Tag: India
It might surprise many people to learn that yoga has a long history in the United States. For a lot of Americans, their knowledge of yoga may only date back to the 1960s, when the concepts of spiritualism and meditation were embraced by the countrys counterculture.
But it may surprise some people to learn that yoga in the U.S. has a history that dates back to the late 1800s.
In 1883, Swami Vivekananda made an appearance at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago where he greeted his sisters and brothers of America, a salutation that brought a standing ovation from the large audience in attendance. His idea that all of the religions of the world are merely separate parts of a larger religion was a new concept to those hearing him speak about the mind, body and spirit.
Swami Vivekananda was followed by Yogendra Mastamani, also from India, who arrived in the U.S. and settled on Long Island, N.Y. in 1919 and established the American version of Kaivalyadhama, an Indian organization that made major strides in the scientific exploration of yoga. Mastamani introduced Hatha Yoga to the United States.
One year later, one of the most popular yogis of all time, Paramahansa Yogananda, arrived in Boston to introduce kriya yoga to the U.S. He created the Self-Realization Fellowship, which now has its headquarters in Los Angeles. Yogananda also wrote the world-famous best seller, “Autobiography of a Yogi”, a book that is still an inspirational resource for many yoga instructors and students.
In the 1930s, Jiddu Krishnamurti brought the yogi to new level of awareness in the U.S. thanks to this popular, eloquent speeches on Jnana-Yoga yoga, which is the yoga of discernment. His talks earned him the admiration of a number of celebrities of the time, such as writers Aldous Huxley and George Bernard Shaw and actors Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo.
In 1924, the U.S. imposed a restriction on the number of Indians it would allow to move to the U.S., meaning students who sought the teachings of yogis had to travel to India. One of these students was Theos Bernard, who traveled to India and came back in 1947 to write the book “Hatha Yoga: The Report of a Personal Experience”, an influential book which is still widely today.
The same year that Bernard penned his examination of Hatha Yoga, Russian-born yogi Indra Devi opened one of the first Hatha Yoga studios in Hollywood and earned the title First Lady of Yoga. Devi was admired by housewives across the U.S., as well as Hollywood stars such as Gloria Swanson, Jennifer Jones and Robert Ryan. Devi died in her home in Buenos Ares in 2002.
But the man who is generally credited with introducing yoga to middle America is not even a native of India. Richard Hittleman, who studied in India for a number of years and returned to the States in 1950 to become a yoga instructor in New York, introduced a non-spiritual-based yoga to the United States and forever changed the way yoga was thought of and taught in America. It was Hittleman who placed emphasis on the physical side of yoga, letting a Western audience focus on the bodily aspects of yoga and not just the mind. Hittleman’s goal was to teach American students to gradually embrace the spiritual side of yoga, which many people have.
As Hittleman worked to expand yoga on the East, Walt and Magana Baptiste were working to increase yoga’s scope on the West Coast when they open a studio in San Francisco in the 1950s. Both of the Baptistes were students of Yogananda and Walt brought the influence of Vivekananda to the practice, creating an entirely new approach to yoga. Their yoga influence is being continued by their daughter and son, Sherri and Baron.
Elsewhere in San Francisco, Swami Vishu-devananda immigrated from India in 1958 and created “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga” with famed artist and designer Peter Max. The book has become a go-to manual for yoga instructors and students. Vishu-devananga would later go on to create the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta yoga centers, which has become one of most prominent yoga school franchises in the entire world.
When the counterculture began to take hold in the 1960s, the idea of yoga and its emotional effects caught the interest of many people, and one of the most famous groups to explore the meditative possibilities of yoga were The Beatles, whose relationship with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was famous around the world. He created the Transcendental Meditation school of yoga that today employs more than 40,000 instructors and approximately 4 million followers worldwide.
In the late ’60s, Professor Richard Albert of Harvard took a journey into India and came back with the name Ram Dass and gave talks to college students around the nation in support of his blockbuster book “Be Here Now”, which set thousands of young people on a journey of discovery through yoga. The book continues to be source of inspiration for many people in their quest for spirituality through yoga.
