YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY
Yoga is for everybody. This trite phrase is proclaimed by:1. The fundamentalist/universalist Hindu who believes that Hinduism and its many Yoga teachings and practices are The religion for everybody. Just like the Christian fundamentalist, for example, there are some Vaishnava and Saivite Hindu fundamentalists/universalists who claim, respectively, that Vishnu/Krishna and Siva are The One True God.
2. The cult leader out to establish their own personality and Yoga organization. Bikram Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, (ex) "Yogi" Amrit Desai and a host of Christian named "Yogis" are a few examples of those who make this dogmatic assertion.
3. Those who are uneducated in the various religious/spiritual traditions and are easily influenced by charismatic individuals and peer groups.
A mature Hindu will, of course, state that Hinduism and its many Yogas is open to anyone (so interested) to study. The same wisdom would apply towards the more mature in any religious/spiritual tradition.
YOGA FACTS The following is some factual information about the true nature of Yoga; i.e., the many, progressive religious/spiritual disciplines of the Hindu religion. Note: the word "Yoga" and all terms associated with these teachings and practices are of the Sanskrit language. San’skrit n. The ancient language of the Hindus ... [From: Webster’s Dictionary]Yo’ga n. [Sanskrit lit. union] Hinduism ... [From Webster’s]
Yo’ga: oneness of Atman and Brahman. [From: A Dictionary of Sanskrit Names] This is the true definition of the Sanskrit word "yoga."
At’man n. (Skr. atman breath, self) Hinduism ... [From Webster’s]
Brah’ma n. Hindu Religion ... [From Webster’s]
Yoga (yo’ga) (Skt.,=union) general term for spiritual disciplines in Hinduism ... [From Columbia Encyclopedia Sixth Edition 2000]
Yoga: a Hindu system ... [The Oxford American Dictionary]
Yoga: a system of Hindu religious philosophy ... [Thorndike Barnhardt Comprehensive Desk Dictionary]
Yoga: a Hindu discipline ... [The American Heritage Dictionary]
The Yoga System: One of the Six Acceptable Systems of Hindu Philosophy [From a secular book on comparative religions: Religions of Man Macmillan Co., 1969, 202-203.]
The first recorded evidence of the word "yoga" is found in the Vedas: "Seers of the vast illumined Seer yogically control their minds and intelligence." Rig Veda V.81.
Ve’da n. (Skr. knowledge, sacred lore.) The most ancient sacred literature of the Hindus. [From: Webster]
"Hinduism speaks of many different methods or paths to reach God. Of them four are considered major paths: (1) Bhakti Yoga--the path of devotion, (2) Jnana Yoga--the path of rational inquiry, (3) Raja Yoga--the path of mental concentration, and (4) Karma Yoga--the path of right action." (Bhaskarananda, Swami, The Essentials of Hinduism, Washington, Viveka Press, 1994, 115.)
Hatha Yoga is, of course, no exception to the indisputable fact of the Yoga/Hindu connection. Many of the postures are worshipful poses (asanas) only to the Hindu Deities such as: Matsyendrasana, Krounchasana, Surya Namaskar and Hanumanasana dedicated to the Hindu Spiritual Beings Siva, Muruga, Vishnu and Hanuman, respectively.
The popular Aum chant is fully described in the Hindu scriptures and is synonymous with the Hindu Deity Ganesha.
In an effort to instill common sense and respect for the specific spiritual practices of the many great religions of the world, it is a fact that there is not one mention of the word "yoga" in the Torah, Bible or Koran. Of course, all aspects of Yoga are fully detailed in the numerous Hindu scriptures and taught within Hindu Temples and organizations by qualified teachers.
The historical, extremist terrorism against Hindus/Hinduism is well documented. Unfortunately these incursions (in various forms) are as alive today as they were 2,000 years ago.
Since all of Yoga is Hinduism, it is only common sense and a sign of respect that the genuine teacher of any aspect of yoga be a qualified Hindu (Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs, sects of Hinduism, may also ethically teach). Also since all of Yoga is about the religious/spiritual teachings and practices of the Hindu religion, it is highly unethical to charge money for any form of Yoga service. No religion charges money for its basic religious services.