Misconceptions of Yoga

One time someone told me they do not practice Yoga because they are a Christian.  This brings me to my next blog the misconceptions of Yoga.  While Yoga may be in Religions, the many Yoga practices with body, breath and mind, along with their transcendent with body, breath, and mind, along with their transcedent goal of direct experience, are generally neither characteristic of Religions, nor typically practiced by the adherents of Religions.  Yoga means union.  It is the joining together the aspects of ourselves which were never divided in the first place.  To say that the word Yoga itself is a religion makes as much sense as saying that the words Union or Holistic are themselves religions.  http://www.swamij.com/religion.htm  As I mentioned Yoga is a path to greater personal freedom, health, long life, and heightened self- understanding and ultimately self-realization.  Believe it or not I have been asked about religion and Yoga on more than one occassion.  I am a Christian and I see it as a great way to show your and dependence on God through a Yoga practice by moving inward and becoming self aware.  Shavasana at the end of practice the surrender of all things and the vulnerability that shows.  It is a way to look at life through love and giving every day a purpose.  This creates so much freedom in your every day life and therefore can bring you closer to God.  It has helped me discover new awareness in my life and helped with my walk with God.  Yoga is a celebration of life, movement, and breath.  I guess that can be confusing to compare that to religion, but the worshipper if that is what you choose is your choice.  It provides so many great benefits to your life and body.   Yes some religions use Yoga in their worship, but Yoga itself is not a religion it is your path to your self-realization.  Enjoy your Yoga and your God through celebration together in life.  Yoga did change my life and it continues to change my life not because of finding a new religion, but because I found myself and increased my awarenes that brought me closer to God.  Continue your Yoga journey and celebrate your life every day!