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Yoga banned….
By Christina | November 24, 2008
Okay, it isn’t banned everywhere but there has been a edict passed down in Malaysia stating that Muslims cannot practice yoga because the ultimate goal of a yogic practice is enlightenment or oneness with God. To these people, they fear the practice may lead to corruption because the God of Hinduism is perhaps not the God of the Muslim faith. Believing in one God, I have a hard time with this philosophy but I am sure there are many aspects or philosophies I would disagree with.
In addition to banning yoga, Malaysian’s have banned “tomboys.” I think perhaps I will not be adding Malaysia to my top 10 list of places I would like to visit since I am a self-professed tomboy AND I practice yoga.
Unfortunately, the attack on yoga is not limited to Malaysia, in the United States there have been protests against the practice in public schools as well. It is sad that people have such narrow minds and the need to control every thought another person has. Yoga is not mind control, it is a path to stillness, it is a tool to find inner peace and calmness amidst the chaos of life.
As a yoga practitioner I can tell you that beyond the flexibility and endurance that you receive from the practice, there is also a focus on controlling the breathing and thus the heart rate as well as listening to your inner self. I have never felt any conflict as far as my spiritual or religious beliefs when it comes to yoga nor have I felt preached to during any classes I have attended.
The goal of yoga, for me, is liberation from all that traps the human soul - release from anger, fear, and hurt. Release from the need to control others (still working on this one), release from self doubt and trust in the self and in life.