In the 1970s, yoga continued to grow as studios began popping up all over the nation. The Mount Madonna yoga school, founded by Baba Hari Dass, gave residential yoga to the inhabitants of Santa Cruz, California. Shrila Prabhubada began the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which led to the international spiritual study of Bhakti Yoga. Ashtanga-vinyasa Yoga was brought to the U.S. by Pattabhi Jois in the mid ’70s and made yoga popular with new groups of people. Swami Satchitananda was probably the most famous non-musician to appear at Woodstock. Swami Sivananda Radha is the female yogi credited with first investigating the link between the spirituality and psychology of yoga. And the teachings of Swamii Chidananda, who himself was a student of yoga master Swami Sivananda, were delivered to the world by one of his former students, instructor Liliias Folan through her landmark PBS television series “Lilias, Yoga and You” which aired on the network from 1970 to 1979 and made yoga available in every home in the U.S.
Yoga has continued its influence across America with classes and studios in cities all over, from the smallest town to the major metro areas. In addition, the advent of digital media, including CDs, DVDs and streaming Internet video, yoga can go anywhere, further giving it a foothold in the United States.
Shree Narayan YogPeeth is an ashram and yoga school, founded by Yogi Sanjay K Naithani. The vision is to offer students and spiritual seekers from all over the world an opportunity to understand the true nature and origin of the ancient spiritual practice of yoga.
It is our belief that the path of yoga can be walked anywhere and bring joy and contentment everywhere, when practiced with love and sincerity. We humbly welcome anyone interested in exploring the spiritual aspect of human nature by deepening the understanding of the yogic path to join our spiritual family. Shree Narayan Yopeeth also offers four weeks Yoga Teacher Training course and ten days SADHANA (Purification) course.
Sadhana is an ancient yogic purification practice and yogic path, with the purpose of cleansing the mind and body to gain deeper understanding and wisdom. It is an ego-transcending practice whereby we achieve non-attachment and freedom from wordly desires. Sadhana is an efficient tool for improving capability and increased spiritual consciousness in all parts of human life. The courses schedule is very intense, under the guidance of founder Yogi Sanjay K Naithani, and participants are expected to make a sincere commitment to the practice during the whole of the stay.
The SADHANA course will start from 1st of every month till 10th and from 15 of every month to 25th. first course is starting from April 2013.
Sanjay is the founder president of Shree Narayan Yoga Peeth. From an early age he was inspired by his grandfather who initiated him into a yogic lifestyle. Later he honed his yogic practice at Sivananda Ashram & Bihar School of Yoga and got an initiation into the Udaseen Sampraday tradition. He has also studied Iyengar yoga style and incorporates its attention to postural alignment into his classes. His systematic approach to asana practice, deep knowledge of yoga therapy and loving yet firm style of delivery makes him an invaluable asset at Shree Narayan Yog Peeth.
The discipline of yoga consists of eight limbs: Yama Universal Morality, Niyama Personal Observance, Asanas Body Postures, Pranayama Control of prana through breathing excercises, Pratyahara control of the senses, Dharana Concentration & Cultivation of inner perceptual awareness, Dhyana – Devotion & Meditation on the Divine, Samadhi Union with the Divine.
A religious rights leader in the US recently sparked off a debate with his comments on the inappropriateness of Yoga for those of the Christian faith. Arguments have since flown fast and thick on all sides over the linking of Yoga with specific religions.
As a proponent of Yoga as the ultimate challenge for the attainment of holistic wellness, I have been extremely pained to read all things related to the matter. For one, I havent been able to fathom the reasons as to why this should even be thrown on the table.
It is true that Yoga originated in India, the same country which produced great religious systems such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Indeed, India is one of the two regions of the world which has been the cradle of religious thought, the other being the Middle East which produced Christianity, Islam, Judaism et al.
