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Spiritual Yoga... There are quite a few newcomers to yoga who do not understand what they are supposed to "do" during the silent times of their yoga class. They ask what they are supposed to be thinking, or if "deep meditation" conflicts with their Jewish or Christian religious beliefs and prayer. There are Atheists who are confused about yoga's spiritual aspect.
At the same time, there are so many conflicting views and answers for these newcomers out there that many are turned off to yoga before even trying it for themselves.
Is It Possible to Bring Spiritual Yoga and One's Non-Hindu Faith into Accord?
There are those who answer with either a resounding "yes" to this question or with a fervent "no." If you find yourself unsure, consider some of the following and feel free to do some deeper research on your own.
This article is not meant to offend anyone's ideas, beliefs, values, religion, or faith. It is merely a tool to begin thinking about the subject of "spiritual yoga" more deeply and to help find the answer that is right for you.
Defining Spiritual Yoga
Though the principles of yoga were originally founded on Hindu beliefs and agreeably are influenced by Buddhist and Jainist ideas and values, the book thought of as the textbook of yoga (or compilation of writings), Yoga Sutras by Pantañjali was written before any other major religion of today was really in existence.
So, if religion itself can mature, diversify, and evolve over hundreds of years why not the practice of yoga?
Integrating One's Own Faith into Yoga
Yoga is really such a solitary practice when you think about it. One may be a part of an entire yoga class, all moving in harmony, but what goes on in one's mind and heart is really unique to each of us. Yoga is really about self-awareness and focusing the mind.
While some yoga students may wish to empty their minds and tune in to the universe as their own yoga retreat, others may wish to silently say a different type of prayer, based on their own religious beliefs.
There are those yoga students who change or translate the original chants and mantras to coincide with their own religious faith, changing the Hari Krishna to Amazing Grace, for example.
The Importance of Spiritual Yoga
Some yoga students may not see spiritual awareness, belief, religion, or faith as a necessary part of their practice of yoga at all. They may enjoy going to their local gym, participating in a steamy bikram yoga class or exhausting ashtanga yoga class, and that should be their personal right as well.
However, many yoga students are seeking a spiritual yoga experience, and many yoga instructors and yogis will adamantly assert that there is no yoga without a spiritual awareness. Who is to say what that spiritual awareness must be, though?
That is why it is essential for each person to do make up his or her own mind and do some research to find which yoga type is right for him or her. There are some yoga types that are by nature more spiritually oriented, like anusara yoga, and some are more body-alignment conscious, like iyengar yoga.
It is also imperative to interview the individual yoga instructor as to what is expected of the yoga students in each class and just to get a general feel as to whether you'll feel comfortable there.
In short, it is up to you to decide what is right for your life and health mentally, physically, and spiritually. Hopefully yoga can be a welcome part of that.
Additional recources on Spiritual Yoga. Understanding:
http://www.christianyoga.us
http://www.swamij.com/theism-atheism-yoga-fear.htm
http://www.torahyoga.com
http://www.yoga.com
http://www.yogajournal.com
http://www.yogamosaic.org
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