| There is an interesting press release from Medical | | | | culture from India. For some Christians, the concept of |
| News Today. The article is titled, "Yoga Day USA and | | | | union with the self and God is blasphemy. Some |
| The Distortion of Yoga in America." | | | | Christians, Jews, and Moslems will not participate in |
| Within this article, the "Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga," | | | | mantras, for religious reasons. Therefore, Yoga outside |
| come under fire. The reasons stated are, "stress relief, | | | | of India, is interpreted much differently. |
| pain relief, better breathing, flexibility, increased strength, | | | | In defense of the Yoga Alliance, who is the sponsor of |
| weight management, improved circulation, | | | | Yoga Day USA, they have to walk a fine line within |
| cardiovascular conditioning, better body alignment, and | | | | multi-cultural societies in the West. Within the United |
| focus on the present - for health reasons." | | | | States, there are groups who work to have the word, |
| However, the author mentions that these are not the | | | | "God" removed from U.S. currency, the Bible removed |
| authentic reasons for Yoga. It is mentioned early, within | | | | from our courtrooms, and Christmas trees removed |
| this statement that, "union between Atman and | | | | from the premises of government buildings. |
| Brahman, Jivatman and Paramatman, and Shiva and | | | | For the sake of argument, if the promotions of Yoga |
| Shakti, or the realization of Purusha standing alone as | | | | Day USA stated, "the roots of Yoga come from the |
| separate from Prakriti," are some of the authentic | | | | ancient tradition of Sanatana Dharma, out of which has |
| reasons for Yoga. | | | | grown Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and other |
| While this is true, and Yoga's purpose is for physical, | | | | traditions;" this would be exactly what the Western |
| mental, and spiritual health - many Yoga students in the | | | | religious fundamentalists leaders want. That is to claim |
| United States do not hear of it, unless they attend a | | | | Yoga is a "front" for exporting Eastern religions. |
| Yoga teacher training workshop. If most Yoga | | | | Instead of criticizing Yoga Day USA, why not accept |
| students in the United States wanted to learn about | | | | the fact that the physical aspects of Yoga are easier |
| union of the Jiva and Brahman, then Bhakti Yoga | | | | for most people to grasp. If Yoga students want to |
| would have flourished on the American Continents, | | | | seek a deeper connection to God, they will eventually |
| instead of Hatha Yoga. | | | | find it. It would be wise for all for us to genuinely |
| However, Americans have a completely different | | | | practice a little more non-judgment and tolerance. |