What is Yoga?
Yoga is a practice that includes the mind, body, and soul. It evolved back in the Vedic age. Some people practice Yoga as a religion now. But the fact is that Yoga is not a religion but is a practice that many people across the globe adopt to get peace and maintain harmony.
It involves meditation, which has been a part of society for ages. Many believe that Yoga is a part of the great religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, and others. But the fact is that great people of all these religions have obtained spiritual experiences through Yoga.
Yoga is not a Religion
Yoga is not a religion by itself or a part of any religion. All religious teachers have expressed that the soul is immortal and it emerges from a source that is higher and greater than it. All religions believe that the soul belongs to the divine, and realizing this can bring eternal bliss and freedom. All the teachings of the religious teachers of different religions are similar, leading to one same Truth.
Yoga is universal, and a Yogi must not be bound by any particular religious faith to practice Yoga. India is indeed the traditional home of Yoga, but this does not mean that it cannot be practiced by anyone else and is just the monopoly of Indians only. Regardless of religion, race, or country, everyone has the right to practice Yoga.
It does not bind a person to specific cultural beliefs leading to prejudices but guides them to independently and directly experience the Truth personally. Yoga enables an individual to establish a relationship with the Divine as per their psychological tendency. The practice of Yoga today provides teachings to people of all religions and cultures across the globe, which is proof of its bound approach and universality.
Yoga is a Science
Science has proved that the universe revolves around the same energy; On the contrary, yoga means to become one. Yoga gives you all your energy at once while keeping you healthy and fit. Many tools and machinery are now available which help repair and maintain any damaged product. Similarly, yoga does the same for you and is used to repair and maintain body and soul.
Yoga will not give you any religion but will give you a method to follow. It will help you better understand your mind, body, emotions, and actions. Today, yoga is used by many people for medical purposes. It helps in curing asthma and other types of diseases. Many studies have also proved that yoga lowers BMI (body mass index) and cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack.
By practicing yoga, you can save a lot of money on machines and equipment at the gym. It benefits people who do not like to work out in gyms and those who work in gym complexes. Yoga is one such practice that will help you to rejuvenate and modify yourself constantly.
Yoga helps us learn how to overcome our physical and mental problems to improve our outlook on life. Practicing with discipline and in the right way helps improve a person’s well-being. Thus, yoga forms a solution for people to maintain inner peace, and anything beneficial to humans on earth is not necessarily bound to be a religion. It is important to note that yoga is a science, not fiction.
It is a science worth observing. Yoga, whether a science or a religion, has to follow an integrated system of laws and guidelines to achieve its desired result. Meditation techniques and focusing the mind are essential to eliminate any misconceptions. Proper breathing, relaxation, and thinking play an important role in maintaining the belief system in a person.
Hahaha well this is just a straight up lie to keep profiting off of an Indigenous religion and make everyone feel better about it.
Dear Sydney,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog post about Yoga. I appreciate your perspective, but I respectfully disagree with your statement that Yoga is an indigenous religion.
Yoga originated in ancient India thousands of years ago and has evolved as a scientific discipline focused on individuals’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. While it is true that Yoga has roots in Hinduism, it is essential to note that it is not a religion in and of itself, nor is it tied to any specific religious belief or dogma.
Furthermore, as a Yoga practitioner and teacher, I intend to share the benefits of this ancient practice with others in a respectful and inclusive way of all cultures and beliefs. I do not seek to profit off of anyone or anything but rather to spread awareness and understanding of the transformative power of Yoga.
I invite you to explore Yoga further and join me in celebrating its universal message of peace, compassion, and self-realization.
Namaste, Hatha Yoga School Rishikesh