I really enjoyed this post. I consider myself a Christian only in the “raised as Christian in a predominantly Christian society” sense of the word. That being said, Namaste at the end of class **feels** like saying Amen to me at the end of a prayer. It convokes (for me at least) that same sense of spirit, and has done so since I first started taking yoga 11 yrs ago, long before I knew what the word even meant.
If you’re thinking of delving deeper into the philosophical / spiritual side of yoga, there are two books I’d recommend:
1) “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice”, by T. K. V. Desikachar — good foundation for the physical practice, linking it to the breath, and a great translation at the back of the “Yoga Sutras” which are the first written codifications (?) of the ancient Indian teachings about Yoga.
2) “The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras” by Nischala Joy Devi
The second is a lot more “granola-y” in it’s interpretation, but between the two of them, you find your own balance. What I particularly enjoy about the Desikachar version is his interpretation that yoga brings you closer to God — he does *not* say “Hindu” god, “Muslim” god, “Christian” god — just God. My interpretation is that this means Yoga is compatible with all / any religion — if that means you pull out the rosary while doing final meditation, and chant the Hail Mary, go for it.
Thanks again for a great post – very informative – also glad I don’t have to feel like a slacker about not doing / liking the intense cardio.
Thanks for the feedback, Heather. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And you are certainly not a slacker for preferring the more traditional versions of yoga. The books you recommend sound interesting and I will check them out. I would like to understand it more than I do currently. And I would like to explore in more depth some of the controversy surrounding yoga for Christians. You and I may not find it a problem but I know there are many who are not necessarily opposed to it but do not participate in yoga because they are unsure. There’s seems to be a dearth of information delving into that as far as I have seen.
Yes, my Great Aunt has in as many words told me I’m going to hell for practicing meditation. Oh well, add it to the long list of things I’m going to hell for. Never mind that I feel closer to God **because** of my yoga practice.
Whatever is true,
Whatever is noble,
Whatever is right,
Whatever is Pure,
Whatever is Lovely,
Whatever is Admirable-
If anything is excellent
or praiseworthy-
Think about such things.
I really enjoyed this post. I consider myself a Christian only in the “raised as Christian in a predominantly Christian society” sense of the word. That being said, Namaste at the end of class **feels** like saying Amen to me at the end of a prayer. It convokes (for me at least) that same sense of spirit, and has done so since I first started taking yoga 11 yrs ago, long before I knew what the word even meant.
If you’re thinking of delving deeper into the philosophical / spiritual side of yoga, there are two books I’d recommend:
1) “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice”, by T. K. V. Desikachar — good foundation for the physical practice, linking it to the breath, and a great translation at the back of the “Yoga Sutras” which are the first written codifications (?) of the ancient Indian teachings about Yoga.
2) “The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras” by Nischala Joy Devi
The second is a lot more “granola-y” in it’s interpretation, but between the two of them, you find your own balance. What I particularly enjoy about the Desikachar version is his interpretation that yoga brings you closer to God — he does *not* say “Hindu” god, “Muslim” god, “Christian” god — just God. My interpretation is that this means Yoga is compatible with all / any religion — if that means you pull out the rosary while doing final meditation, and chant the Hail Mary, go for it.
Thanks again for a great post – very informative – also glad I don’t have to feel like a slacker about not doing / liking the intense cardio.
Thanks for the feedback, Heather. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And you are certainly not a slacker for preferring the more traditional versions of yoga. The books you recommend sound interesting and I will check them out. I would like to understand it more than I do currently. And I would like to explore in more depth some of the controversy surrounding yoga for Christians. You and I may not find it a problem but I know there are many who are not necessarily opposed to it but do not participate in yoga because they are unsure. There’s seems to be a dearth of information delving into that as far as I have seen.
Yes, my Great Aunt has in as many words told me I’m going to hell for practicing meditation. Oh well, add it to the long list of things I’m going to hell for. Never mind that I feel closer to God **because** of my yoga practice.