Practicing Yoga in a monastic setting

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Many people here will be familiar with at least on type of monastic order, be it from Swami’s to Buddhist and Christian monks. All have different practices, but they share in common the core concept of designating an area that calls upon its inhabitants to follow a simple yet reflective life.

But where is the physical aspect in monastic practices? I may not be well versed in Buddhist or Christian monastic practices, but I do not believe physical exercise is included in their monastic training, and if it is it is not include a physical system of exercise such as asana practice.

I suppose what I am asking is, does anybody know of monastic disciplines that incorporate yoga into their life? Are there institutions out there that incorporate both meditation and asana practice, or some other sort of physical practice that aims towards bringing about awareness?

#2

“but I do not believe physical exercise is included in their monastic training, and if it is it is not include a physical system of exercise such as asana practice.”

In the first place, asanas have little to do with physical exercises, nor are they intended for physical exercise. These asanas are just different methods to purify the gross and subtle body, channel the life energy of the body in various different ways, awaken the chakras, and prepare one’s system for sitting meditation. For the most part, if you are using them as tools along the path to awakening, then they are employed for their effects on the energies of the subtle body.

“I suppose what I am asking is, does anybody know of monastic disciplines that incorporate yoga into their life?”

All monastic disciplines are a kind of yoga, yoga refers to any method that leads you towards your enlightenment. Even these Christian monks are practicing a kind of yoga - bhakti yoga, the way of Union through devotion.

“Are there institutions out there that incorporate both meditation and asana practice”

Yes, there are many, amongst Hindus and Buddhists. Amongst the Buddhists, the Vajrayana school has made extensive use of various methods of the yogic sciences - asanas, mudras, kriyas, bandhas, pranayam, mantras, yantras, and various forms of sitting meditation.

#3

@amir,

Except
"In the first place, asanas have little to do with physical exercises, nor are they intended for physical exercise "

You are spot on in this conversation.
These postures, apart from what you mentioned, do make the body strong. As Swami Gheranda says, his seven fold system is "for purificatory, strengthening, steadying, calming and those leading to lightness, perception and isolation.
Now don’t say again that you don’t pick pebbles from graveyards.

#4

I understand that these postures are not meant solely as a physical exercise, but humans need to MOVE. They to to EXERCISE.

Asana practice is both a physical and a mental exercise. So why am I s hard pressed to find it part of any monasteries schedule or beliefs?

#5

Sonrita -
Almost all societies of this nature have some type of regular physical activity that they do in order to keep the body healthy and pure. They likely do not call it asana, because that is a term out of the yogic lineage.

Many sects of christian monasticism enjoy daily routines that take them outside, working in nature, working for the community, being physically active. I stayed at an old convent on 70 acres of land filled with hiking trails. The nuns (when they were younger) used to spend ample time exploring nature. They also had a gym on premises, and had build a large labyrinth out of stones outside (and a painted one inside) so they could walk for at least half an hour in a state of reflection on God. If their life is centered around devotional eating, sleeping, working, and movement… then what need do they have for asana? Regular exercise is more than enough if your body, mind and soul are in health and harmony.

That being said, the nuns did offer space at their residence for yoga and tai chi instructors to come in and teach to the public.

#6

Suryadaya,

That sounds really interesting to me. I assume being a convent, men aren’t allowed to stay with them, but I’d still be interested in hearing were this place was.

I suppose why I am asking all these questions is because I am thinking of heading off to a monastery/ashram/temple/whathaveyou after I graduate from university, and I was simply curious about how physical exercise in a monastic setting.

#7

[QUOTE=Sonrita;64093]Many people here will be familiar with at least on type of monastic order, be it from Swami’s to Buddhist and Christian monks. All have different practices, but they share in common the core concept of designating an area that calls upon its inhabitants to follow a simple yet reflective life.

But where is the physical aspect in monastic practices? I may not be well versed in Buddhist or Christian monastic practices, but I do not believe physical exercise is included in their monastic training, and if it is it is not include a physical system of exercise such as asana practice.

I suppose what I am asking is, does anybody know of monastic disciplines that incorporate yoga into their life? Are there institutions out there that incorporate both meditation and asana practice, or some other sort of physical practice that aims towards bringing about awareness?[/QUOTE]

The Shaolin Temple in pre communist China was Buddhist, and incorporated martial arts into monastic training. The higher purpose of the Shaolin martial arts were to strengthen and purify the body and mind in preparation for deep meditation, in much the same way as Hatha Yoga.