Yoga's Hindu Roots

[shahalad]

Namaste, Yoginis and Yogin.

The Truth About Yoga discussion inspired me to create this topic. I believe that while one obviously does not have to be Hindu (or a Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh) to practice or teach Yoga--one should appreciate the religion and culture that produced it.

Every Yogashala (not Yoga Studio) worth its name should have at least one icon of a Hindu god. Every class should begin with the Invocation to Patanjali (in Sanskrit) and end with an Anjali Mudra. Every asana should only be called by its Sanskrit name. Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh) Pilates. Let's discuss.

[amritaraj]

Basically I agree with you (about the yogashalas), although every teaching has to be adapted to the level of the student (with the hope that they will advance). However, didn't yoga originate with the rishis, and can they be said to Hindu?

Namaste

[Arjun]

One needs to understand where yoga comes from and what it is in relation to "Hinduism". The first time the word Yoga appears anywhere in history is in the Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Lord Krishna. The word Hinduism is not found in the "Hindu" religion. In fact there is no such thing as the Hindu religion. Hindu comes from Sindhu (a river), the Persians or Arabs called the people who lived in India "Hindus", in their language "S" becomes "H". For instance in Persian the Asura of Indian Vedic mythology became the Ahura of Persian mythology. So the Sindhus or river people became called Hindus, this is because their cities were almost exclusively around the great rivers Sarasvati, Indus or Ganges. The religions of these people came to be called "Hinduism" by the British. In fact there is no religion called Hinduism, its a label that means the various religions based on the common ancient Yoga Texts and Vedas. Yoga is the religion of "Hindus". There are different types of yoga. Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti yoga, etc. Bhakti Yoga is what most of the people in India follow. This is what the British called "Hinduism".

Chanting mantras and praying to a diety etc is part of the "Sadhana" of the Bhakti Yoga system. It is not a cult activity, in fact 85% of Hindus follow this as their religious or yoga practice. Yoga is a religion, the Asanas or meditative teachniques are one aspect of the Yoga system or religion. The Upanishads and the rest of the Vedic texts are the philosophical aspect of the Yoga system. They deal with explaining the nature of reality, the conclusion or Vedanta of this philosophy is argued about within the various Yoga schools or Sampradayas. Essentially there are Two schools of thought that predominate. There is the Shankara school who are called Advaitins or followers of A-Dvaita, or non-duality. They teach that the ultimate goal of Yoga is to attain mukti or moksha, which to them means to attain a consciousness free from seeing duality in the world and recognizing everything as an illusion. Ultimately everything is One and returns to the state of Oneness after attaining liberation through Yoga. It's more complex then this but this is the basic idea. Merging our consciousness with the universal consciousness or Brahman is considered the height or goal of the yoga path.

The other main Yoga ideology [Bhakti Yoga] teaches that Brahman or the universal consciousness is a thinking, willing, person. In this Yoga the goal is to realize the truth of the existence of Bhagavan or Purusha, the Supreme Being, Para Brahman.Instead of seeking to merge our consciousness into the universal "Brahman" the goal is to realize our eternal role as a companion of the Person-who-is-Brahman. Moksha or Mukti in these traditions is to ultimately live and play with the Supreme Being in a Heavenly realm, called by various names depending on the tradition, Vaikuntha, Goloka etc.85% of the "Hindu" population believe in the concept of Bhakti Yoga, i.e belief in a Person-who-is-Brahman. Chanting or Mantra Yoga is done in all Yoga schools, although it has different philosophical meanings in different traditions. This is the basics and very simple, the depth of each of these ideas fill thousands of ancient yoga texts.

This site http://www.hinduism.co.za/schools.htm gives an overview of the major schools of Vedanta, the philosophy of Yoga. Although the site is run by a proponent of a specific school and gives preference to the Advaita school, still it gives a good over view of the main yoga traditions.

[amritaraj]

A couple of comments, and then I'll focus more directly on the original topic Shalahad wishes to discuss; namely, "Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh Pilates. Let's discuss."

First of all, let me clarify some I said. I replied to Shalahad by saying that yoga came from the rishis. By this statement I was referring to its eternal and timeless aspect, its nature as a revealed truth. I think this is a fair statement with scriptural support. I tend to think of the rishis as being universalists and as having ennunciated universal principals, which then later have come to be associated with a particular religion, Hinduism, which contains a wide variety of sects/paths/schools/practices or whatever terms one prefers. Of course we should keep in mind the view about 'Hinduism' that Arjun articulates, namely that "there is no religion called Hinduism, its a label that means the various religions based on the common ancient Yoga Texts and Vedas." Fair enough, a common view, but not one shared by all 'Hindus': in any case yoga then just becomes associated with that family of religions. Same difference, a semantic and technical issue.

