Yoga mats, Fitness, and Equipment

Yoga and Taoism developed geographically very close to each other, India and China respectively, although in dramatically different cultures. The development of Taoism is very obscure, it is believed by some to be an ancient folk-religion whose original meanings have been lost or perverted. It is more commonly attributed to Laozi, literally “great master”, who was considered to be a contemporary of Confucius.

Scholars debate on whether he actually existed, or was merely an amalgamation of many philosophers and great men of the time, but nonetheless the philosophy has become synonymous with Chinese culture. There are a lot of popular mythology about Laozi, in one legend he was conceived when his mother gazed upon a falling star and lived in her womb for sixty two years until emerging fully grown, which is similar to many religious myths. It is also believed that he has been reincarnated over and over and is responsible for spreading the Tao to India where it was easily blended with their spiritual and physical belief system called yoga.

Yoga originated in India and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. In some forms yoga is considered the control of the senses and the cessation of mental activity leading to spiritual enlightenment or a supreme state. Its philosophy is closely intertwined with the Taoist belief of wu wei, or effortless action. It is the belief in the invisible power inherent in all objects. It is associated with water’s yielding nature. Water is soft and weak, but can cut through stone and move earth. Harmony is stressed, and mans will is not the root problem, but it should be used harmoniously with nature which is very similar to yoga teachings.

Yoga and Buddhism are closely associated as well, Zen Buddhists teach yoga as the path to enlightenment, the meditation methods of the early Buddha and yoga meditations are very similar. Tibetan Buddhists also practice controlled breathing methods to slow the heart and bodily poses as forms of meditation.

Yoga can be practiced for exercise or for the attainment of “Moksha”, which literally means “release” and is the end of the life and rebirth cycle in Hindu religions. It is the highest state of consciousness a person can attain where time, space, matter and energy are understood as “maya”. Maya is the belief that there is no distinction between the self and the universe. Someone who has attained Moksha understands that they are the universe, and so is everything else. It is achieved by the stilling of all passions and desires, a state known as Nirvana.

While yoga evolved as a spiritual practice, in Western societies it has become very popular as an exercise, very little or no Hinduism and spirituality is ever taught. The debate about whether it has debased a holy religious practice is moot. Yoga promotes ideals of harmony, health and balance as well as finding ones own spirituality and is unknowingly promoting multiculturalism. Whether Hatha yoga is practiced for health or spiritual enlightenment, or Bikram Yoga, a popular modern take on yoga involving very hot rooms, is practiced, Yoga is beneficial for anyone who has the desire to learn and meditate.

 

 

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