World Religions Project: Westernization Of Yoga

+The Westernization of Yoga

By: Emerald ‘Chef’ KjerstadDane ‘Douche’ Schmid

+Brief History:

Spiritual liberation cannot be gained exclusively through knowledge.

Some past history of ascetic technique.

+Purpose of Yoga:

Normal states of consciousness are products of ignorance (avidva)

Empirical consciousness must be extinguished

Replace with extra-sensory/extra-rational experience

+“Modifications of the mind”

Vasanas – latent tendencies

Requires double focus

+Yoga Today

+Word Association-Yoga

Focus on non-religious practice and aesthetics.

Youth did not even realize Yoga is associated with Hindu practices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaU5wydH5cA

If video does not work go to link

+Popularization

American Yoga Association

Hindu American Foundation

+Comparisons

“There is no physical yoga and spiritual yoga.  If it is exclusively physical, it won’t be yoga.  Yoga is dealing with the entirety; it is a union.” – Prashant Iyengar, son of B.K.S Iyengar

+Final Analysis

Asana (poses) makes up 25% of Yoga

“Growing consumer concern over health has heralded the rise of self-tanning product makers and yoga and Pilates studios.” –LA Times

+Conclusion

“Yoga” is not yoga at all

Profit based/too far westernized