ipl-logo

Exploring The Role Of The Religious Traditions Of Yoga In Hinduism

627 Words3 Pages

Assignment 2

Yoga is a religious practice that originally stems from Vedic tradition and is traditionally practiced in India. Yoga is a philosophical school in Hinduism, and at its broadest meaning is a practice to control the senses and ultimately the mind. There are many schools and traditions of Yoga depending on the religion. According to the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text, there are four paths of yoga: bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), karma (action), and dhyana (concentration). The four paths are distinct but interdependent to one another ("Yoga Hindu Origins | Hindu American Foundation (HAF)"). The ultimate goal of Yoga practice is to attain moksha, meaning liberation or release from the samsara, the cycle of reincarnation (Sharma, 113). In Hindu tradition, moksha is one of the four purusartha, or aspects and goals of human life. Yoga blends a mix of …show more content…

The traditional views of yoga are more spiritual with the purpose of liberation. However, only a small aspect of Yoga is the physical posture, or Asana, aspect. In the western contemporary view, Yoga is a means for physical fitness. Yoga can still be seen as spiritual, however it is not widely practiced in the western world with the Vedas, the dharma, or the yoga sutras in mind (Matus, 1184). Yoga has become very commercialized in the western world, and is practiced as an entity separate from its spiritual beginnings. Many places to practice yoga exist all around the united states and its popularity is rising. Many different forms of western yoga have been created, such as chair yoga or couple’s yoga, which do not exist traditionally. In addition, yoga is seen as a very beneficial health practice which aids with high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain (US Dept. of Health). Essentially, yoga has left its spiritual roots when it moved towards the western world and is primarily used as a form of

Show More
Related
1313 Words | 6 Pages

The four aims of life are Kama, Artha, Dharma, and Moksha. Kama is sensual pleasure, Artha is wealth and power, Dharma is duty, and Moksha is the ultimate goal. The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred song in the Mahabharata that is a dialogue on the ethics of war and dates between 200 B.C.E. - 200 C.E. The central problem in the Gita is the dharma, a sanskrit term that translates to the duty, law, justice, truth, order, righteousness, virtue, ethics, and even religion. The three yoga techniques that move one closer to Mocka are Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, and Bhakti yoga.

Read More
513 Words | 3 Pages

Jennifer Macmaster who has a master degree is a 26 years old female. She is a secondary school teacher. She spends most of the time at school, so sometimes she feels tired. Thus, she starts to do exercise. Especially, she likes to do yoga because it can make her feel relax.

Read More
623 Words | 3 Pages

London: Equinox, 2007. Print. Peter Connolly’s book is an overview of the history and traditions involved with yoga. It discusses how the practice has evolved throughout time into what it has become today and well as the basis on which it was intended for. It goes beyond discussing the physical practices and explores the spiritual dimensions as well.

Read More
189 Words | 1 Pages

The reason Hinduism is so varied is due to the variety of texts and scriptures that makeup the Hindu belief system. Many of these beliefs were not originally written down, rather much like Buddhism; they were simply passed down generation to generation. The Rig Vedas, is known as the most important of the Hindu scriptures due to the account of the origin of the universe. (Molloy 2013) Although the Vedas are the primary scriptures, there are others including Agama, Tantra, etc.

Read More
1567 Words | 7 Pages

They provide yoga service programs to reach deep into communities to support resilienceand healing. From school programs that give kids the tools to focus their minds, to classes thatunite people who have sustained injury or illness, or who are coping with the long-term effects ofviolence and conflict, these programs make yoga and meditation accessible to a wide variety ofunique communities. The Here to Be program is designed to support, unite and amplify the workof the yoga service community. We partner with best-in-class nonprofit organizations globallywho make the healing benefits of yoga and meditation accessible to all. Each year, we grant tolocal organizations through our global network of stores, and invest in national and internationalprograms that create access at scale.

Read More
967 Words | 4 Pages

As yoga has progressed through hundreds of years of teachings, it seems to have lost its

Read More
650 Words | 3 Pages

Since then, the dreams eight-year-old me had have only grown greater, into something bigger. Rather than admire the photos of yoga poses in the mountains, I developed this drive to conquer those mountains myself. Each savasana I took at the end of my practices cultivated the passion and abundance I have to offer this world that is in constant, overwhelming motion. Each sun rise run helped tackle the limits

Read More
797 Words | 4 Pages

The wordNatya refers to music and movement while yoga refers to exercise of the eight guiding principles of yoga such as: ashta anga yoga which lead to meditation. This study defines treatment possibilities for schizophrenia and showcases yoga therapy as an evolving treatment. Keywords:, schizophrenia, yoga therapy movement, meditation music. Research question: Can yoga successfully control symptoms of a thought illness such as schizophrenia? The design study endorsed that for this population, practices of yoga and natya did create an inner meditative calm, free from and anxiety agitation.

Read More
2642 Words | 11 Pages

This purification gives grounds for new creation and opportunity. Although there are several Hindu entities associated with yoga, Shiva brings the art of meditation to its purest form. In Shiva, meditation represents letting go of everything that has form. Shiva is said to have many forms. One form is known as Nataraj.

Read More
1220 Words | 5 Pages

Using yoga as an alternative, or a supplement, to practical therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for the treatment of PTSD could greatly impact overall success of treatment for the

Read More
699 Words | 3 Pages

4. Your body is the most beautiful instrument you have Whether you have a pear, apple, or hourglass shape, or you're slender or muscular, it doesn't matter. Yoga is for all body types. You don't need to look a certain way to practice yoga.

Read More
603 Words | 3 Pages

Hinduism is the world’s oldest and most dominant religion of India. Yoga is a fundamental part of the Hindu religion and is a precise practical method of spiritual training. There are quite a few different practices of yoga within the Hindu religion; including Bhakti, Raja, and Jnana. Each practice of yoga functions differently within the religion.

Read More
818 Words | 4 Pages

Another study at the U.S. National Institute of Health had participants do yoga every day for eight weeks, and take brain scans before and after. These scans showed that a part of the brain called the amygdala, which controls fear, anxiety and stress, had shrunk after the 8 weeks of yoga practice. Physical activity/exercise helps increase the chemical norepinephine which helps relieve stress. Exercise also helps increase endorphins in the brain which makes people feel happier and less

Read More
971 Words | 4 Pages

When you hear someone say I'm going to yoga class you tend to think it’s a woman, but that shouldn't be the case because this past semester I have taken yoga class and I'm a 20 year old college guy, not your typical yoga type, I tend t be a little on the hot head side sometimes but taking this class has helped tremendously with many situations, such as stress, frustration and aggravation. Honestly, this class was not really my thing I wasn't too excited about it when I heard I was put into it but it does help with my peace of mind. I typically have certain goals or at least a purpose for taking a class like this but this one I didn't really have an actual reason to take it, it was something that I really thought would be completely useless too me but it's improved my mental and physical attitude toward most things.

Read More
1261 Words | 6 Pages

The Benefits of Yoga Yoga’s aim is to unite the mind, body and spirit. It is very therapeutic and relaxing but more than that, yoga have numerous health benefits that the body can enjoy. Yogis view the mind and body as one and if given the right tools and done at the right place, the body functions harmoniously and have the ability to heal itself.

Read More

More about Exploring The Role Of The Religious Traditions Of Yoga In Hinduism

Related Topics

Open Document