What is Real Yoga?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

“Yoga” is a Sanskrit/Hindu word and means “yuj Atmana Brahaman ca” (“to yoke the individual Soul and the Soul Source”). This one Sanskrit/Hindu word accurately describes both the goal and the means to the goal. The various Hindu/Yogas are the religious teachings and practices by which Hindus acheive this goal of Spiritual-Realization.

The classic Hindu/Yogas are: Karma Yoga (Ethcis), Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Raja Yoga (Meditation) and Jnana Yoga (Enlightenment). There several Yogas within these classic four Yogas, such as: Hatha Yoga (Devotional posture(s) to nature, the creatures and Hindu Deities and Sages) and Mantra Yoga (Sanskrit/Hindu chants).

True to any religion, respectively, the classic Hindu/Yogas are taught by qualified Hindus (to anyone who honestly wants to learn) and on a donation basis. Of course, anyone can formally become a Hindu after serious study and commitment.

So, what, then, is phony yoga? “Obviously” 99% of what is passed-off as “yoga” today. This phony yoga is completely contrary to Real Yoga/Hinduism. To get an idea of how totally silly is this “yoga,” imagine a non-Christain teaching classes (for a fee, of course) in Baptism meaning underwater therapy/exercise. It is a very sad fact, throughout history that many have simply decided (because “it feels good,” etc.) to steal and violate (often to the extreme) those of “other” religions.

It is pass time for this phony yoga movement to cease this crass violation of the established Hindu/Yoga religious tradition.

#2

Namaste,

Can you enlighten me on exactly who, what, where and how this “phony yoga movement” is? It seems that you have something to say about them, but with little background about this “phony yoga movement” I cannot make a decision about the validity of what you have to say.

#3

maybe if you knew “real” yoga you may not see any yoga as phony?
just a thought
there is a saying and it goes like this
if you want to hold something down you can hold it down lower with two hands, if you want to hold something up you can hold it higher with two hands, if you try to hold down with one hand and up with the other you will not reach the depths or heights that are possible for you to obtain.
wannabe

#4

“…There is nothing noble besides in fanaticism - there is no nobility of motive, though there may be a fierce enthusiasm of motive. Religious fanaticism is something psychologically low-born and ignorant - and usually in its action fierce, cruel and base.”

                                       *

“…You say that you ask only for the Truth and yet you speak like a narrow and ignorant fanatic who refuses to believe in anything but the religion in which he was born. All fanaticism is false, because it is a contradiction of the very nature of God and of Truth. Truth can not be shut up in a single book, Bible or Veda or Koran, or in a single religion.”

Sri Aurobindo
Difference Between Religion and Yoga

#5

“you want the truth? You cant handle the truth”

jack nicholson

Sorry IA after your post I could not resist :wink: I do like that quote you posted, and I thank you for it
Neil

#6

[quote=classyoga;11338]“Yoga” is a Sanskrit/Hindu word and means “yuj Atmana Brahaman ca” (“to yoke the individual Soul and the Soul Source”). This one Sanskrit/Hindu word accurately describes both the goal and the means to the goal. The various Hindu/Yogas are the religious teachings and practices by which Hindus acheive this goal of Spiritual-Realization…
and so on and so forth…

It is pass time for this phony yoga movement to cease this crass violation of the established Hindu/Yoga religious tradition.[/quote]

you’re prolly right…
so… what do we then call this aberration?

agoy ?

… doesn;t quite roll off the tongue…

alright, keep thinkin… hmmmm…

funny thing about movements, they usually just keep movin…

#7

Phony yoga is useful, in a way. Most people will come to it: ok, I am not interested in religion, but I heard about the health benefits. Than they get what they want. When they see they got what they wanted, they will believe in the teacher and in yoga. Than, gradually, they will start to believe in the other stuff, as they realize it is a natural consequence of a person’s spiritual journey, and not something to accepted by blind faith.

There are dangers, as many will awaken kundalini or make contact with spiritual realities without passing through the early purification phase (yama and niyama) and this will have predictably bad effects on them. Some will turn even more egpoistic, or lose cannons, like the Bible wielding martial artist guy in my town who killed her mother with 193 knife stabs, a day before yesterday. He stated that he acted on divine orders. I do not question that he got his orders, but they were anything but divine.

The perils of the spiritual journey are greatly underestimated, imo.
A sound judgement, and keeping a cool head under any circumstances are the best defenses of the yogi.

#8

So then it would follow that all meditation is phony prayer?

Or is it phony Buddhism or Taoism?

Or would Taoist Taoyin be a type of phony Yoga since it is not Hindu

#9

Isn’t all this about the state of mind!!Phony…religion…all? like they say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!!:wink:

#10

Wow - I practice yoga for me, I don’t pretend to know it all, but I know what it does for me, my mind, my body, my health and how I am to the world around me. I am a better person from my yoga practice. I think it is like anything else in this world, we all have our own perspectives, opinions and approaches, sorry if you feel like this “phony” movement is upsetting your world and religion.

#11

The question is ‘the state of who’s mind?’ Required conforming to some other’s idea despite being contrary or not in agreement to your own instincts and ideals is, at best, highest dogma. And dogma is certainly not enlightenment.
You should become what I want you to be.
rather
As aajane says “I am a better person from my yoga practice.” Hard to dispute.

and maybe ‘They’ should say “beauty opens the eyes of the beholder!”

