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.
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!”
WHO is that WHO is asking?
well I guess all the phony yogis on this board scared off the real one 
now let this phony yoga movement continue
my best to you, you fakers
Neil
Who is that which says it’s real or which says it’s fake:D.
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!
[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
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.
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.
Inner peace…calm and constant… yoga:)
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=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.
Yoga4Life: "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. "
Actually that’s not quite accurate - though I must point out I was not “there” at least not in this body.
The student absolutely served the teacher in all ways. It was a life dedicated to service in exchange for teaching.
Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.
A yoga instructor earning living by teaching yoga is doing a great job if he/she can help more and more people to lead better lives by adopting yoga. Is that phony or funny?
[quote=InnerAthlete;11700]
Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.[/quote]
I am going to start sending my clients on their way with both their home practices and my whites from now. Fantastic!
And skip the starch please
Our “phony” friend who started this “thread” is very absent, would like to know what he/she has to say about all these “phony” replies here. One would expect some decency and reciprocity from the only “non-phony” yogi in the world.
He no longer has a membership here after some discussion between him and the moderators and administrators.
Thanks Nichole, I gather that much:) Pitty, I would have love to read his replies to all these posts. Would have made interesting reading.
[quote=InnerAthlete;11700]Actually that’s not quite accurate - though I must point out I was not “there” at least not in this body.
The student absolutely served the teacher in all ways. It was a life dedicated to service in exchange for teaching.
Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.[/quote]
Yes, you are right. Even today if you visit any traditional ashram or gurukul this tradition is still there. I don’t think that serving a teacher can be a compensation for fee or money.
Traditional yoga gurus ensured that the disciple is fit to learn and deserves it. A student used to serve every wish of a teacher. I think this was like ground work. A student had to overcome ego, learns to obey, serve and respect his elders. These Gurus and teachers weren’t rich or enjoyed any comfortable life (when compared to comforts provided by money).
Today what is commonly known as Yoga is bridged edition of Hatha Yoga, Yoga for physical welfare. People skip the basics (yamas, niyamas) completely. Even when people learn this, this is limited to understanding or knowing its theory only. A single step of Yama or Niyama can take years to master (become Siddh).
Yoga is Yoga… real for the one who is practicing it…experiencing it…
Its possible to teach yoga without taking money… but that’s totally a personal choice…
When the teacher’s karma is in unison with the world’s karma, everything is possible.
I do not teach, but I serve. I design buildings. I like to do it, and I am doing it to my best knowledge. I serve reason, beauty, I serve the environment, both physical, spiritual, and human, through my buildings. When you do your job with affection, love, and care, money will come, too.
Money should never be the main reason for any activity. It should be a currency between what you provide, and what you recieve in return.
Good service is when the client feels sorry that he/she can reward you only with money. The best payment is the gratitude of the people you serve … money is just a clumsy way for them to make your existence possible.
Yoga students should be aware of the fact that they do not pay for yoga. Real yoga can’t be payed, because it is selfless service. The yoga teacher teaches because he/she can do it, and there is a dire need for his/her wisdom. There is a dire need for his/her presence.
You know you did find a good teacher, when you’d give your shirt only to be near him. Be such a teacher, find such a teacher.