Yoga Philosophy | Yoga as a Spiritual Tool
Yoga, East and West: Connections and Differences
The term "yoga" derives from Sanskrit. Roughly translated it refers to the joining (or yoking) of the individual with the universal soul.
Yoga is actually not just one, but an entire family of practical and spiritual philosophies. All yoga incarnations can trace their roots back to ancient India, where yoga is regarded as a tool for achieving a more enlightened life. Even today, after thousands of years, yoga continues to be an active and essential part of everyday living in India.
In India, as it was millennia ago, the practice of yoga involves components which are closely related to and bound up with Hinduism. Yoga is revered not only as a way to become and stay fit, calm the breathing, and quiet the mind, but also as a set of ethical and moral principles. It may involve spiritual guidance from a guru and repetitive chanting of specific sacred words or sounds called mantras.
Both Eastern and Western yoga proponents regard its regular practice as beneficial in that it is seen to improve health, enhance emotional well being, clear the mind, and bring on an overall uplifting effect. Unlike most Westerners, however, Indians regard yoga as a road leading toward the realization of what they call samadhi. Samadhi is deeply progressed meditative state of inner rapture.
Even among Easterners, yoga ideals are sometimes viewed through different lenses. In theistic Hinduism, yoga may be regarded as a way to achieve oneness with God. Alternatively, in Buddhism, which does not suggest a creator or god, yoga may be seen as helping people deepen their inner understanding, empathy, and powers of perception.
Yoga Goes West, as a Fitness Tool
Unlike the society-oriented, collectivist philosophy of the East, the United States, as is typical of much of the western hemisphere, is a strongly individualist culture. It is not surprising, therefore, that in this country most regard yoga as an efficient tool for self-actualization and personal fitness, one that is fully operational although requiring a minimum of gear. The more esoteric goals and possibilities of achieving Nirvana or even earthly bliss often do not make it onto the western gymnasium floors.
When most westerners think of yoga, they think of stretching positions and to a lesser extent breathing exercises. Westerners have come to associate yoga not with its many variations, but with Hatha Yoga, which has been adapted to the fitness focus and floor exercises so popular in the US. Most practice yoga with no more gear than can fit easily in a small gym bag.
It is fair to say that in the West, the spirituality of yoga has basically been stripped away and discarded like a cornhusk. It certainly has been disconnected from its Hindu roots. Americans love yoga as a way to keep fit, limber, and flexible. It is the exception rather than the rule to witness a westerner gear up for their daily jog or almost any form of exercise without warming up with what they consider yoga or yoga-like stretching positions. It is equally unusual to see todays amateur athlete gear down without stretching.
And since doctors largely agree that stretching and yoga are beneficial however far they have drifted from spirituality, one might rightly look at western attitudes and invoke the now-famous Seinfeld remark: "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"