| It is true that there are some Hatha classes, which | | | | the many benefits, which are not physical. |
| resemble "exercise classes." There has been some | | | | If we practice Yoga for decades, we are at peace |
| mixing of Pilates and Yoga, within the past two | | | | with ourselves and our surroundings. The many |
| decades. In the West, some styles of Hatha Yoga, | | | | benefits of Yoga are not visible to the human eye. If |
| teach very little about Pranayama, Mantra, Japa, | | | | a person has stress under control, good health, peace |
| Mudras, Bandhas, Meditation, Shatkarmas, Doshas, | | | | of mind, self-confidence, or a stronger relationship |
| the Subtle Body, the History of Yoga, or Yogic | | | | with God, we cannot detect it at a glance, and that |
| Philosophy. | | | | is the deception, which most people make. |
| As a result, some Yoga classes have become more | | | | Yoga has so many benefits, which a superficial |
| like calisthenics classes. So, why has Yoga changed | | | | person would miss. If you want instant results, you |
| so much, when it left India? Why is the practice of | | | | will not have the patience to practice for years. The |
| Bhakti so popular in India, and is scarcely known in | | | | impatient person, who is quick to judge everything, |
| the West? | | | | and wants to instantly lose weight, should find a |
| Quite simply, Yoga has transcended cultures, and it is | | | | liposuction surgeon. The mental, emotional, and |
| going through another evolutionary phase. Many | | | | spiritual aspects of Yoga will be missed, but this |
| people "try" Yoga, but the serious practitioner | | | | person would not appreciate them anyway. |
| continues to practice for decades. A Yogi, or Yogini, | | | | Getting back to the spiritual aspect - It is part of the |
| has decided to continue his or her practice for life, | | | | Yogic package; if you continue to practice Yoga - |
| because of the benefits. | | | | spiritual health will reveal itself to you in the form of |
| When we are young, we experience the physical | | | | the religion you are most comfortable with. For those |
| aspects of life to their fullest potential. We challenge | | | | who say spiritual health is a bad thing, I am sorry |
| our bodies to their limits. No matter what age we | | | | they have tunnel vision. It is a shame, when people |
| are, being physically aware of our bodies, comes first. | | | | cannot live in harmony with other people and the |
| This same awareness happens in a class. | | | | world around them. |
| For most of us, the mental, emotional, and spiritual, | | | | Intolerance has caused many wars, holocausts, and |
| planes of existence are developed as we age. The | | | | witch hunts. The intolerant person needs Yoga more |
| same is true within Yoga practice. As we continue to | | | | than any of us. |
| practice, and the years go by, we begin to realize | | | | |