CGNYC

I was just listening to something on NPR about this book,
Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga: Benjamin Lorr: 9780312672904: Amazon.com: Books , specifically about the narcissistic element of yoga that people don't want to talk about.

Josephine

LOL is that what you think yoga does? Or does it? I never heard of that.

spiderlashes5000

That's what it does. No LOL

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

LAwoman

I never felt pushed into being Hindu or New Age by practicing yoga.

CurlyCurlies

I like yoga, but I haven't attended a formal class since college. I use DVDs and video podcasts to practice. I like having floor length mirror right beside me, too, so that I can make sure my form matches the person's on screen.

Mostly, I use it to stretch out after doing some cardio, but I do want to get to a point where I practice everday.

__________________

spiderlashes5000

Yoga is one of the six āstika ("orthodox") schools of Hindu philosophy.

I'm not sure how you would practice yoga w/o practicing Hinduism. From the goals of yoga to the physical poses, it's all based on spirtualism and worship.

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

RedCatWaves

It's a common fundamentalist christian belief that yoga is of the devil and yogis are trying to steal good christians away and indoctrinate them into their yoga religion.

spiderlashes5000

Or that we accept and respect Hinduism but just don't care to practice it.

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

Josephine

I know it's origins are in hinduism but never heard of yoga teaching or forcing hinduism on anyone.

curlylaura

I wonder when my wii fit game will start pushing Hinduism?

__________________
Fat does not make you fat. It's actually pretty important.

spiderlashes5000

If the instructor is telling me to salute the sun, to worship the eternal presence of Vishnu, to release the flow of my life force and to immerse myself as one with the spirit, it has crossed the line IMO from a physical activity to spiritual practice.

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

LAwoman

Where, pray tell, are you hearing this messaging?

Because I've taken many, many classes and done dozens of yoga videos and I've NEVER heard phrases of this nature uttered --- ever.

spiderlashes5000

Salute the sun/sun god and release the flow of lfe force are statements made in every yoga class i've ever taken.

A while ago on NC, we were discusing this and a boardie who teaches yoga admitted she says this stuff but just puts it in for effect bc she thought people liked it.

And I was like, WE DON'T!

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

NetG

Isn't Christianity and the variations upon it the only religion which really tries to push people into practicing it all the time? Yes, I count Mormonism as an offshoot as well. At least in this country I've never heard of having religion pushed by any other religious base.

Well, unless you count scientology as a religion, and I can't keep a straight face and do that.

The description of that book sounds very... repulsive, to put it nicely. I think the extreme of just about anything can be pretty repulsive to those who aren't involved in it, but ick. I can see narcissistic element from that - but in general I don't get where there's competitiveness from yoga. Can you explain a little since I haven't read the book, what you mean by the narcissistic element, or if it just has to do with competitions?

I could see the way I use yoga - focusing internally, on myself, evenness, straightness, etc., as being called a narcissistic element, I'm just guessing that is NOT what you meant.

]About like I am not practicing Christianity each time I kneel on the floor, since usually it means I'm picking something up or playing with my dog.

Or, heck, if I pray to G-d, I'm not praying to Jesus even if a Christian calls him their lord and savior. Just because of what one group calls something doesn't mean you can't do something with the same name and NOT be practicing that religion.

Then again, Christianity also has that same trouble with synonyms when it comes to marriage...

Have you ever taken a yoga class? Because... I'm not so sure that has ever happened in a real yoga class.

__________________
The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

spiderlashes5000

When did you become so rude and condescending? (I'm sensing a blockage of your chi!)

And why are you taking my opinion so personally? Are you feeling some personal guilt about practicing it?

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

NetG

I don't think I'm the one reflecting myself back into her opinion.


I asked a legitimate question, though. Have you ever been to a class? Because if anything like you said happened in a class - yeah, I'd never return there, and don't blame you for that. It's not at all what a yoga class should be like. If you haven't ever been to yoga, well, believe those of us who have, you don't have the correct opinion of what it's like.

There's nothing wrong with not liking yoga, and I can understand why the folks who don't like it don't who have posted in this thread. But trying to claim it's some sneak attack at making people practice Hindu is just misinformed and false in general - though it's totally possible there are some weirdos out there who do just that.

__________________
The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

murrrcat

there are christian yoga things, I've seen them before. just so ya know.

__________________

spiderlashes5000

It's not a legitimate question as I've already said I've taken yoga classes.

I never said it was a "sneak attack." I said it is the practice of a form of spiritualism I don't want to participate in.

There is nothing false about saying yoga is a branch of hinduism and incorporates hindu spiritualism into the practice.

You're not a yoga authority (as far as I know) and not the arbiter of what does and does not take place in a yoga class or what should or should not.

Honestly, it sounds to be like you are experiencing some religious dissonance and it's making you uncomfortable.

(Maybe some TM will help you work through it?)

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

spiderlashes5000

Yeah, I know; I've heard. And I guess some people love it. I'm still iffy on that. But hey, if it works for you!

__________________
3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

NetG

What on earth is TM?


And, no, I'm NOT the one who feels threatened and as if I'm in some way "not good enough" for my religion or whatever. You, however, do feel highly threatened. Perhaps you should inspect your own beliefs, your life, and decide for yourself (no need to report back here) what you need to do to feel less threatened.

__________________
The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!