In the same sense one could, fairly, object that the term 'Hatha Yoga' should be used instead of just 'Yoga. But the most important point is that we understand each other.So back to "Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh Pilates.)" Leaving aside the apparent aspersion on the noble activity of Pilates, I think the question really boils down, in part, 'What is real Hatha Yoga?' Yikes!, anyone want to tackle that? My short answer would be that I should conform with the scriptural teachings, but then... how many western hatha yogis, not to mention teachers!, practice real brahmacharya? So we all fall short of the mark, and in a sense we are (almost) all divorcing our practice from its spiritual roots.

I think your question also leads to another question, one that I hope people will respond to: ' How commonly does Hatha Yoga which is begun only for physical reasons awaken spiritual interests?' My feeling is fairly often, and thus if someone's inclination is to practice hatha yoga 'without the Hinduism', i.e. only for physical benefits, then that should be looked favourably upon. As their physical vehicle becomes purified conscious is also somewhat purified.

More on the early use of the term 'yoga':

There are uses of the term 'yoga' before its appearance in the Bhagavad Gita. It is used once in the Tattariya, Upanishad (2.4.1). David Frawley claims "Yoga can be traced back to the Rig Veda itself, the oldest Hindu text which speaks about yoking our mind and insight to the Sun of Truth. Great teachers of early Yoga include the names of many famous Vedic sages like Vasishta, Yajnavalkya, and Jaigishavya." But I think the usage of the term in the Rg Veda occurs in a compound form, and there are different views as to its meaning. Can anyone cast further light on this?

I like Frawley by the way, but sometimes I think he might push the dates for his claims a bit farther back in the past than current evidence warrants. Possible the olderst reference to yoga occurs in the form of the famous image of the statue of Pasupati (?) meditating (?) in half-lotus from Mohendro-daro, part of the Indus civilisation, or Harrapan culture, flourished from 2500 BC to 1500 BC., thus making it an earlier, or later possible reference to yoga, depending on the actual dates of the Rg Veda.

I think I better stick a sock in it for now. (Question does this comment violate ahimsa?)

Namaste.

[Viraagi]

I am very impressed by the way both Amritraj ji and Arjun ji..totally do not answer Shahalad ji's questions...I agree with Shahalad ji..(but I am not so strict. I would like yoga shala's to have some Hindu/Indian Icon to show gratitude)

I have often heard Yoga is from the "rishis"..it is UNIVERSAL...no one can claim it..agreed baba...but can you point out to one rishi who practiced hatha yoga (let's simplify and say asanas, bandhas, mudra, pranayam) before Nath Yogi's GorakhNath and Matsyendranath came into picture?? go to Varanasi/Rishikesh and explain to Nath Order of Yogi's saying.."Yoga is Universal..It is not Hindu"..then we can continue this discussion further..

Yours truly
Viraagi

[cathy]

If the owner of the studio does not "believe" in the Hindu Gods, why should they place an icon in their studio? Why not teach the asanas in both Sanskrit and the language of the country you live in?

Yoga does not belong to Hinduism. No icons in my studio.... but a love and respect for all....

Isn't this enough?

Peace,
Cathy

[Arjun]

You take what you like & you discard what you don't saying you don't believe in it as if it is an optional component.

Yoga is just a synoym for Hinduism.

[amritaraj]

The problem with having a Hindu symbol in a yoga studio is that it will put some people off from pracitising hatha yoga who would otherwise benefit from yoga practice. Isn't it better that hatha yoga be presented in a variety of ways - i.e. both with and without symbols - so that a fuller range of personality types are drawn to it and have the opportunity to purify their mind's. What's more important the symbol or the practice?

As much as I love India and Hinduism, I think a yogi's real loyalty should be to Truth, and hence he or she should avoid potentially divisive temporal or nationalistic allegiances.

Yoga is a part of Hinduism but isn't Hinduism a a part of 'Sanatan Dharma' - the eternal religion/dharma/truth. The real religion is Truth and Truth must be eternal and universal or else it is not True; thus It can't really be claimed by any nation or group of people. Truth is eternal and universal, It can have greater temporal manifestations in certain times, places, but it can't be claimed by any of these places, just as we, ultimately, don't belong to these places either.

