Yoga is fast becoming topical and a subject heatedly debated around for all the wrong reasons. Shallow people view the indulgence in yoga as the blind following of what's being seen as the Hindu religion's contribution to society - the 'sooryanamaskaram', an important 'asana', is the one that seems to irk the non-Hindus. But is it justified?
The ignorance about 'sooryanamaskaram' is perplexing. The basis of this 'asana' is all about the effects of sunlight on the human body. Scientifically, it's been proven beyond doubt that the morning sun and the evening sun emit a fair amount of infra red rays, which in the correct doses, are essential for the overall well being of the body. It's for the same reason that a person undergoing ayurvedic treatment for an ailment is massaged with herbal oils and exposed to the sun as part of the therapy.
It's also an accepted fact that the energy in the human body is at high levels in the morning and tapers towards the evening hours. The story of the legendary 'Karna' of the Mahabharatha is also a case in point though the sceptics might say that he possessed the qualities because he's his son and it's after all a myth.
I'm tickled by the latest demand for 'modifications' to make yoga acceptable to all, which are:-
(a) Sooryanamaskaram should not be made mandatory and
(b) The rendering of the related 'slokas' should also not be made compulsory!
I can only liken it to an insistence of abolishing the shooting of goals into the opponent's goalpost in a game of football........er, to make the game more egalitarian!
Tailpiece.
One can't help but view the paradox. The world over, many people irrespective of nationality, have embraced yoga as an essential tool to leading a healthy life. And in India, the cradle of yoga, we fight over trivia. Even God must have put his hands up - in utter despair - this time!
The ignorance about 'sooryanamaskaram' is perplexing. The basis of this 'asana' is all about the effects of sunlight on the human body. Scientifically, it's been proven beyond doubt that the morning sun and the evening sun emit a fair amount of infra red rays, which in the correct doses, are essential for the overall well being of the body. It's for the same reason that a person undergoing ayurvedic treatment for an ailment is massaged with herbal oils and exposed to the sun as part of the therapy.
It's also an accepted fact that the energy in the human body is at high levels in the morning and tapers towards the evening hours. The story of the legendary 'Karna' of the Mahabharatha is also a case in point though the sceptics might say that he possessed the qualities because he's his son and it's after all a myth.
I'm tickled by the latest demand for 'modifications' to make yoga acceptable to all, which are:-
(a) Sooryanamaskaram should not be made mandatory and
(b) The rendering of the related 'slokas' should also not be made compulsory!
I can only liken it to an insistence of abolishing the shooting of goals into the opponent's goalpost in a game of football........er, to make the game more egalitarian!
Tailpiece.
One can't help but view the paradox. The world over, many people irrespective of nationality, have embraced yoga as an essential tool to leading a healthy life. And in India, the cradle of yoga, we fight over trivia. Even God must have put his hands up - in utter despair - this time!
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