The practice of yoga has swept the world with an enthusiasm never seen before. Yoga has achieved the status of a mass cultural phenomena, evident from the fact that there are around 300 million yoga practitioners in the world and it is an 80-billion-dollar market.
As the fourth fastest growing industry in the USA, it generates 30 billion dollars annually (16 billion from yoga facilities and 10 billion from yoga mats and other yoga props).
To start with, these numbers are indicative of a sudden surge in the business of this ancient philosophical tradition of India. Few of the other ancient arts of world civilisations have survived, sustained and soared to the heights that yoga has.
The credit for this goes to its applicability to every age that the human species has survived. Yoga is one of the rarest of the rare sciences, to have lived through scientific revolutions, technological innovations, and modernisations.
The fact that yoga is recognised and revered in a world progressing towards evidence-based, result-oriented and relational practices makes it a science par excellence.
The prodigious popularity and the overwhelming universal adoption of the Indian discipline demands a special celebratory day to mark the significance of its health benefits (on both mental and physical levels) for common humanity and hence, World Yoga Day has been celebrated annually on June 21, since it was conceived in 2015.
An international day for yoga was announced by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date because it is the longest day of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the day of summer solstice, which marks the journey of the sun towards the south, a period of six months which is most favourable for spiritual practices, according to certain scriptures. 175 nations, including the USA, Canada, and China co-sponsored the resolution of World Yoga Day.
It had the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA Resolution of its nature.
More recently, Yoga has been associated with incredible health benefits (like weight loss, blood pressure control, cholesterol lowering, cardiac health, diabetes management, metabolism regulation, promotion of flexibility and endurance, muscle strengthening, sight and height improvements, et al) and that has contributed to the sudden love for the routines and physical postural regiments in every part of the world.
Undoubtedly, yoga does serve the purpose of keeping the body in shape as well as balanced, but there is much more to it than just the physical aspect.
Live beyond the mat
It is important to live beyond the mat! Posture-simulated yoga is just a fraction of the 5000-year-old philosophical wisdom which is buried under the huge popularity of the yoga-sticks of the modern world.
The yoga known to the world today is what has been reinvented in the past 150 years by various yogis and markets, keeping in mind the demands of the time.
It is imperative to know the other aspects of yoga in order to understand how it results in physical fitness.
Not just about the sutras
Sage Patanjali is considered to be the father of the yogic system. Patanjali organised the teachings into 196 short aphorisms or sutras known as the "Yoga Sutra" in the second century.
This text describes the path of Raja Yoga, often called "classical yoga". Yoga arrived in the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when yoga masters began to travel to the West for the first time, introducing the yogic wisdom and its relation to spiritual attainments.
A special mention goes to the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago, when Indian Philosopher Swami Vivekananda amazed the attendees with his lectures on yoga and the universality of the world's religions, thereby introducing and popularising the heritage of yogic wisdom to the common people of the West.
In contemporary times, the business of yoga is progressing towards style, convenience, and amusement, rather than the classical purpose of spiritual enlightenment with the help of physical balance and control.
Today, there are some very strange forms and derivations of Yoga practised in various fanciful studios, such as the Co-Ed Completely Nude Vinyasa Yoga (practice yoga in nude), Hot Yoga (studios are heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 per cent humidity), dogs (doing yoga while holding your dog in various positions), Yoga (yoga with "vogueing," or dancing/enjoying popular music), Snowga (yoga in the snow), and Laughter Yoga, to name a few.
These techniques are inventions for making yoga fit your preferences of workout style, but they lack the very attitude and spirit of the science which was predominantly devised for spiritual empowerment in its inception.
Spirituality is one of the most fundamental aspects of yoga and this aspect has been overshadowed by the progression of the physical aspect of yoga.
Volumes of texts on yoga sutras provide an insight into millions of questions about human sense and sensibilities, human sufferings and human connectedness to the world.
Yoga philosophy incorporates the senses, the intellect, the ego and the body into one whole reality.
From wisdom about coping with the stress of everyday life to attaining emancipation from worldly desires and attaining the highest form of spiritual self by following various paths recommended by yoga, this humongous science has so much to offer.
According to a popular legend, a renowned sage named Vyasa once sent his son Shuka, a perfect being in every sense, to King Janaka.
