Yoga
DEAR JEANETTE: What is Yoga and can you recommend some books about it? D.S., Stutsman, N.D.
DEAR D.S.: First let me tell you of two books which my family has found helpful and then I will quote from one of them in an attempt to give a rather brief answer to what is actually a very complex question.
INTEGRAL YOGA HATHA by Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidananda, (1970, Holt, Rinehart and Winston) has been set up, according to its author “as a sort of Hatha Yoga directory---including precise and simplified technical details plus pictures with each pose.” It is a rather good textbook for learning the postures of Hatha Yoga which deals with the physical.
Jess Stearn’s YOGA, YOUTH, AND REINCARNATION also has the illustrated instructions for the exercises, starting with even simpler warm-ups for those just beginning the program. In addition, Mr. Stearn has created a very good tale of how and what he learned about Yoga.
He also tells of the many other things which he learned, i.e., reincarnation, spirits, cloud busting, astrology, etc. It is interesting whether or not you ever try a Yoga exercise. This book has been printed in hardback by Doubleday and in paperback by Bantam, copyright 1965.
Some people regard Yoga as simply exercises or odd physical postures but some forms of it include many elements of a religion. To quote from Stearn’s book: “’Yoga,’ Mrs. DeVries (Madam Blanche DeVries) was saying in her melodious voice, ‘is the only religion that doesn’t reject. In this way it is somewhat Christlike, without being Christian, since Christ didn’t reject anyone, not even those who took him to the Cross.’
“Yoga a religion? ‘It’s a way of life,’ she observed ‘and what else, properly, is religion? Yoga is a union of body and mind with the supreme spirit. It is clear, simple and direct, and there are no mysteries to it, except those planted merely to create mystery.’”
A quote from Marcia Moore, Jess Stearn’s teacher, will clarify this use of ‘religion’: “’Yoga is not a religion,” she said. ‘Anyone can retain his own faith and still benefit from Yoga. I am a Unitarian, some of my students are Jewish, others are Catholic and Protestant and some....have been Hindu, born to that faith....Actually, you know, a person has to be racially a Hindu to be of the Hindu faith. Actually, Linda (speaking of one of her students who referred to herself as a Hindu) is a Vedantist, subscribing to the Vedas, the teachings on which much of Hinduism is based.’” (1982)