Something about Yoga that confuses me

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

Kudos to BKS Iyengar and P. Jois to bring Yoga (an Eastern Metaphysical Practice) to the masses, prepackaged to suit the Western palette, albeit a commercial success. But you cannot ignore the fact the Yoga was practiced for the last thousand years or so with the whole purpose to Unite with the Universal, Infinite, Godhead or what have you, supposedly.

[QUOTE=Asuri;68931]I never thought I would find myself on this side of this argument, but I think you guys need to think about who have been the most influential yoga teachers in America. I would say BKS Iyengar and Patabhi Jois. They both took a physical approach to yoga. This ‘yoga is a spiritual exercise’ approach really comes off as elitist and snobbish. Of course it’s true that there’s more to yoga than just the asanas, but why the hard sell? You should be welcoming new people into the fold, not scaring them away. They’ll find out soon enough what its all about.[/QUOTE]

#22

In my humble opinion, if you’re looking to get a “flatter ab” (if that’s what’s important to you in your life), you’re not ready for genuine yoga.

Once you transcend the idea of the human form as your “self” and let go of its identity, your body can be transformed from the cosmic forces you learn to channel into a vibrantly healthy form. In fact, into any form … including ultimately into pure energy.

An attachment to how one “looks” is a severe impediment to true yogic experience.

In my humble opinion …

#23

if you want flat abs do exercises that work the transverse abdominus and the lower abs. women can’t technically have abs as flat as men because women’s hips tilt forward.

the 6pack comes from losing fat only.

yoga was for spiritual purification at one time but more people are interested in abs, sadly, so that’s why there’s more videos on the web for that than enlightenment.

#24

[QUOTE=FutureHumanDestiny;69178] yoga was for spiritual purification at one time but more people are interested in abs, sadly, so that’s why there’s more videos on the web for that than enlightenment.[/QUOTE]

Is it not the responsibility of us who bear the torch of yoga’s genuine nature and purpose to maintain its integrity by not encouraging/promoting that which is an aberration of yoga?

To me, encouraging someone to get “flat abs” with yoga is like encouraging someone to get high by sniffing glue (ie, the original purpose and intent of glue is to adhere one thing to another; the aberration is using it to feed the ego’s desires in some way).

Just because videos are available on a subject doesn’t mean those videos are a valid representation of the subject.

I happen to have a very fit human form and it certainly isn’t because at any time I’ve ever desired “flat abs”. In fact, I’m not particularly fussed about the shape of my physical form.

As I said in my previous post, a vibrantly healthy form comes as a result of release of attachment to what one’s body looks like and the full embodiment of the yogic principles.

The actual desire for flat abs, in and of itself, will prevent such vibrance from occurring. The movement of one’s consciousness beyond the human notion of what “flat abs” means is the yogic intention.

If you’re not at that place yet in your consciousness, you oughtn’t be involved in yoga.

So says the cosmic principles themselves and so says all the previous yogic demonstrators throughout history.

#25

[QUOTE=SunshineHeart;69193]Is it not the responsibility of us who bear the torch of yoga’s genuine nature and purpose to maintain its integrity by not encouraging/promoting that which is an aberration of yoga?

To me, encouraging someone to get “flat abs” with yoga is like encouraging someone to get high by sniffing glue (ie, the original purpose and intent of glue is to adhere one thing to another; the aberration is using it to feed the ego’s desires in some way).

Just because videos are available on a subject doesn’t mean those videos are a valid representation of the subject.

I happen to have a very fit human form and it certainly isn’t because at any time I’ve ever desired “flat abs”. In fact, I’m not particularly fussed about the shape of my physical form.

As I said in my previous post, a vibrantly healthy form comes as a result of release of attachment to what one’s body looks like and the full embodiment of the yogic principles.

The actual desire for flat abs, in and of itself, will prevent such vibrance from occurring. The movement of one’s consciousness beyond the human notion of what “flat abs” means is the yogic intention.

If you’re not at that place yet in your consciousness, you oughtn’t be involved in yoga.

So says the cosmic principles themselves and so says all the previous yogic demonstrators throughout history.[/QUOTE]

i dig flat abs. we’re on the same team. i just wish people mediated more, that’s all.

peace

#26

FutureHumanDestiny,

It has been my humble experience that people won’t “meditate more” until their Inner Being brings them to the vibrational resonance to allow that to happen.

Wishing it so or attempting to press someone into it (by making it a prerequisite of something else – for example, making it a part of a college undergrad degree) doesn’t work.

Yes, they can get the surface benefits but they won’t receive the gift of Universal Power until they’re ready. Only the Isness within them can steer them in the direction that supports them in their ultimate soul’s desire.

I appreciate what you said; just making a somewhat tangent comment.

Blessed Be!

#27

yoga is good to practice no matter what you are looking for. I came into yoga to get more flexible

it has since led me to meditation to make my life much better so who knows what it can do for you