People often assume that practicing yoga aligns one with Hinduism or Buddhism. This is far from the reality of what yoga is, and what yoga offers. Regardless of your religous or spiritual associations, yoga creates an opportunity for us to connect with our 'higher power', the power that is greater than ourselves. It does not discrimiate, it is not exclusive and it does not promote or push any specific following. This is one of the many reasons that I connect so deeply with this practice, it is personal and it does not judge.
A few close friends have mentioned to me that although they are interested in trying yoga, they fear they may feel disloyal to their own faith by doing so. If you have similar feelings, I hope I can allay your fears and assure you that yoga will not preach or push, it will only enhance your current spiritual practice and give you the opportunity to connect with YOUR higher power.
An excerpt from B.K.S Iyengar's book Light on Life, explains this beautifully:
"Yoga is not meant to be a religion or a dogma for any one culture. While yoga sprang from the soil of India, it is meant as a universal path, open to all regardless of their birth and background...There is no difference in the soul, What I call the 'Seer', the difference comes only between the 'garments' of the seer - the ideas about ourselves that we wear. Break them. Do not feed them with divisive ideas. This is what yoga teaches."
This open, accepting approach extends further than the spirtiual aspect of yoga, it permeates the entire practice. In our most recent teacher training session I was giving a demonstration of chair back arch. I excitedly jumped through the bar of my chair and began to demonstrate to the group. I was quickly stopped by our teacher who said, "You jumped into the chair like a cat! How would somebody in their 60's, who has arthritis been able to get into the pose the way that you just did?" I was then showed how to get into this pose in a way that would be accessible to all. In yoga, there are modifications for EVERY pose whether it is through the use of props or a simple variation with the body.
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| Chair back arch |
Later on in our teacher training session, this theme of 'open to all' presented itself again as we were running through teaching Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana). This is quite an intense pose and requires a good degree of strength and flexibility. But again, we were shown three different variations that would make it possible for any student to try it, be it a beginner or a more adept yogi.
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| VARIATION 1: Supported Bridge pose for those who have trouble keeping the pelvis lifted once away from the floor. |
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| VARIATION 2: Partner work using a belt around the upper chest to increase the lift and opening of the entire chest area. This feels wonderful!!! |
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| VARIATION 3: Full bridge pose |
B.K.S Iyengar is one of the world's leading teachers of yoga and was one of the first to introduce yoga to the West. However he started out in life as a very ill child with many health problems. He initially approached yoga purely for the physical benefits, with no understanding of the emotional, spiritual and esoteric aspects of the practice.
Early in his yoga journey, Iyengar realised that this practice had much more to offer than physical well being. "Yoga brought tremendous physical benefits and helped me grow from a sickly child into a reasonably fit and agile young man. My own body was the laboratory, in which I saw the health benefits of yoga, but I could already see that yoga would have as many benefits for my head and heart as it did for my body."
Regardless of your age, gender, religious beliefs, or condition of health, yoga is for you! It does not discrimitate, it does not advocate, and it should not intimidate. If you have always wanted to try yoga but felt you had to 'be' a certain way (whether that is physically, mentally or spiritually), I hope you find reassurance here that the only way you have to BE is excatly who YOU are, right NOW at this moment in time. All that you have to DO is give it a try!
"When you and I meet together, we forget ourselves - our cultures and classes. There are no divisions, and we talk mind to mind, soul to soul. We are no different in our deepest needs. We are all human." ~ B.K.S Iyengar
