There’s no word called ‘God’ in yoga’ Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Mantra Yoga… the list goes on and on. For most Indians (and for many in the West as well), the practice of yoga has almost become a way of life. A healthier life.Yet, two churches in Britain have banned a group from conducting yoga classes, terming the ancient practice as ‘un-Christian’ and a ‘sham’.
Even though the practice did originate in India centuries ago (the word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means to ‘unite’, the union being that of the individual with the Universal Spirit, or God), does that make it more Hindu in ideology?
In other words, does it make it ‘un-Christian’?
Yoga is about attaining a blissful state of being. Agree that it was invented by a Hindu, but that was by default. Just because electricity was discovered by a Christian, is it wrong for a Hindu to use it? For that matter, why are we eating burgers when our indigenous food is the vada-pav? This entire controversy questions the so-called ‘liberal’ mind of the 21st century,yoga is a process, not a dogma. Which is why yoga has not become a religion or a cult, despite its popularity.
It is unfortunate that even in the 21st century, superstition still prevails in some churches. This reminds me of an imam who issued a fatwa against TV, saying that Satan has entered television. Practices such as yoga which promote health and happiness can never be against any true religion. Yoga has been diluted by many and marketed as a mere physical exercise.
To restrict yoga to a particular religion is limited thinking. Yoga goes beyond boundaries, it is followed all over the world. It belongs to the whole world that is the kind of broad vision the practice of yoga gives. Everybody leads a stressful life today, whether one is a Hindu, Muslim or Christian. The benefits of yoga affect everyone.
My interpretation based on a 4SEP07 TOI report
It is sad indeed that members of congregations are being denied access to something that is so universal, beneficial and non sectarian. Sadly, these things are often driven by fear and ignorance.
It is a rather amusing notion that only people who are of the same religion as the inventor of something should benefit! I think that the ‘first world’ would be rather shocked at what it could not access!
Let us hope the parishioners of those two churches aren’t as blinkered and foolish as their leaders.
It has nothing to do with the fact that the “inventor” of yoga was a Hindu. Yoga is a Hindu-Buddhist-Jain practice, but these “religions” don’t require you to believe in God or anything specific; you’re free to believe what you want so there isn’t a problem for most people.
But it is a problem for many Christians (and Muslims) because they consider the Dharmic faiths and its practices to be “pagan” and “mumbo jumbo”.