Is Yoga a Religion?
"Yoga is a worshiping God." ... "Yoga is connecting to a higher being/ consciousness."
Is it ???
What is yoga? What is fundamentally yoga? I came across the topic of yoga being a religion? Can you still practice yoga if you already have a faith? A while back I was asked by @be_real_yoga "yoga means unification with God. When somebody says I'm gonna teach yoga, is it something that they actually MEAN?"
So, I thought I would share my view of what yoga is….dedicate a poem and blog post to it.
Yoga
Popular and on the scene
Compatible to all
Sports, hobbies
And well being
But too scared to try it
Not flexible enough
Not my thing.
Chanting, ohmming
Stretching, breathing
Relaaaaxing?
They’re so many types
Which one is for me?
Ashtanga
Iyengar
Hot or Vin
Hatha or Yin Isn't it all, just yoga?
Essentially...
Basically...
It's movement with breath.
However fast or slow,
Holding for 5 counts
Or moving from flow to flow
Isn't it a religion?
Saluting the sun or something
Or is it worshipping yourself
All this mindfulness
Self love, self care
Self inquiry, self aware
Yoga is personal,
So I can't speak for all.
It is a self practice
An inquiry to the self
It’s taking the time,
To listen
To observe
To slow down
And, reserve.
Recharge reset relaaaxxx Binding, folding
Upside down holding
Learning
About your body, physically
Mentally and emotionally.
Listening Be present to hear
Be kind to not judge,
Be grateful to be happy
Let go, not holding a grudge. Learn to be gentle
Learn to slow down.
Take your time.
Be patient.
Practice, and all will come. Be in the now
Mindful and present. Learn to be with yourself,
Comfortably, mindfully
And most importantly,
Peacefully and gratefully.
Yoga for me, isn't the union with God. (I don't believe in God, I guess I do believe there is something of a higher being/consciousness). I respect and loved my authentic traditional yoga training and don’t disregard any of its teaching. However for me as an instructor, passing on what I resonate with is all about is listening to yourself. Practicing self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-love and self-care both on and off the mat. For me, it isn't worshiping a god, chanting, prayers, teaching in Sanskrit. It is about, creating a platform for people to access the teachings of yoga for what it fundamentally is. (I still personally practice, indulge and have alot respect for this part of yoga.)
Yoga is a personal practice in which self inquiry leads to self-acceptance, self-love, self-compassion and self-care. It is taking time to "recharge", so that we can give to others from a place of genuine kindness and love. (#cantpourfromanemptycup) Personally, for me yoga is a practice to free oneself from overwhelming thoughts, emotions, daily schedules, to do lists, to zone out. The aim is freedom; to let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore. It is a practice to liberate, create space, to let go. Cultivating space, so that we can be ourselves, be our best self – to serve and interact with others as a social species; yoga instructor, student, sister, brother daughter, son, friend, partner, mummy, wife, husband, dad, stranger…
So...Is yoga a practice to worship a God? In all honesty, yoga is a personal practice so it is what you want it to be. If that means you connect to a higher consciousness, then yes! If it is just ‘stretching on a mat’, then yes! If it’s a place to de-stress, a moment to yourself, then also yes! Any worshiping that is involved in my practice or class is worshiping oneself. Check in physically, mentally and emotionally – whatever you feel presently, accept it and allow yourself to be with it. It is a personal practice and a practice to get to know yourself mindfully and gratefully.
Do You, Do Yoga. Do what feels most authentic to you.
…………
To join me for a yoga class:
I am teaching a one-off yoga event with @Vflowemma, tomorrow at Ziferblat Edge St. for Manchester4Water.
Tuesday| Hatha | 18:30 | Ziferblat Edge St
Friday | Hatha, Yin | 5pm, 6pm | Withington Baths