#12

WHO is that WHO is asking?:slight_smile:

#13

well I guess all the phony yogis on this board scared off the real one :wink:
now let this phony yoga movement continue
my best to you, you fakers
Neil

#14

Who is that which says it’s real or which says it’s fake:D.

#15

I have very little to add to this very entertaining thread. InnerAthlete is right-on with his response and I concur 100% with aajane. Hubert?s story of the Bible-wielding martial artist was chilling. But, in the end, Neil?s last sentence made me burst out laughing. Like a classic punchline.

I love this forum. You guys are the best!

#16

[QUOTE=classyoga;11338]“Yoga” is a Sanskrit/Hindu word and means “yuj Atmana Brahaman ca” (“to yoke the individual Soul and the Soul Source”). This one Sanskrit/Hindu word accurately describes both the goal and the means to the goal. The various Hindu/Yogas are the religious teachings and practices by which Hindus acheive this goal of Spiritual-Realization.

The classic Hindu/Yogas are: Karma Yoga (Ethcis), Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Raja Yoga (Meditation) and Jnana Yoga (Enlightenment). There several Yogas within these classic four Yogas, such as: Hatha Yoga (Devotional posture(s) to nature, the creatures and Hindu Deities and Sages) and Mantra Yoga (Sanskrit/Hindu chants).

True to any religion, respectively, the classic Hindu/Yogas are taught by qualified Hindus (to anyone who honestly wants to learn) and on a donation basis. Of course, anyone can formally become a Hindu after serious study and commitment.

So, what, then, is phony yoga? “Obviously” 99% of what is passed-off as “yoga” today. This phony yoga is completely contrary to Real Yoga/Hinduism. To get an idea of how totally silly is this “yoga,” imagine a non-Christain teaching classes (for a fee, of course) in Baptism meaning underwater therapy/exercise. It is a very sad fact, throughout history that many have simply decided (because “it feels good,” etc.) to steal and violate (often to the extreme) those of “other” religions.

It is pass time for this phony yoga movement to cease this crass violation of the established Hindu/Yoga religious tradition.[/QUOTE]

Dear Classyoga your opinion is contradicting with that of Swami Vivekananda, the man who represented Hindus at the World’s Parliament of Religions of 1893 & introduced Yoga to the West :slight_smile:

here’s what he has to say:

You must remember that the freedom of the soul is the goal of all yogas, & each one equally leads to the same result. By work alone we may get to where Buddha got largely by meditation or Christ by prayer, Buddha was a working jnani, Christ was a bhakta, but the same goal was reached by both of them. The yogas of work, of wisdom, and of devotion are all capable of serving as direct and independent means for the attainment of moksha.

Swamiji also explains that Vedas are not books:

[i]The proof, therefore of the Vedas is just the same as the proof of this table before me, pratyaksha, direct perception. This I see with senses, and the truths of spirituality we also see in a superconscious state of the human soul.

Books are not an end-all. Verification is the only proof of religious truth. Each must verify for himself; and no teacher who says,“I have seen but you can’t,” is to be trusted, only that one who says,“You can see too”. All scriptures, all truths are Vedas in all times, in all countries; because these truths are to be seen, and any one may discover them.[/i]

Vedas means knowledge, realization & knowledge is not just confined to India or Indians.

#17

It is true that Yoga today is taught without fundamentals, but this is happening in every sphere of life. Children go to school for education but when they pass out they have qualification without education.

Everything will change for better with a change in attitude of the society.

#18

Inner peace…calm and constant… yoga:)

#19

Yoga is skill in action, as per Bhagwad Gita. But this does not mean action in physical sense as we understand it. Yoga is a medium for improving the skill of our body. In addition, yoga techniques also transforms our mind and emotions. Yoga is a way of life, philosophy for living.

If a scientist is busy inventing something, or somebody is busy in selfless service of humanity, it is similar to karma yoga.

At the base of every yoga philosophy is the yoga sutras of Patanjali. Some people may interpret and implement in a different way. I personally feel that best yoga is what is practiced for the sake of better health and spiritual up liftment and does not involve money transactions. Guru and disciple bond is essential especially for spiritual development.

But there cannot be a phony yoga, either it is yoga or no yoga. If somebody is teaching yoga for money or with small variations it does not become phony yoga. It is upto the learner to stay away from what is not yoga…

#20

[quote=pinky11;11688]Yoga is skill in action, as per Bhagwad Gita. But this does not mean action in physical sense as we understand it. Yoga is a medium for improving the skill of our body. In addition, yoga techniques also transforms our mind and emotions. Yoga is a way of life, philosophy for living.

If a scientist is busy inventing something, or somebody is busy in selfless service of humanity, it is similar to karma yoga.

At the base of every yoga philosophy is the yoga sutras of Patanjali. Some people may interpret and implement in a different way. I personally feel that best yoga is what is practiced for the sake of better health and spiritual up liftment and does not involve money transactions. Guru and disciple bond is essential especially for spiritual development.

But there cannot be a phony yoga, either it is yoga or no yoga. If somebody is teaching yoga for money or with small variations it does not become phony yoga. It is upto the learner to stay away from what is not yoga…[/quote]

I appreciate your understanding of Yoga, actually Great Yogi’s in Himalayas and other parts of India never ask for anything for helping people and society.

Today things have changed Yoga is no more Yoga in that sense its a consumer products which can be used to sell in the name of so many benefits. Even different types of yoga have evolved, named after celebrities. Those who think Yoga is an exercise, a beauty tip, a tantra.

Anyway it won’t stay long as things will automatically settle down until and unless there are some real Yogis who never demonstrate there power or come in lime light.