However, Yoga at its best is a philosophical system which is thought to lead to self-realization. For as long as it has existed, there have been no religious incantations associated with the practice, nor does it propagate the worship of any one supreme figure. It is infact philosophical and not iconic in any way.
The Yogic systems prevalent today are a fragment of an entire pristine system, and are mostly only corporeal; they strive to keep the body healthy through various poses and breathing techniques. The only Hindu connotation I have found evidence of, is the sounding of the syllable Om while breathing, which is also equally construable as a shortening of Amen. Interestingly, Om and Amen have similar meanings and origins as well.
I personally know scores of people of various religious beliefs following Yoga, and who have found no conflict between their religion and the practice. Yoga, which is devoid of any religious connotations is even widely practiced by atheists who would have otherwise shunned it in the name of religious circumvention.
My personal experience tells me that one neednt even go deep into research, because a quick online search will point to the fact that Yoga is linked with environmentalism, healthy food habits, exercise, fitness and mostly good health, but definitely not with any strong religious associations. Even specifically searching for a link did not yield any results to indicate the gentlemans concerns that Yoga is a symptom of postmodern spiritual confusion.
I came across an interesting and relevant blog here which I understand to be a product of a mature and analytical mind.
I would be happy to understand just how practicing Yoga is a shameful act as the US Baptist has claimed. Looking forward to your thoughts, as usual.
New! Your personal mantra based on your personal horoscope. Secrete know-how. You can not find it anywhere else. We guarantee real lasting positive effects. Calmness, health, energy, success in love and business. Your future is in your hands!
Mantras are prayers for unbelievers, who need spiritual proofs. As a start to make sure you are on the right path you can try general mantra. Aum Yeum Om. Aum means wisdom, Yeum means force and Om means love. The rhythmic variant – Aum Yeum Aum Yeum Yeum Yeum Aum Yeum Yeum Om Yeum Om Om Om Yeum Om – makes repetition and concentration easier. This general mantra gives spiritual energy to your soul and awakens your spirit.
Personal mantras give calmness and energy, needed for solving your personal problems. They can be also both contemplative and rhythmical and have their meaning too. Mantra-yoga is experimental. You need not believe it, just try.
Besides your mantra you can get analysis of your personal horoscope. One concrete question, one general theme (love, marriage, children, money, job etc.), all questions or full analysis.
You have a free choice. Your horoscope can work on different levels. It depends on you how to use your planets in your real life. Your Sun may be your personal God, or your higher Self, or your creative potential. In mantra M means the Sun, other sounds mean elements, planets and zodiac signs. Mantras ending with M lead to spiritual resurrection and growth.
Spiritual astrology interprets personal horoscopes as spiritual programs. Spiritual astrologer helps to change your bad fate by meditation and prayer. God chooses the right level of your horoscope and your problem is solved. There are transcendental aspects of planets (derived from 7, 11, 13, 17 and 19), not used by traditional non-spiritual astrologers, who do not appeal to God. Transcendental meditation with mantras switches this hidden resources and improves the chances given by your horoscope, that is your fate.
Success in business. Lord, You are our success! Repeat this prayer before any business and God will help you to succeed. Business astrology can choose the right time for meetings, talks and contracts. It is possible to compare your horoscope with horoscopes of partners to test compatibility and horoscopes of firms, companies, enterprises and state organizations to find out their attitude towards your business and your possible success. Saturn is state, laws, rules, restrictions, logic, facts, reality and results. Jupiter is responsible for business in general, for business as private initiative. Its aspects both natal and transitive show all perspectives of your business idea and problems that are waiting for you in the near and distant future. Mars is competition and taxes, Venus is money, Mercury is commerce, Sun is gold, creative energy, inspiration and impulse for work. Aspects of all these planets in the beginning of any process can determine its end. Success in business depends on this combination of planets and on its interpretation by God. Meditation and prayer change negative combinations into complex harmonious, resolving all contradictions as in music in a finale chord.