The Gorakhnathis themselves, though often said by historians to be the originators of Hatha yoga (although archeological evidence of yogic poses and practices predates them by many millenia) understand this very well, and they actually teach that their sect, and thus hatha yoga, existed before the world was created.

Namaste.

[cathy]

Yoga is not a synonym for Hinduism. And its not what I like... it is what I believe; as in my religious belief system. I am not Hindu. I do not practice Hinduism. I do practice yoga. I do not believe in the Hindu Gods. I do have respect for them. I do believe in the power of words and I will not chant words to something that is irrelevant to what I believe. So yes, it is optional.

So if what you write is true... then may be only people who practice Hinduism should practice yoga. But then I must ask why did the masters send their teachers to the west.... to convert the masses?.. or was it just to get some of those nice US dollars? Or was it to share their love of yoga. I like to think it is the latter. But hey, I may be wrong.

Yoga touches people's hearts regardless of religion. There doesn't seem to be a need for icons. Only an open heart and a willing spirit.

When any individual attempts to enforce his or her views or practices on another I have to wonder why?

Regardless, I will continue to practice yoga, with no icon, no chanting Hindu Gods names, .... only with an open heart.

[Viraagi]

By placing icons, you do not create a gap/divide in humanity. You celebrate diversity by appreciating facts. For instance, the number "Zero" came from India, by accepting have you created a divide between all people who use the number zero in their daily lives?? no...you appreciate the and acknowledge fact..same thing..

I never said Hinduism be practiced, or chanting needs to be done or even Hindu Gods be respected. If you read my original post, I said 'Indian/Hindu Icons'. I felt all Yogashalas need to pay gratitude, for Yoga provides them with livelihood and it an
activity they thoroughly love. Wouldn't you acknowledge the source of love? Why are millions of Yoga studios cropping up every minute? (Yoga has turned into a 27 Billion dollar industry, mats, beads, Yoga studios, incence stick..what not??) Is it just to cash in on its popularity..Is it for love of those nice US dollars? OR is it to share their love of Yoga..I'll like to think it is the latter..But hey, I may be wrong..

And do you really believe by placing Hindu Icons you'll turn into Hindu? If that is the case I have been to a Mosque, Synagogue and Church a few hundred times. So I have turned Moslem, Jewish and Christian?? Placing of Icons was about showing gratitude and not about converting into religions.

Okay I am not going to discuss if Yoga is Hindu or not..But can we atleast agree on one thing - 'Yoga came from India'..Can atleast the place where it came from needs to be appreciated...Or did Yoga come from California??

Yours truly
Viraagi

[justwannabe]

if yoga came from the divine, and the divine is everywhere, then yoga came from everywhere? maybe yoga was experienced in the cave man days a million years ago but not put down on paper so we may never know where it really originated from, Just a thought. I do understand about acknowledging the past and respecting it. Respect what those before us has helped us with understanding, but also out of respect we can refine and improve upon. Some people call others, his holiness, and things of the such. Personally I do not agree with those labels because all people are equal, no matter what they achieve I appreciate what prophets teach us but I also appreciate what drug addicts teach us. One helps us to understand a better way to live and one reminds us of a more challenging way that we turn from. I can read about buhda and what he has done to help me gain insight, but I would not hold him up on high, especially since I never met him. I may meet a person and be able to say, now that person has done good things, but I would not call them a great person, cause all people are great and serve a purpose. I dont know, just rambling

[justwannabe]

to addd some more thoughts
in regards to chanting, according to some of the reading I have been doing, certain sounds have effects on the body, and some can have very strong effects. according to yoga documentation some people have developed enough control over their voice that they ended up doing extrordinary things. supposedly people have been healed through sound. A chant of the word OM for 20 minutes is supposed to realax every atom in the body. Science is now learning how sound can break glass and make things explode but in yoga this has been known for a long time now. I do know that when in yoga class and we say OM at the begining and OM at the end, sometimes the OM at the end will feel so powerful it gives me chills. Just more random thoughts

in yoga/life, be open to the possibilities
seeker

[cathy]

I went back and read your original thread. I wondered what it was that hit a nerve with me.

You wrote:
(1) Yogashala (not Yoga Studio) worth its name should have at least one icon of a Hindu god.

(2) Every class should begin with the Invocation to Patanjali (in Sanskrit) and end with an Anjali Mudra.

(3) Every asana should only be called by its Sanskrit name.

(4) Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh) Pilates.

(5) Let's discuss.

The key word in each segment of your statement is the word "should".

