Thursday, August 7, 2008

The Art Of Yoga And It's Amazing Health Benefits

By Wendy Brausch


Yoga does not seem to command the same form of respect from modern day society as it once did in the past. Globalization seems to have a devastating impact on this ancient concept. To make it easy for the common man to understand, the whole philosophy has been reduced to a simple concept.

Westerners may find the contents to be complex and not easily understood. In order to be viewed as a person of wisdom, some people who have been exposed to this ancient art have invested their time to learn a little more, only to gain a superficial understanding of the real essence of yoga and then proceed to talk about it as though they are the recognized experts. Unfortunately, the western world seems to place the physical aspects of yoga as the main focus. There is more to yoga than the mere attainment of inner balance and serenity.

It is one of the six schools of Hindu thoughts has roots deep within the pages of the Hindu Holy Scriptures. Indians understand that is not a mere physical activity, but yoga is part of a spiritual development that is realized through a systematic and disciplined physical approach. It is unfortunate that the western world would approach yoga as a mere physical activity. Yoga with its strange looking symbols may seem mystical to the average Joe, is often enough to perk up a considerable level of interest in the hidden aspects of this ancient practice, but sadly, they are often misunderstood.

Operating from the wrong paradigm, yoga became a form of sports in the western world. Nevertheless many have been attracted to yoga as a form of practice to achieve inner peace and balance. The allure of yoga as an effective way to gain inner peace and balance has beckoned many to embrace this activity as well.

The so called experts in this industry have been quick to use these promises and people have been fascinated. There is plenty of evidence to show that yoga has been wrongly implemented in the West. Different groups practicing yoga have its own cultural structure and these influences are responsible for those fatal errors detected in the practice of this ancient art.

The busy western lifestyles certainly do not provide much space to contemplate on this philosophy. While meditation is an integral part of the practice, the westerners with their ever busy lifestyles certainly do not posses time for such luxuries. The Hindus have a different set of value system that is very different from the west, and places low importance in the mere accumulation of physical wealth. Unless these values are changed, it is impossible for westerners to achieve the true wisdom and enlightenment as defined by the parameters of the Hindu religion.

To gain maximum benefits from each meditation session, one needs to spare time and exercise tremendous patience in carrying out each essential part of the practice. The westerners do not place a high degree of importance in the attainment of philosophical wisdom, as it does for the accumulation of massive wealth and gaining power.

Yoga becomes a stylish endeavor instead of a spiritual experience. There is a lot of information going out promoting yoga as a form of sports. In fact you can grab any of those and start practicing yoga anywhere you want to. Even the famous people who are fake yoga gurus have garnered a lot of support from their disciples. This crooked philosophy has been widely spread by its loyal followers.

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