Astral wars. Wars are unavoidable. People fight for love, for money, for success. Astral wars go on invisibly between all rival companies, or nations, or civilizations. Psychic energy works through unconscious and conscious contacts at long distance. For extrasensory perception destructive energy is black, constructive energy is white. Transcendental energy looks violet, it brings tranquility, serenity and contemplation. Black rays mean threat and danger, white rays mean perspectives of cooperation.
Light analysis can warn you of hostile, unfriendly plans of all your enemies. And help you to avoid their traps, to get ready for the battles that wait you in the future. Imagine the sun emitting white rays to your head (reason), breast (feelings) and belly (will). It will restore your health and strength and give you power to win the war. Black rays should be returned to their source and should destroy your rival. Astral wars develop extrasensory perception, fighting reflexes and your will. Don’t be afraid of them, just win.
Personal defense. Lord, You are our defense! Repeat this prayer if you are threatened by criminals, rivals or enemies. Reinforce your mantra by a direct and conscious appeal to the Source of all life. If you do not believe in God or do not trust Him, meditate on the Sun. Sun, You are my force! Sun, You are my life! Sun, You are me health! Etc.
God will help you because any sun meditation is addressed to the same Source of energy and success as all prayers. You needn’t believe Him, experiment and see what you get. If the danger is neutralized and you need something else, change the last word of the prayer to express your new wish. Lord, You are our wisdom! Lord, You are our reason! Lord, you are our love! No prayer is useless, God remembers everything and answers in appropriate time. Your personal defense and success depend on your own efforts. God. You are our faith!
Aquarius. The age of Aquarius opens space and new spiritual astrology for 2 thousands years. In the southern hemisphere it is accompanied by the age of Lion, ruled by Sun. Its element is fire and its quality is inspiration, creativity and direct revelation of God. Australia is the future spiritual center of our civilization and the start of the sixth race. Its development will be in the USA and Siberia, and it will last for 13 thousands years. The planet of the sixth race is Venus, the ruler of the sixth day of the week. It gives beauty and success in love and art. The sixth race is opened by new cinema. Hollywood is only a beginning. The future films will show the reality of space as fantasy. And the Earth will enter the community of Galaxy civilizations by its art and religion of Light.
The Earth longitude is divided into 12 Zodiac sectors by 30 degrees each. Europe is Pisces (0-30), Europe Russia, Iran, Iraq and Israel are Ares (30-60), India and Siberia are Taurus (60-90), Western China and Far East are Gemini (90-120), Eastern China and Japan are Cancer (120-150), Australia and New Zeeland are Lion (150-180), Alaska is Virgin (180-210), Western Canada and The Pacific coast of the USA are Libra (210-240), The rest of Canada and USA is Scorpio (240-270) and Sagittarius (270-300), Latin America is Sagittarius (270-300) and Capricorn (300-330), England and Spain are Aquarius (330-360).
These sectors are activated by the change of eras (2155 years each). Pisces, Christianity is Europe, Ares, Judaism is Near East, Taurus, Hinduism is India etc. Now Lion is in Australia and New Zeeland, Aquarius is in Great Britain and Spain. This explains the spread of Anglo-Saxons and Spanish language in Northern and Southern America. Planets, ruling these signs are activated as in the days of the week. Sun (Lion) is the 1ST, Austroloid race, Moon (Cancer) is the 2nd, Negroid, black race, Mars (Scorpio) is the 3rd, Mongoloid red race, Mercury (Gemini) is the 4th, Mongoloid yellow race, Jupiter (Pisces) is the 5th, Europeoid, white race, Venus (Libra) is the 6th, starting race, Saturn (Capricorn) is the 7th, distant future race.
So the 6th race will reach its peak in the era of Libra on the territory of the USA. (The start is the fire sign, Lion, Australia).The 7th race will reach its peak in the era of Capricorn on the territory of Latin America. The future influences the present and these territories develop according to the qualities of the ruling planets. Hollywood is Venus (beauty and love), the ruler of the 6th race. The sector of Scorpio gives Hollywood films and actors the risk and mystery that makes them attractive all over the world. The sector of Sagittarius gives Americans luck and success.