Did you really want to "discuss" this issue? Or are we to just do what you say just because... of what? because you said so?

The importance or rather the intensity of the word "should" indicates no room for any differences in practice.

Regarding Indian culture or religion... Do you live in India? If so, what caste are you? What is your socio-economic level? Are you educated? Or are you part of the 85% of the population that has only 15% of the money? Was your sister killed in a dowry death incident? Did your aunt put your cousin's arm in boiling oil so that when begging your cousin would receive more money? Did your brother suffer from polio as a child and now limps or is on a respirator?

The majority of Indians do not practice yoga. They live everyday just trying to get by.

Do I respect Indian culture... my question is "what part"? I do not respect the way people behavior towards others. The dowry deaths, the mutilations, the poverty, the caste system (that really does still exist), the haves and have nots.

To show respect for others.... all people.... I truly believe this is the key to yoga in a worldly respect. To calm the mind in order to eventually feel the divine is the purpose.

As westerners we have this idea that India is this mystical place where spirituality is ever present in all people, and if we just go there we will "see" God when all we really have to do is look into our own heart.

The place where I practice is a special place. A place is quiet, a transformative place. It is a place of comfort.... It is mine. Not yours with your "should have" items/behaviors in place.

I do wish you well. I'm done posting here. Not really worth the effort.

[justwannabe]

if something really bothers us whos fault is it? If you blame it on someone else taking responsibility for it might be a good first step. In yoga one of the ideals is to become uneffected, detached from things so you can see clearly. If we get too caught up in things we may loose focus on the biger picture and focus on the one gray cloud.
good luck in the journey
seeker

[justwannabe]

Originally Posted by PatR

Dear Cathy,see a psychiatrist and get diagnosed, figure out what you really have before you pull out a gun & shoot yourself in the head. I think it is Schizophrenia (subtype paranoia) . Whatever, but yoga is just not enough for you.

that is a pretty bold statement. If cathy does have issues does that make you entitled to make a statement such as this? Would a yogi do this? does this mean you should look into areas your yoga might be lacking as well?

Just thoughts
seeker (hb)

[Viraagi]

The word 'must' would have indicated narrow mindedness..not the word 'should'..Had you practiced any Yoga at all, you would not have made this comment..For the first time in our discussion I felt, you stooped low..

'Did your brother suffer from polio as a child and now limps or is on a respirator?'

So you are saying because people have diseases their culture is of low value?? I am glad you have a special place to practice yoga..or else among all the rich/educated 'KKK' Pedophilics (yes..KKK is still flourshing..and you also know for a fact that infant, not child, infant prostitution is flourishing in Bali/Indonesia/Thailand, thanks only ------) practicing yoga is really hard..

..I too like having the last word..so..we'll end our discussion here..

[Rashmi]

Dear friends,
in reply to question whether yoga should be taken from hindu roots i would like to reply,
first of all the word hindu has come into existence into last 5000 years . if you read any authentic scripture like vedas, upnishad etc it is referred as sanatan dharama i.e present day hinduism./Yoga is a part of immortal vedas. there are 4 vedas rig veda, sam veda, yajurveda and atharv veda.Rishi patanjali has chosen one topic i.e yoga out of vedas and written his commenteries of yoga. So it is incorrect to say that yoga should be taken of its root sanatan dharma/hinduism.the pranayam, the om (the eternal truth) the astangh yoga philosophy is a integral part of vedas which are called shruti.A realised yogai only can understand the mystical hidden meaning of vedas other than literal meaning.please refer to site vedmandir.com.A child can not be seaparated from mother.So you can never dissociate yoga from sanatan dharama/hinduism. worshipping of god is your choice.as per vedas god is formless.Vedas is the soul basis of santan dharma.Ancient seers and realised yogi are thats why called gyani.Vedas contain science,yoga,worsip ,and ayurveda which is taught by realised gyanis.Yoga with out the knowledge of vedas is incomplete.Samveda and yajur veda talks of worship and yoga. ancient rishis have chosen one - one topic of vedas and written their commentries on subjects of veda eg patanji, kapil, vyasa, sayan etc.the almighty after listening to authentic preach of vedas is realised by the grace of guru after the hard practice of astang yoga only.

