What is Yoga?
Yoga is a practice that includes the mind, body, and soul. It evolved in the Vedic age. Some people practice Yoga as a religion now. However, Yoga is not a religion but a practice that many people around the globe adopt to achieve peace and maintain harmony.
It involves meditation, which has been a part of society for ages. Many believe Yoga is part of the great religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, and others. However, great people from all these religions have had 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 emerges from a source that is higher and greater than it. All religions believe that the soul is divine, and realising this can bring eternal bliss and freedom. The teachings of religious teachers of different religions are similar, leading to the 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 can only be practised by Indians and is inaccessible to others. Regardless of religion, race, or country, everyone has the right to practice Yoga.
Yoga does not bind a person to specific cultural beliefs that lead to prejudices, but guides them to experience the Truth personally and independently. It enables an individual to establish a relationship with the Divine according to their psychological tendency. The practice of Yoga today offers teachings to people of all religions and cultures around the globe, which is proof of its broad 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 machines are now available to help repair and maintain damaged products. Similarly, Yoga does the same for you and is used to repair and maintain body and soul.
Yoga does not give you any religion, but a method to follow. It will help you better understand your mind, body, emotions, and actions. Today, many people use Yoga for medical purposes. It helps in curing asthma and other types of diseases. Many studies have also shown that Yoga lowers BMI (body mass index) and cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attacks.
Practising Yoga can save you money on gym machines and equipment. It benefits people who dislike working out in gyms and those who work in gym complexes. Yoga is one such practice that helps you rejuvenate and evolve constantly.
Yoga helps us learn how to overcome physical and mental challenges, which in turn improves our outlook on life. Practising discipline in the right way helps improve a person’s well-being. Thus, Yoga is 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, must follow an integrated system of laws and guidelines to achieve its desired results. Meditation techniques and focusing the mind are essential to eliminating any misconceptions. Proper breathing, relaxation, and clear thinking are crucial in maintaining a person’s belief system.
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