FAQ'S ABOUT YOGA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOGA

 

Q. IS YOGA JUST AN EXERCISE? No. Stretching exercises are just that, however when the word YOGA is used, it means much more than that. Yoga means "spiritual union." The popular physical postures (asanas) are one part of the many facets of (Classical) Yoga/Hinduism rightly termed "Hatha Yoga."

 

Q. DOES IT COST MONEY TO LEARN YOGA? No. Since all of Yoga is religious/spiritual, it is highly unethical to charge money for intimate spiritual teachings–this would be like charging money to get into a church, for example. All true personal religious/spiritual teachings are given only on a donation basis (of course, publications and other material things are another matter).

 

Q. IS YOGA RELIGION? Yes. The words Yoga and Religion have an identical meaning. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit Yuj which means "to yoke" to the spirit. Religion comes from the Latin Religio which means "to link-back" to the spirit. Religion is also about ethical rules, regulations and religious rituals which are also found in the many aspects of Yoga. Religion is also about organization. (Actually when as few as two get together and discuss "things spiritual," we have the beginning of a religious organization with the inevitable rules, regulations and rituals.) Yoga, too, is a well organized system of religious beliefs and practices. There are also countless organized groups that gather together to practice various aspects of Yoga.

 

Q. IS YOGA A SPECIFIC RELIGION? Yes. The many aspects of Yoga constitute the religion of Hinduism. Hinduism is also known by the Sanskrit term Sanatan Dharma. There are three other religions that have evolved from Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism; i.e., the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religions.

 

Q. DOES ONE HAVE TO BE A HINDU TO STUDY ANY ASPECT OF YOGA? No. Just as anyone is free to study any other religion, all are welcome to study and practice the various aspects of Yoga/Hinduism.

 

Q.WHO ARE THE TEACHERS OF YOGA? QUALIFIED HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, JAINS. Just as the teacher in any other religion is (without question) a member of that religion, the true teacher of any aspect of Yoga is either a Hindu, Buddhist or Jain (though Hatha Yoga is very specifically Hindu).

 

Q. CAN ANYONE BECOME A HINDU? Yes. Just as anyone can become a Christian, for example, anyone who so desires can become a Hindu. Those who are born into a Hindu family undergo certain ceremonial rituals as does the one who either converts or adopts (having had no previous religious commitment) to Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism.

 

Q. IS THE "YOGA" TAUGHT IN GYMS, HEALTH CLUBS, ETC. TRUE YOGA? No. Again, all of Yoga is religious/spiritual and Hinduism. When "Yoga" is taught by basically anyone as just another exercise routine for money, not only are the "teacher" and student misled but also this is a grave insult to all devout Hindus--indeed to all who understand the wisdom of following a spiritual/religious path.

 

Q. ARE THERE CERTIFIED YOGA TEACHERS? No. Like "health club yoga," this is actually a misnomer. There is really no such thing as a certified yoga teacher. This is simply another way of commercializing what are the profound religious/spiritual teachings of Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism.

 

Q. CAN ONE BECOME A TEACHER OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF YOGA? Yes. Teaching the various aspects of Classical Yoga/Hinduism is a joyful but serious endeavor. Like all spiritual/religious teachers, one first becomes a member of a specific religion and then one may perhaps (with adequate training and experience) one day be looked to as a teacher.

 

 

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