[Hubert]

I think yoga is universal as practice. Once you name it, however, as yoga, you cannot separate it from the culture what was it's initial home. The sanskrit names and specific mentality gives a certain exotic flavor, what might be appealing to beginners, or extroverted people. But when you go deeper, yoga is deeply human, and such, it is universal. Everyone moves, breathes, eats, thinks and feels. All this is human, and all this is yoga. Yoga is not a religion. In my opinion, religions are organised ritualistic activities what differ based on cultural, geographic and historical particularities, but their goal is the same. I am sure yoga preceeds the Vedas. So it can't be tied just to hinduism. But if you are hindu, it makes sense to practice yoga as a hindu. That does not mean one can't practice yoga as a christian or even somone who is not religious. Of course, religion can be much useful. I don't want to discard the spiritual experience built up in centuries. But ideintifying with a certain religion can't be used to judge others. It is like wearing a red shirt and everyone who wears other colors are wrong.

[InnerAthlete]

"Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh) Pilates. Let's discuss"

A clearer question or statement in this case, might lead to a clearer discourse.

What does "pulled from it's Hindu roots" mean? If that means cleansed of it's lineage that would lead to one discourse. If it means yoga IS hindu religion, then that is another.

Is this a prompt for a discussion of "is yoga a religion"?
One of the larger questions about this post is also the larger question of asana practice, as we know it here in the west; what evolutionary purpose is it serving?

[Rashmi]

The aim of yoga is to free the soul from the effect of three qualities of prakriti (Material cause of the Universe including our bodies) and by doing so it enables a man to achieve final liberation i.e., realization of Almighty God.


UPANISHAD SAYS :

" The devotee who has purified himself by destroying the dirt of false knowledge and sins by the power of Yoga, he only does feel the merriment / ,pleasure of realization God. This utmost realization merriment and realization is not a subject of speaking because it is an intuition."

YOGA DARSHAN AUTHENTICATES:

"Tada Darashtuhu Swarupa Avasthanam "

Meaning: With the power of Yoga there becomes an end of all dead evils and false knowledge, then the soul ( sear) realises himself. Here the soul remains in his own nature. We can say Yoga is a Union of Soul and God.

It is not out of mention to see that in the absence of Yoga Education, a life becomes full of sorrows ills, problems and tense etc. In reality in the absence of Yoga knowledge no one can achieve good health, long life and good prospects. Similarly Lord Krishna in chapter -6 Sloka 17 of Bhagwat Gita Says:

"Yogo Bhavati Dukhaha."

Meaning: Yoga is a destroyer of all kinds of sufferings.

Please see the condition full of joy of a devotee who attains the stage of Samadhi through the power of Yoga and thus he drinks ' SOMA' .What type of super natural words he uses in his spiritual intoxicated condition due to the effect of 'SOMA'

A. For me the earth and sun both are not even equivalent to my one arm, because I have drunk 'SOMA'

Note:- This is a joyful condition of a devotee who has attained Samadhi.

B: Oh, I am so happy that why not I must place this earth from one place to another, because I have drunk 'SOMA'
C. My five senses neither affects me nor can make me greedy because I have drunk 'SOMA' ( Rig. Veda 10/119/6,7,and 9 )

After attaining the stage of samadhi the yogi enjoys within himself. He then becomes emotional and his emotions attains the highest stage of spiritual intoxication due to the effect of 'SOMA'.
However the actual meaning of word, 'SOMA' needs clarification as in todays world it is totally misconceived. The ignorant people understand 'SOMA' as wine and call it an intoxicant for the Rishis and Munis. This is false statement due to lack of deep study of Vedas and Yoga knowledge.
'SOMA' is an ancient Shata Pathe Brahmin Holy Book by Yaska Muni is : "Satyam Shri Jyotihi Soma" and "Anrite Papma Tamah Sura.
Meaning:- Here the 'Soma' is satyam shri and Jyotihi. Satyam = Truth, Shri = Venerable and Jyhotihi = Light.
All three wrods, i.e. satyam Shri and Jyotihi thus are adjective of Almighty God. So the meaning of 'Soma' is God. Who is a Truth, Venerable and Light. Therefore, 'Soma' is =God = realized in Samadhi. So 'Soma' is also samadhi stage.

Now we came to the meaning of sura in the above Holy Book. Here Sura is Anrite, Papma and Tamah. Anrite =Falsehood , papma = sins and tamah = Darkness and Sura=Wine

Note: Falsehood, sins and darkness are related with bad deeds concerning with illusion. So wine is falsehood, Sins and Darkness.