Janaka was a great king and was called "Janaka Videha" which means "without a body".
Although a king, he had entirely forgotten that he had a body; he felt that he was a spirit all the time.
When Shuka arrived at the palace, no one noticed him and he was treated like an ordinary insignificant being who received no attention, even being the son of one of the most-renowned sages.
The guards made him sit for three days and nights without speaking with him or serving him.
The next day was a game changer when suddenly, Shuka was bestowed with the best honours and treats, adorned with perfumes and accessories, along with other royal luxuries.
Having lived for a few days in extreme pleasure, Shuka was brought to King Janaka for the first time. The king asked Shuka to hold a full cup of milk and walk seven times around the hall without spilling a drop.
While Shuka walked the hall, he met beautiful women dancing, playful music and beautiful arts, but Shuka remained unaffected and walked impeccably with the milk, not dropping any.
When he brought the milk back to the king, he said: "What your father has taught you, and what you have learned yourself, I can only repeat. You have known the Truth; go home."
This is the spirit of yoga!
Our contemporary times and troubles are overwhelming in a way that taking care of the body but neglecting the spirit does not work in favour of balanced living. When once asked, "What is misery?"
Vivekananda answered: "To every action, there is an equal reaction. If a man strikes me and wounds me, it is that man's actions and my body's reaction. Suppose I have so much power over the body that I can resist even that automatic action."
Can such power be attained? The ancient Indian philosophy says "yes you can".
"However If you stumble on [it], it is a miracle. If you learn it scientifically, it is Yoga."
Yoga philosophy incorporates the senses, the intellect, the ego and the body into one whole reality. It suggests that our misery and our happiness are our own productions.
No situation is either good or bad, but our reaction makes it so.
Everything is in the senses. It is the touch of the senses that creates pleasure or pain. If we can control our senses and order what we shall feel, without letting them control and have command over us, if they become our servants, then the problem is solved.
Our senses make us experience the world and mastery over them is the key to successful living, which can happen with mindfulness attained by yoga.
This leads you to gain the union with your own self. You are not the body, but the universal soul! You learn to control, rather than being controlled, and this is the magic of the science of yoga.
Make you mind your means to salvation by attaining freedom from being affected by the life conditions which are neutral in themselves.
Also read:Virat Kohli must take blame for Team India coach Anil Kumble retiring 'hurt'
Follow this link:
Yoga is more than just hitting the mat - DailyO
- The Lives of Others - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Aliens and Spiritual Enlightenment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dreams - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Open Your Eyes - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Enlightenment and Grizzly Bears - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- I’m Alive! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Seeing the World - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- First Taste of Spiritual Enlightenment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Pause - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Welcome - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Resurrection Needed for the Catholic Church, not Jesus. Christianity, Islam ... - American Chronicle - April 5th, 2010 [April 5th, 2010]
- The Secret of Kells - Harvard Crimson - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Taylor: The true Easter within - Lake County News - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- CHOICES! Your Go To Source for Enlightenment! / Spiritual Movie Morning - WCNC (subscription) - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Sex Swami duped firangs in the US - NDTV.com - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Girls' school defies Taliban terror - Times Online - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Shen Yun Performers Present Spiritual Connotation with Life - The Epoch Times - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Yoga Draws Criticism - TopNews United States - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Banjamin Bratt: 'I Wanted to Be Anything But an Actor' - Palm Beach Post - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- The History of Buddhism - MPBN News - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Secrets of the Catholic Church - The National Law Journal - April 9th, 2010 [April 9th, 2010]
- U-Theatre of Taiwan dance troupe's West Coast debut spotlights its virtuosity - OregonLive.com - April 9th, 2010 [April 9th, 2010]
- Religion Calendar - Montreal Gazette - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Siquijor conducts recollection for parolees - Philippine Information Agency - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Prayer for guidance - Inquirer.net - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- East Bay Buddhist temple strives to maintain relevance in new land - San Jose Mercury News - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Spiritual Journey: Stay-home mom Melody Melvin - The Huntsville Times - al.com (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- What Does The Buddha Have To Do With Jesus? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Laura Dern and William H. Macy Heading to Cable - Inside TV (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- American Guru Steven S. Sadleir brings Shaktipat to Spain and Italy - PR Web (press release) - April 11th, 2010 [April 11th, 2010]
