Is Yoga a religion or exercise?
Yoga: Is it a Religion or Just an Exercise?
We get this question a lot. Although we’re not Yoga experts we’re Yoga fans and asked that question ourselves. So we do have some degree of knowledge to explain what makes Yoga a religion and what not. If you refer to ancient Hindu scripts there’s no doubt that Yoga started out as spiritual in nature and remain so in India. It had been around for thousands of years, some sources even say Yoga had been around for more than 5000 years.
Yoga’s origins come from India and it was first used by many religious gurus to meditate and enhance religious spirit. Those who follow Monotheistic religions are well aware that they are prohibited from associating God with any other form of religion or deities that may challenge God’s supreme position. So in that sense, will other people of various religions who practice Yoga as exercise become somehow a follower of Yoga’s spiritual side? We believe no and here’s why. So long as you practice Yoga as just another form of exercise and avoid the spiritual side of it, you’re not crossing over. You still can wholeheartedly follow your own religion and practice Yoga exercises as just another form of physical activity. However one must be very careful to avoid chantings and certain postures that may indicate worshiping.You may want to refer to your Yoga teacher and ask for more details about that. Majority of current Yoga teachers are well informed about the meaning of most of the Yoga postures.
Because of the immense mind and body control that Yoga requires, the physical benefits of Yoga as an exercise are vast and include every part of your body. From helping you become more flexible to helping your body detoxify your internal organs and glands, Yoga is a great way to exercise and get in shape. Yoga also helps you learn to breathe and helps your body create the lubricants it needs to keep joints, muscles, and the cartilage in your body at proper levels so you can stay healthy.
Yoga as exercise is a great way for you to feel better about yourself, and life in general. While this is also an aspect of religions, Yoga helps you achieve this trough exercise and meditation. Health benefits from Yoga as exercise are numerous and quite incredible. But so are the incredible mental benefits you can achieve from using Yoga as exercise as well.
There are some people who believe that Yoga is a religion, but they are confused by certain aspects of Yoga that can seem to be religious, and if a person isn’t careful, he or she can make the mistake that Yoga is a religion and not an incredible way to exercise.
For people who have used Yoga as an exercise for a period of time, they can attest to the incredible benefits of this wonderful form of exercise. Increased flexibility, a strong mental outlook, a calm and peaceful attitude, and a body that is detoxified and detoxifies itself on a regular basis are all benefits from using Yoga as exercise.
Those who use Yoga as exercise are also helping their bodies put off the aging process by keeping their joints functioning properly, keeping their muscles limber and strong, helping their heart and lungs by improving their breathing and helping their mental state through the intense meditation that is also part of the Yoga exercise regime.
If you are looking for a wonderful way to get in shape, mentally and physically, using Yoga as exercise is one of the most complete, intense, and rewarding forms of exercise you can do. Yoga is perfect for every age and every type of body. Yoga is a complete muscular and metal workout that everyone can do and do well.