Therefore, where 'soma' is God, Truth and light etc, there Sura is totally in opposite.
The 'Soma ' is an experience of a devotee who has completely absorbed soul (Himself ), within the utmost bliss of joy, but only after attaining the stage of Samadhi, i.e. realisation of God.
From the above we come to a conclusion that where vedas and other Holy Books decribes spiritual philosophy and other like matters, the Yoga Education gives spiritual eyes and unables a devotee to see and realize description right from an atom to the stage of creation and even the Creator. Why should not we then adopt it?
It should be accepted that Yoga knowledge blessed by God is a duty to be discharged by all concerned.

the first guru
The fundamental to gain the knowledge is that until and unless it is not given by anybody else, it cannot be listened and cannot, therefore, be contained in mind failing which it cannot be used in action. This is why someone is badly needed to preach. For example, let a newly born baby be earmarked to live in a lonely cave in a dense jungle.
If we take care of him by all means but do not make any verbal contact for his any type of education, thus we will find that when he will even attain age of twenty five years ,he will remain ignorant, foolish. When we will keep him out of cave in the open air, he will not know even any languages or worldly knowledge either spiritual or materialistic.
Question arises, "Why he remained ignorant or foolish or illiterate?" The answer is very clear that he was not provided with his mother, the first teacher and he was not provided with any Rishi or Guru for spiritual/materialistic education etc. Now a days too, the races are still living in the dense jungles separated from the modern world's civilization, are still illiterate and they even do not wear the clothes. In this connection again another question arises, "Why the seven days of week, twelve months in a year the names of cow, horses, trees etc are the same at every part of the world."
Keeping aside the languages if we think unprejudiced then we will come to the conclusion that somebody has taught us to pronounce mother as mother, father as father ,brother as brother ,tree as tree ,water as water, blood as blood, man as man, woman as woman at every part of the world and somebody has definitely taught us the science and deep knowledge of Yoga, Karmas, worship etc.

The oldest several holy books and the Rishis have already invented the answer thereof. In this connection Patanjali Rishi his Yoga Darshan has also cheerfully recited his experiences towards the facts after study of Vedas,Topasya, trust in God ,hard Yoga practice and when he achieved the last and final motto of human life is SAMADHI i.e. realization of God.
His superb words of realisation are quoted in Yoga Darshan as under:

"Sah Eshah purvesham api Guruhu kalena anavachhedat".

Meaning: -The God is the Guru of the ancient Rishis also, being beyond the limitation and calculation of time.

Comments: - God is immortal. He was before the creation. He is present from the time of creation and will remain when the time will come of destruction. He will remain after the destruction too. That is why he will continue the creation as usual, and will remain again Guru of the new creation. But open the other hand human being will not remain alive for ever, and traditional Guru knowledge will be finished in human life At the time of total destruction of the world.

Vedas are originated by God and Yoga knowledge has been preached in Vedas. See Rishi Yagvalk Smiriti`s Shaloka. "Hiranya Garbha Yogasya Vakta". Hiranya Garbh mean- God,Yogasya =of Yoga,Vakta=Teacher. So God is teacher of Yoga knowledge.
So the result of deep study of vedas, Shastras, Bhagwat Geeta, Ramayana and other holy books concludes that the first Guru of our ancient Rishis is almighty God. Thereafter, the Rishis/Munis/Acharyas/Gurus have been teaching us the spiritualism/materialistic knowledge up till now.

[Mirjana]

Originally Posted by shahalad

Namaste, Yoginis and Yogin.

The Truth About Yoga discussion inspired me to create this topic. I believe that while one obviously does not have to be Hindu (or a Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh) to practice or teach Yoga--one should appreciate the religion and culture that produced it.

Every Yogashala (not Yoga Studio) worth its name should have at least one icon of a Hindu god. Every class should begin with the Invocation to Patanjali (in Sanskrit) and end with an Anjali Mudra. Every asana should only be called by its Sanskrit name. Anyone who believes that Yoga can be pulled from its Hindu roots would be better off doing (ugh) Pilates. Let's discuss.

Can you tell me what is the purpose of your suggestion?
I think one can express the appreciation in a different manners. Deeper the knowledge, deeper the appreciation. If yours is true I'm sure people will follow your example without telling them so.

[Alix]

I just read through this thread. Why on earth would anyone make a comment about seeing a psychiatrist because someone else stated their opinion? That was uncalled for.

It interests me to see the diverse opinions here. It also interested me to see how leading the OP was in starting the discussion. While strong opinions are good, its also good to be tolerant of others beliefs.

I think that yoga has become so mainstream these days that one can not insist upon things that are basically religious icons being prominently displayed. This sounds very much like a "purist" discussion. Whether yoga must remain pure and unsullied or not. Who gets to make the decision about what is acceptable or not?