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Why Yoga? Before embarking on the issue of yoga in this country, it would help to first of all establish an understanding of what it really is. The word yoga means “to join or yoke together” (from the Sanskrit verb yuj,) and it brings the body and mind together in one harmonious experience. In the practice of yoga the ultimate aim is one of self-development and self-realization. Yoga is a complete science of life that re-emerged in India more than five thousand years ago. It is the oldest system of holistic personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and emotion. It is the union between a person’s own consciousness which is in a dissipated state due to stress. The ancient yogis had a profound understanding of man’s essential nature and of what he needs to live in harmony with himself and his environment. The physical body was perceived as a vehicle, with the mind as driver, the consciousness as man’s true identity, and action, emotion and intelligence as the three forces which pull the body-vehicle. In order for these to be integrated, these three forces must be in balance. Therefore, to realize the interrelationship between body and mind, yoga as practiced provides a balance by combining all the movements needed for physical health with the breathing and meditation techniques that ensure peace of mind. Different Paths, One Goal Although there are six main branches of yoga, namely, Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga, Raja yoga, Jnana yoga, karma yoga and Tantra yoga, Malaysian Yoga Society (MYS) follows a strict Karma Yoga path that emphasizes action and selfless service to uplift the lives of others, especially the socially disadvantaged and underprivileged. Even though asanas (yogic postures) are offered in classes as the basis to increase our physical and mental well beings, but these are only preliminary preparations for deeper spiritual practices. The principle of karma yoga is that what we experience today is created by our actions in the past. Being aware of this, all of our present efforts become a way to consciously create a future of sharing, caring and selflessness. Karma Yoga Impart knowledge of yoga This is the best form of charity. Because it removes ignorance and all sorts of sufferings. Provide medicine for the sick This is the second best form of charity Give food to the hungry This is the third best form of charity Paramahamsa Satyananda A Higher Aim: Self Transformation To understand what yoga is all about, one needs to experience it for oneself. At first glance it may seem to be just a series of strange physical postures to keep the body lean and flexible. However, in time with regular practice one becomes more aware of the subtle changes taking place primarily in the approach to life. Through the practice of toning and relaxing the body and relaxing the mind, one begins to discover one’s true nature and attains a state of inner peace. Yoga helps in realizing oneself, and the ability to do a lot of things, consciously and unconsciously in the pursuit of freeing oneself from illusions and preconceptions that prevent one from fulfilling oneself. Another important aspect of yoga is that it is not a religion as often perceived but a practical aid. It is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind and spirit. Given that the ultimate aim of yoga is one of holistic self-development and self-realization, the practice makes the body strong and flexible, improves the functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and hormonal systems bringing about emotional stability and clarity of mind. Yoga In Nation Building Current Call of National Concern Recently, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi talked about the need for “towering Malaysians” with “towering personalities” and deemed good values as imperative for multi-racial Malaysia¹. In all, the call addressed the social problems crippling society everyday; collective target to address; individuals to be moulded by integrity and an ever increasing knowledge of the task at hand, and the foresight required to chart and determine the future. Present Scenario Given the current national concern as the backdrop, the issue here is the current status of yoga in this country. We have witnessed a plethora of programmes over the years claiming to harness the mind for critical thinking, opening the third eye, improving the IQ, and so on, sounding more like “quick fixes” for something that should occur over a period of time with commitment for the results to be effective and sustaining throughout one’s lifetime. It seems like families, schools, and society are more interested in results without much concern for the holistic nurturing of individuals. It is our moral duty to help develop individuals to be prepared not only for the job market but for life with an understanding of positive self-development and wellness. This is evidenced in the school built on love². A primary school in Kuala Lumpur, run by a non-profit body is offering children from disadvantaged homes a value-based education. The stress is not only on the children getting A’s but to encourage the children to work at their own pace and achieve optimum potential which is considered more important. Yoga has a major presence in this country but not on any structured or systematic basis. There are yoga practitioners of sorts packaging the practice for exorbitant fees and various purposes. It is with a desire to promote yoga as a complete science of life, a system of personal development that the Malaysian Yoga Society envisages. To this end it is the Society’s mission to deliver the practice of yoga to all sectors of society to achieve full benefits. ¹ New Straits Times, 7 February, 2005 ² New Straits Times, 17 August, 2004 |