What YOGA is?????? Spiritual Practice?????? Religious Practice Or Simply the Physical Practice?

Answer 1

YOGA - SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Yoga, meaning union in Sanskrit, is a family of ancient spiritual practices, originating in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas, but there are many other types. In other parts of the world where yoga is popular, notably the West, Yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, which are popularly considered there as fitness exercises and also form the basis of an expanding business.

Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and has influenced other religious and spiritual practices throughout the world. Ancient Hindu texts establishing the basis for yoga include the Upanishads, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and many others, which specify the criteria of having successfully mastered a particular yoga technique.Modern yoga practice often includes traditional elements inherent in eastern religion, such as moral and ethical principles, postures designed to keep the body fit, spiritual philosophy, instruction by a guru, chanting of mantras (sacred syllables), pranayama (breathing exercises), and stilling the mind through meditation. These elements are sometimes adapted to meet the needs of non-Hindu practitioners, who may be attracted to yoga by its utility as a relaxation technique or as a way to keep fit.


In Hinduism, Yoga is considered to be the ultimate way of attaining Enlightenment. The earliest written accounts of yoga appear in the Rig Veda, which began to be codified between 1500 and 1200 BCE. Some historians believe that this 5000-year-old sculpture is of a yogi.Proponents of yoga see daily practice as beneficial in itself, leading to improved health, emotional well-being, mental clarity, and joy in living. Yoga advocates progress toward the experience of samadhi, an advanced state of meditation where there is absorption in inner ecstasy, Ananda.

The goals of yoga are expressed differently in different traditions. In theistic Hinduism, yoga may be seen as a set of practices intended to bring people closer to God - to help them achieve union with God. In Buddhism, which does not postulate a creator-type god, yoga may help people deepen their wisdom, compassion, and insight. In Western nations, where there is a strong emphasis on individualism, yoga practice may be an extension of the search for meaning in self, and integration of the different aspects of being. The terms Self-Realization and god-Realization are used interchangeably in Hindu yoga, with the underlying belief that the true nature of self, revealed through the practice of yoga, is of the same nature as God.

The ultimate goal of yoga is the attainment of liberation (Moksha) from worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). Yoga entails mastery over the body, mind, and emotional self, and transcendence of desire. It is said to lead gradually to knowledge of the true nature of reality. The Yogi reaches an enlightened state where there is a cessation of thought and an experience of blissful union. This union may be of the individual soul (Atman) with the supreme Reality (Brahman), as in Vedanta philosophy; or with a specific god or goddess, as in theistic forms of Hinduism and some forms of Buddhism. Enlightenment may also be described as extinction of the limited ego, and direct and lasting perception of the non-dual nature of the universe.

Answer 2

Yoga, meaning union in Sanskrit, is a family of ancient spiritual practices, originating in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas, but there are many other types. In other parts of the world where yoga is popular, notably the West, Yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, which are popularly considered there as fitness exercises and also form the basis of an expanding business.

Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and has influenced other religious and spiritual practices throughout the world. Ancient Hindu texts establishing the basis for yoga include the Upanishads, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and many others, which specify the criteria of having successfully mastered a particular yoga technique.

Answer 3

This isn't the first time I've come across some potential bigot saying that yoga is "the work of the devil". Yoga is a means of exercising the body and controlling the mind. The former through physical activity and the latter through meditation and relaxation. Like any other form of "foreign" based activity there is the jargon. Take the martial arts, for instance. Nobody seems to complain about all of the foreign words involve with that. Exercise is not a problem in any country or civilisation. The big anti seems to come from the meditative aspect. Do you know anyone who does yoga? Do they appear brainwashed? Relaxation and meditation without the mention of a particular deity is as beneficent as it sounds. If you ARE of a particular faith then this will aid in improving your interaction with your relevant God as you won't be encumbered by a decrepit body or a lack of mental welfare.

Answer 4

YOGA means union - It signifies the union of body and mind. There are varied forms these days and yoga has been modified to suit different tastes.

It is a holistic spiritual, mental and physical practice, advocated by the sages of Hinduism. It is one aspect of Hinduism that has been adopted by a whole lot of other communities for the significant benefits it provides.

Answer 5

Yoga has it's foundation in Eastern Mysticism.
So, first and foremost, it's an exercise ritual to prepare one's mind for a religious experience.
Unfortunately, it's not a Judeo-Christian experience with the living God. That makes it an idolotrous practice which the Ten Commandments file under "Thou shalt not..."

Answer 6

Yes. Eastern ideology doesn't separate mind, body, and spirit like we do. I wouldn't really call it a religious practice though because there is no worship or defining of God in Yoga. But it does work all three elements of being, since all three work in harmony, together.

Answer 7

Yoga means union, union with God in unconditional LOVE, Yoga is taught by a Guru (TEACHER) search net for swami muktananda paramahamsa Read his page for more understanding on this remarkable practice. Muktananda taught the same as jesus but with much greater clarity.He also baptized with spirit and with fire.

Answer 8

It is a spiritual practice, with the asanas of Hatha Yoga being popular in the US as a form of exercise.

~Morg~

Answer 9

Any or all of the above. You get out of it what you want.

As a beginner you're better off taking a class. It IS possible to find classes that don't focus on any but the physical aspects, if you don't want to get into that. If you're not able to find one like that, just ignore it! It's not like you'd be taking part in a satanic ritual.

Answer 10

Physical practice first and foremost.