RECLAIMING YOGA!
This page is dedicated to success stories in reclaiming the Yoga/Hindu spiritual disciplines to their rightful source. If you have an inspiring story, send it to classyoga@aol.com, and we will include it on this page. Please respect others privacy (for their safety), and remember it is the facts of Yoga/Hinduism that are most important and not simply any individual or group. Please, also, let us help those who seem to enjoy our Yoga/Hindu spiritual lifestyle. We can also help those who desire to become Hindus (a logical pre-requiste for a teacher) to do just that. Enjoy and be inspired!
This is from one who, like so many, was misled into thinking they were a "certified yoga teacher": "Seems that I was a lot misinformed. Only a truly enlightened person (a true Guru can speak authoritatively about such topics [yoga]). Therefore I back out. Thanks a lot from preventing me from misinforming any further."
The following was a conversation from a concerned group about a so-called "yoga class" in a local school: "I am very much opposed to the teaching by one who is not a Hindu and probably does not even know the difference between Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga! ... We were successful in convincing the school principle that yoga is indeed a fundamental part of a religious system ... Your writing was quite helpful in making our case to the school. I am dismayed to continue to read about yoga being introduced in public schools as a kind of "science" divorced from its religious teachings. ... we are still so willfully ignorant that we will buy this nonsense. In any case, I remain in you debt. Thank you."
The following is from a college Dean: "First, let me thank you for your letter expressing your concerns regarding offering "Yoga" as part of our physical education activity courses. Your letter has given us cause to discuss the title of this course and to make certain that what we teach in the course is accurately reflected by the title and the course description. We are therefore going to rename and revise the course description. [They subsequently offered a course in streching and relaxation.]... We take seriously our mission to raise the consciousness of our students with respect to other cultures. As I stated earlier, we have taken your request under advisement and will make the necessary revisions. If I may be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me." [Jai!!]
From a major Hospital Executive: "When your letter was received there was a new understanding brought to our attention and out of respect for the Hindu Faith community we will not schedule any additional yoga classes. [They, too, then offered a stretching class--which is appropriate] ... Once again I apologize on behalf of the Hospital for any unintentional insult experienced by the Hindu Faith Community due to us offering "Yoga." We were not aware that this was an offense until you called it to our attention. I trust our response assures you of our respect and consideration toward your faith practices."
"Hi, I understand what your point is, ... so we will never learn the religion unless a real "teacher" is around to stop us from "taking over" his religion ... I don't know what the answer is, I guess we should just say we are stretching and leave the religion out of it. Sorry it offends Hindu's in general, but like you said they need to stand up for themselves and go to the source of the problem."
From a concerned Christian to the following statement: Many Hindus are very upset about the blatant misuse of Yoga/Hinduism: " Of course, I don't blame them a bit, either. Most New Agers are very superficial, and they don't dig deep in what they absorb." and to the statement: People should know that if they are studying Yoga they are also being introduced into Hinduism: "I agree 100%!"
"Some people even think its [yoga] a new form of exercise invented by Americans! We live 'amongest' the insane!"
The following is from a brave young Hindu student: "When I started in school here, there was a yoga class being taught and it was called "yoga the exercise of the champions." I complained that it (the name and what was being taught) was disrespectful towards Hindus and could they please change the name, for this has nothing to do with "yoga." I was ignored, so I tried and tried again (40 times) I wrote letters and asked my classmates not to go to yoga class. I thought it was going to work until I was suspended for being disruptive, then my family (you gotta love em) got involved and we got the name changed. But, now I am known as "miss yogi." Like one of my friends said to me, "if ya wanna be a rebel ya gotta live with the consequences and the name that follows." But that was two years ago and things kinda calmed down now. Thanks for listening."
Here is one from an ex-"certified yoga teacher:" I should have done my home-work before I went for "yoga certification," but I also blame those in charge who are handing out these bogus certifications."
Typically, most fitness clubs (that misrepresent yoga as simply exercise) are very arrogant in their responses, however here is a refreshing response from an obviously mature and educated individual who is thinking of opening a fitness club: "I agree with your comments about "yoga" having become a mainstream exercise routine that many whom participate do not appreciate the spiritual connection it means to provide. I would like to offer a genuine spiritual yoga program found at very few fitness facilities. Having an Exercise Physiology (M.A.) background, I appreciate the training and education that true "yoga" (forgive my use of the word yoga) instructors bring to the participants of their classes. I would appreciate if you would provide me with any information as how to set up a proper offering of spiritual classes to preserve the tradition upon which yoga was founded in the Hindu religion."
*Here is one from a Christian who was duped by a "new-age yoga" group into thinking that yoga was just an exercise: "Even the physical positions in Yoga come right out of the Hindu scriptures, and are designed to put one into this state of consciousness where you imagine that you are God. Therefore, Christians who think they're getting relaxation and or exercise, are really getting Hinduism! They think they're getting science, but they're getting religion. It's mislabeled and it's dangerous!" [Of course, what is dangerous and outright dishonest is to not disclosure that one is teaching a particular religion. Of course the average "modern" so-called "yogi" has never made a mature commitment to the Hindu (Buddhist, Jain or Sikh) religion(s), and therefore the deception is even more disrespectful and dishonest.]