It’s a fact that many people are uncomfortable about Yoga because for many people Yoga associated with Hinduism. I even heard that in some countries, some religious authorities explicitly prohibit Yoga practice! Moreover for most of the major religions it is an unspoken rule that Yoga only comes with Hinduism and therefore is not recommended or prohibited. I’m not mentioning names, religions, countries only out of respect – curious reader could easily find such materials in the Internet on the sites of respective information agencies, and even more – by asking friends (if they open to talk about it) – I asked many times and I was stroke by the negativity and lack of understanding in answers. And similar problem there is for agnostics…
Before even going further – I want to mention that all religions and in general many people of all walks of life use Yoga techniques in their daily activities. – From Yoga inspired sport routines, breathing techniques for relaxation and medical purposes, all kinds of “meditation” techniques for concentration, stress relief, prayer, etc. to explicit borrowing from Buddist techniques (originated from Yoga techniques too) and Yoga tools. This is how our cultures develop – through exchange. – There is no shame in drinking tea or eating oranges – even if none of it grows in some Northern Europe country, right? there is no shame is using Arabic symbols for numbers. Etc. there is a lot of benefit everywhere – where people open to each other. Putting labels and borders – that what divides us. There is no need to put label “Hinduism” next to label “Yoga”. There are many wonderful things discovered and shared – they are all yours and mine.
Now, let’s come back to Yoga and Hinduism in particular. Sure, Yoga tools are originating from India and sure cultural language surrounding it is connected to Hinduism. But there is no need to become a Hindu to practice Yoga, to use its tools.
Here is an example. I was reading today a great, inspiring book by Swami Sivananda before my evening meditation session. And I found in the book a card with a picture of Lakshmi (one of my friends in Yoga put it there for me I suppose 
). [I put one of the pictures I found with Google on the right so that you can see it too.] Lakshmi is one of the goddesses in Hinduism, goddesses of prosperity in particular (see coins poring from her hands?). Does it mean that a person would undermine his/her system of believes if he read or hear about Lakshmi at one of the Yoga events? – I don’t think so. Here is a simple proposal, a first step if you wish: think about Hindu gods in Yoga books as symbols. Lakshmi could be a symbol of inner richness for example, richness you share with others – a true one. This is quite universal symbolism, isn’t it?
Try this recipe 
– This is also a good way, first step forward in unlocking philosophical meaning of complex books. – To see symbols as such and not to be blindfolded by them in one or another way…
By the way, connecting to another recent post, “How Ashtanga is your Ashtanga Yoga? 7 reasons why it may not be…“, all these Yoga and Hinduism issues – are probably some of the reasons why Yoga is known on the West mainly as a set of some physical exercises (exercises that often don’t even originate in form or spirit from Yoga… Interesting, right? (Ignorance – closes doors and builds fences…)
Many thanks for reading this quite a long post. Please leave your comments below – let me know what do you think about all this. What is your experience, wisdom on this? (registering in this Yoga Community Blog is free and everyone is welcome to participate!).
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December 26th, 2009 | Tags: 
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