YOGA?

Yoga- what is yoga? Why would I practice? What can it do for us or is it just a "hippie pastime"?

I am no expert, but so far on my yoga journey I am going to detail as much as I can to the lay person as possible in easy-to-understand manor.

I know that before the bible was written Vedic scripture was synthesized. This is a collection of mantras focused on the spiritual awakening of man through actions, physicality and many other interesting observances of life known to bring the human closer to the divine. These date back to almost 2000BCE (https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Vedas/)

Yoga comes from the root Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning to "bind, attach, union, communion"

it purports union with one god, through powers of mind spirit and body. Yoga is one of six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. It has a deep and rich history and much to delve into and contemplate.

As time went on more sects and additional paths were added- as in the bible New Testament and other works dating from different periods were added to the ancient texts. where this is founded in India also has roots with many ancient cultures with which who do not share all the same practices but many. Tantra specifically was added which defined practice further, adding mantra, breath and body to focus on the spirit and detach.

In these teachings there is no "self-love" only awareness of reality and the nuances of it somehow all come to gather in understanding.

As in the Old Testament- idolatry is not a part of this practice. Yogis use poses to relate to the sun or moon or warriors and these poses are to inhibit, to attract to extend gratitude or to balance ourselves through the morals we all know from the bible. in addition, another sect stemming from tantra came the 8 sutras of yoga, by partially - this goes even deeper, explaining how through breathwork, physical practice, detachment and awareness through mind chatter we can come to a complete understanding with life and be utterly content with it. in this ever moving and crippling fast paced world yoga is needed for all of us; I’d say!

The sutras go even deeper to explain cleanliness, theft, violence, and many other aspects of human existence in the form of sutras or short mantras able to be written in 10 or less pages (the originals)

Ayurveda, Tantra, the Sutras and all the compilated material up to the present is what makes up the whole of our yoga practice. We use these in coordination to promote homeostasis in our bodies and to promote the best life experience in our spiritual and physical experience. Other ideas are explored like balance, weight bearing and becoming an observer of the experience instead of “the” experience.

These are very superficial outlines of yoga. We should practice yoga to garner a better understanding of it. For physicality and spiritual strength.

"The real meaning of Yoga is a deliverance form contact with pain and sorrow" - Light on Yoga BKS Iyengar

“Yoga, as a way of life and philosophy, can be practiced by anyone with inclination to undertake it, for yoga belongs to humanity as a whole. It is not the property of any one group or any one individual, but can be followed by any and all, in any corner of the globe, regardless of class, creed, or religion.”

— Pattabhi Jois

Join me Sundays for intro to Yoga 🙂

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