Today a student ask me that whether Yoga belongs to Hindus. It is a very common question that is always in a debate. Let understand what is Hinduism? Hinduism is a arabic word which describes the people who live on other side of Sindhu river. Basically it is known as Sanatan Dharma which means everlasting teachings. So unlike Islam, Buddhism or Christainity etc Hinduism has no fixed rules and procedures. It is based that what teaching you accept.
Now Yoga, yoga is a science like physics, mathematics,biology or anyother. Yoga is discovered by people living in Himalayas, same as physics is mainly discovered by west. When Physics, Chemistry etc cannot be a Christian science same way Yoga is also not a Hindu science. Science is not related with the sect or religion of a person who discovered it.
In fact Hinduism is inspired by yoga, yoga is based on formless presence of super power or governing energy, we call as GOD(one who Generate, Operate and Destroy). But as man needs sects so hinduism is a by product where some follow Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna and Shakti. These divisions are merely based on ignorance.
Patanjali says contemplation on seedless entity therefore yoga discards the presence of any form of God. So Patanjali just emphasis on Self study, Austerity and Contemplation on Soul.
Yoga is a universal science, like blood, it has same color and same circulation irrespective for what faith, race and creed you belong........
Showing posts with label call to yogis....Mukesh Kothari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label call to yogis....Mukesh Kothari. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Astanga VS Iyengar yoga
In the modern times as we have a tendency to divide or differentiate among the living or non things like races, regions, world or abstract concepts like religion and philosophy etc and finally we have divided the science of yoga also. Yoga is science for union, it means to join, to integrate but the nature of human mind divided that science. I have taught thousands of student and whenever a new student come, he asked which yoga I teach or do I teach Iyengar or Ashtanga viniyasa? and even some innocent ones ask whether its static or dynamic?
There were basically four types of yoga path are mentioned, Bhakti yoga(Path of devotion), Karma yoga(Path of perfect action), Jnana yoga(Path of Wisdom) and Raja yoga (The royal path).
Hatha yoga the physical approach to yoga is part of Raja yoga and if we go deep you can find that all above mentioned traditional path merge in Raja yoga.
Hatha yoga is one of the main and basic wing for those who are new to the spiritual path, as it is a journey from body to mind via the bridge of breath. It is an application of body, mind and breath. It emphasis on synchronization among three.
But we need division, so we have form styles like Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, Kundalini and so on. In India these divisions dont matter for example Baba Ramdev has healed many through yoga and at the same time showed the path of spirituality whereas in west these divisions are regarded as brands.
In west many teachers are in feud that this style is better than the other one. I have seen a some teachers in Hungary who constantly criticize Ashtanga and can count thousands of disadvantages for it, while other side unfortunately there were some so called ashtangis also who refer other yoga practices as sleeping or passive practices, and doesnt care about allignments.
We all belong to yoga, my master said that we dont choose yoga, it chooses us. But due to illusions or maya we used to compare, we compete in the name of that ancient science that teaches non competitive spirit which is way to ultimate perfection.
This is an absurd concept that whether Ashtanga is good or Iyengar is better, it depends on the individual body, nature and level of practice that which style he or she like to opt. Breath conciousness is the ultimate master, it guides you the real alms of yoga. the role of teacher is mere upto motivate you and bring the extraordinary part from ordinary students.
Patanjali has described the just two tools or instrument for yoga practitioner, first one is practice and other one is practice with sense of non attachment.
Thus we the teachers community have to take some steps and try to stop the tendency to malice other teachers and their way of teachings. We all are directed physically to a goal that requires unity and harmony of an ancient science that we call Hatha yoga.
Finally the choice is yours.....
Aum shanti !
There were basically four types of yoga path are mentioned, Bhakti yoga(Path of devotion), Karma yoga(Path of perfect action), Jnana yoga(Path of Wisdom) and Raja yoga (The royal path).
Hatha yoga the physical approach to yoga is part of Raja yoga and if we go deep you can find that all above mentioned traditional path merge in Raja yoga.
Hatha yoga is one of the main and basic wing for those who are new to the spiritual path, as it is a journey from body to mind via the bridge of breath. It is an application of body, mind and breath. It emphasis on synchronization among three.
But we need division, so we have form styles like Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, Kundalini and so on. In India these divisions dont matter for example Baba Ramdev has healed many through yoga and at the same time showed the path of spirituality whereas in west these divisions are regarded as brands.
In west many teachers are in feud that this style is better than the other one. I have seen a some teachers in Hungary who constantly criticize Ashtanga and can count thousands of disadvantages for it, while other side unfortunately there were some so called ashtangis also who refer other yoga practices as sleeping or passive practices, and doesnt care about allignments.
We all belong to yoga, my master said that we dont choose yoga, it chooses us. But due to illusions or maya we used to compare, we compete in the name of that ancient science that teaches non competitive spirit which is way to ultimate perfection.
This is an absurd concept that whether Ashtanga is good or Iyengar is better, it depends on the individual body, nature and level of practice that which style he or she like to opt. Breath conciousness is the ultimate master, it guides you the real alms of yoga. the role of teacher is mere upto motivate you and bring the extraordinary part from ordinary students.
Patanjali has described the just two tools or instrument for yoga practitioner, first one is practice and other one is practice with sense of non attachment.
Thus we the teachers community have to take some steps and try to stop the tendency to malice other teachers and their way of teachings. We all are directed physically to a goal that requires unity and harmony of an ancient science that we call Hatha yoga.
Finally the choice is yours.....
Aum shanti !
by Mukesh Kothari
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