Hare Krishna,
Why is that Yoga ( mean yoga as exercise) is mis understood in iskcon community. Whenever that question arises, it is being told that it is not ultimate way to realise God. we've No argument on that.
But what about yogic exercise as health point of view?
why is that doing 15-20 minutes stretching yoga or breathing exercises like pranayama
to maintain health are not encouraged.
Replies
And it is this lack of the potential for the development of that "personal relationship with The Head God is why the Bhaktis are Not very much attracted to the classic yoga practices. As I would suppose! That Prabhu is' a fine question, tho and in my personal view integrating more yoga into the mantra session, whenever posable would be the most appropriate/effective and beneficial thing,
however, I am under the opinion that life and yoga should be practiced as (pain-free as possible. And when the qualities of the yoga experience can be had without all the support *(Rits) attentiveness or physical and mental intensities Why bother.?
(It's more than simple exorcise) & holding-out that it is simply a health inhanser is undersealing it's potential for both good & ill effects on one's euquhnimnaty & samness/consistency of energetic-integraty/identaty. Which is the perpus of bhakti to develup a consistently of identaty that you can be known ''as we are" I use posturing\Yoga in prepporation for & during chanting. But I try and avoid being as aggressive in my emotional & physical intensities with yoga while chanting just trying to remain comfortable! Yoga has a lot of potentuel to make one an ectreemist! But Vishnava's don't propagate other yogas than BhaktiYoga because Liboration Clarification of the mind & control of the sinses all all aworded gratuitously/freely. Within minutes & the results are a bounding with the object of attentions. Where as yoga on the impersonal energies "BRAMAJOITI"? IS estatic but impersonal. No Love no memory of you the yogi, more or less exercise is all that, that is. And din't think that Yoga is not a dangerus thing because it is CAUTION* Thare are many many impersonal SuperStars out there more than happy to userp your energies as their own & cause unwanted attachments & bonds thar we do not desier to belasting, i.e. the risk of"Overexposure is real & great with conventional yoga & it's karmic bhakti is not! I find!
Krishna will meet us where we are
He will honor our efforts & He Will dignafy our questions with answers. Yoga gone wrong or taken the wrong way can be very disterbing to those around us & bhakti on the other hand is pleasing to everyOne because it attracts the awairness of the Godhead's & everyone ealse. Yoga can be, when misunderstood yoga can be a catastrophe of. Physical discombobulation & emotional abandonment. But Yoga an't no joke not a game. Not really a real exorcise because it's more of a spiritual expedition with impersonal karmic ovituers & offten extreme reactions/results.
Yet utalized intelligently & modestly yoga is an overall positive acting tool for *intently &/seriously-physillatating transformations. That's what yoga is a tool for making big big Divine statement, not exactly a child's toy or a recreational pastimes! ?
Prayanayama is recommended by many Vaisnavas as a way to prepare the mind before chanting. Srila Prabhupada also did hatha yoga as part of his personal health program, and he did write the book "easy journey to other planets" :-)
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
I agree, one has to be physically fit, to be able to do all the devotional services one wants to. For physical fitness, yoga and walking are very good, low cost options.
A lot of devotees walk in the morning and evening and continue chanting. Whereas to do yoga, one is not able to chant at that time. Devotees want to chant their committed rounds in mangal muhurta, before sunrise, or as early in the morning as possible. Then there are daily duties of cooking (for ladies), arati, going to work, balancing work, sadhana, family life and preaching. In all this, physical fitness takes a huge beating. That is the reason one ends up giving yoga a pass and doing every thing else.
I am saying from my experience - while I completely appreciate and want to do 30 min yoga everyday, I am unable to find the time for it. Therefore, I walk whenever I can (maybe once or twice a week) for 15-20 minutes.
Increasingly, there is an awareness that devotees are not at all physcially fit and individual attempts are being made towards inculcating a fitness regimen in the daily routine.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
thanks mataji. this clarifies. what I understand from your message - 30 mins stretching + breathing
exercise is not an issue with respect to physical health as well as spiritual progress.
But I want to tell you - generally what I hear in Iskcon lectures is that these exercises are not recommended, as it will lead to attraction towards body.
Any how, your reply clarifies. thanks. hari bol.
Incorrect understanding prabhuji. I never heard such a thing - that exercises are not recommended, as it will lead to attraction to the body. On the contrary, I know Maharajs going to gym regularly to keep fit.
thanks mathaji for your clarification.
that is not true prabhuji... from own experience and also prabhupad says in BG purport (https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/6/3) that yoga & pranayam help control senses and mind (& chant better). However it's said that in advanced stage one may not feel the need for these practices