- Who and What Is Buddha, Really? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 12th, 2010 [April 12th, 2010]
- The ACLU works to sap our spiritual strength - The Free Lance-Star - April 13th, 2010 [April 13th, 2010]
- Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled by Best-Selling ... - PR Web (press release) - April 13th, 2010 [April 13th, 2010]
- All About Kundalini Yoga - EmpowHer (blog) - April 14th, 2010 [April 14th, 2010]
- Catholic leadership's image tarnished by recurring scandal - Staunton News Leader - April 16th, 2010 [April 16th, 2010]
- Iowa Swami Who Beguiled the Jazz Age - New York Times - April 16th, 2010 [April 16th, 2010]
- More than a spiritual exercise - Nagaland Post - April 18th, 2010 [April 18th, 2010]
- Despite media smears, world and faithful have warmed to Benedict - Irish Times - April 18th, 2010 [April 18th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - I-Newswire.com (press release) - April 19th, 2010 [April 19th, 2010]
- Pakistan's pre-Islamic art goes on show in Paris - DAWN.com - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- New author shares emotional enlightenment - The Trinidad Guardian - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- The theft of yoga - Washington Post (blog) - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- Enter the Realm of the Buddha - Georgetown University The Hoya - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Indian guru arrested over sex scandal: Police - Montreal Gazette - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Life Out Here: Tea Party with a twist - Imperial Valley Press (subscription) - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- April 25: A Turning Point for Today's China - The Epoch Times - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Nityananda bound devotees with non-disclosure agreements - Sify - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Buddhist Extremists in Bangladesh Beat, Take Christians Captive - Pakistan Christian TV - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Liberty and the Death of God - American Thinker - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- A Commentary on Religious Intolerance & the Dalai Lama - Subversify (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - BigNews.biz (press release) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Review: Seeking Life's Meaning - New York Times (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- An Analysis Of I Corinthians 15 - Blogger News Network (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Luxury in spiritual Ladakh, India - Times Online - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- JD Salinger: A 'Selfish Old Goat,' But Not a Perv - Politics Daily (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Sorry, your patent on yoga has run out - Washington Post (blog) - April 25th, 2010 [April 25th, 2010]
- Leggo my ego - Winnipeg Free Press - April 25th, 2010 [April 25th, 2010]
- Church Set to Regain Museum Treasures - The Moscow Times - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The multiple sides of Ricky Williams - San Diego Union Tribune - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet: Reflecting on a Half-Century of Change - Student Pulse - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The Kumbh Mela: what can it teach us about mental health, consciousness and ... - Psychology Today (blog) - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (DVD) - Film Threat - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- A Leg Up on “THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE” - FANGORIA (blog) - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The hottest docs at Hot Docs - Globe and Mail - April 29th, 2010 [April 29th, 2010]
- Florida Dems shut down state House - Politico - April 29th, 2010 [April 29th, 2010]
- Reading Energy Fields with Tanis Day - The Barrie Examiner - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Book flights to India for a luxury mountain retreat - Southall Travel - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- In death, mass murderer sees freedom - Citizens Voice - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Author Becky Walsh on enlightenment through sex - Dscriber - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Is Western Christianity Suffering From Spiritual Amnesia? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- The Road That Leads to Nowhere - The Road That Leads to You - New York News Today - May 2nd, 2010 [May 2nd, 2010]
- In Their Words: Her path to inner peace - Times Herald-Record - May 2nd, 2010 [May 2nd, 2010]
- Rielle, Oprah, and Zen America's Truth-Off - Politics Daily (blog) - May 3rd, 2010 [May 3rd, 2010]
- CathBlog - Newman's reasoned faith outshines postmodernism's dark stars - CathNews - May 13th, 2010 [May 13th, 2010]
- Light of the Sufis exhibit explores Islam's mystical side - Houston Chronicle - May 13th, 2010 [May 13th, 2010]
- The last word: In search of enlightenment, mindfulness and nirvana in Silicon ... - Financial Times - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- 'Light in the Wilderness,' by M. Catherine Thomas - Mormon Times - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive-Fascist Distinction - U.S. News & World Report (blog) - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Are You Praying to the Only True God? - WEBCommentary - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Haunting 'Lourdes' Revels in the Poetry of Ambiguity - HollywoodChicago.com - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]