(no subject)
So I read this on MSN.com today:
"I'm Christian. Can I still participate in yoga?
Yoga classes occasionally include chants or songs in an unfamiliar language, and Eastern religious icons-say, a small statue of the Hindu god Ganesh-sometimes are displayed in the studio. That's part of the reason behind the rise of so-called Christian yoga, which replaces traditional texts with biblical passages, and why Christian groups occasionally challenge yoga programs in public schools.
But most instructors are quick to point out that yoga is widely considered a spiritual, rather than religious, practice that in no way challenges a yogi's personal beliefs. "I always say to people that I was raised a Catholic, and I went to Jesuit schools my whole life," says Lynne Begier, founder of Back Bay Yoga Studio in Boston. "You can make yoga as spiritual as you want, and you won't be preached to and required to do anything you're not comfortable with."
Do you know what makes me angry about this article? Im angry because America, and Americans don't give credit to Eastern religions for creating the whole concept of Yoga. Of course theres going to be "chants in an unfamiliar language" because it was created by old Indian men who spoke Sanskrit! I mean you're not "required to do anything" because thats the whole point of Hinduism. By practicing Yoga you ARE practicing a few main tenets of the Hindu religion. Yoga is "spiritual." Im not one to usually care about talking religious crap but things like this just make me angry..
"I'm Christian. Can I still participate in yoga?
Yoga classes occasionally include chants or songs in an unfamiliar language, and Eastern religious icons-say, a small statue of the Hindu god Ganesh-sometimes are displayed in the studio. That's part of the reason behind the rise of so-called Christian yoga, which replaces traditional texts with biblical passages, and why Christian groups occasionally challenge yoga programs in public schools.
But most instructors are quick to point out that yoga is widely considered a spiritual, rather than religious, practice that in no way challenges a yogi's personal beliefs. "I always say to people that I was raised a Catholic, and I went to Jesuit schools my whole life," says Lynne Begier, founder of Back Bay Yoga Studio in Boston. "You can make yoga as spiritual as you want, and you won't be preached to and required to do anything you're not comfortable with."
Do you know what makes me angry about this article? Im angry because America, and Americans don't give credit to Eastern religions for creating the whole concept of Yoga. Of course theres going to be "chants in an unfamiliar language" because it was created by old Indian men who spoke Sanskrit! I mean you're not "required to do anything" because thats the whole point of Hinduism. By practicing Yoga you ARE practicing a few main tenets of the Hindu religion. Yoga is "spiritual." Im not one to usually care about talking religious crap but things like this just make me angry..