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