Final Journal Entry: My Yoga Experience

             My experience throughout this semester of yoga teachings has altered my perspective on how yoga is viewed in different parts of the world. I am been exposed to a plethora of yoga definitions, practices, beliefs, and goals. Comparing and contrasting these concepts has led me to formulating my definition of yoga based on how I practice and what my goals are in regards to my yoga practice. Yoga is a multipurpose tool that can be used in a myriad of ways dependent upon the goals of the individual yogi and how they view their practice.
             My goals in yoga practice are primarily physical, with a focus on increasing my muscle stability and flexibility. Along with the physical benefits that I seek, I also use yoga to relax and  clear my mind as well as to practice breath control, a concept important not only in yoga but in my martial arts training as well. I use yoga as a supplement to my training because I see the physical benefits that it offers and the improvements that it has garnered me in my martial arts training. Since I began practicing yoga on a more consistent basis I have seen improvements in my hip flexibility as well as my core stabilizers.
             I also incorporate yoga into my daily life now that I have seen the therapeutic benefits of yoga for the lower back and hips, two areas that I have struggled with injuries with in the past. I also practice yoga in order to provide relief for my hips and lower back, which are used continuously in both striking arts such as boxing and muay thai and in grappling arts such as wrestling and jiu jitsu. Throughout a more consistent yoga practice, I have been able to ease the pain affecting my lower back and I have been able to take the pressure off of my hip abductors that have been compensating for the lower back pain.
            Throughout my time in this course I was happy to be exposed to the many different forms and beliefs surrounding yoga that have created western yoga that I have been exposed to today. I see now how different Western yoga is in comparison to Eastern yoga, a much more traditional form of yoga practice. I now identify myself as a Western yogi as my practice is primarily physical, which is a primary goal of many other yogis practicing in the West. The goals of yoga in the East are much more mental and spiritual. Yoga in the East is regarded more as a way of life than just an hour out of their day to practice. Yoga in the East is often a constant, never ending practice, with the end goal of achieving enlightenment and releasing their souls from the cycle of life and death.
            I think that yoga can and should be a part of everyone life at some point because I feel that the benefits behind yoga can relate to the problems of every person in some way, shape, or form. Yoga is defined by the individual person, not by others, and your goals and methods of practice should be defined by yourself and not change due to outside influence. It is up to the individual yogi to define their yoga practice and use it in the way that best fits their current status in life so that they may achieve the optimal benefits for their current situation. For some people, the benefits of yoga may be minuscule or ultimately nonexistent, but I posit that the vast majority of humans will be able to experience many benefits of yoga practice as long as they keep an open mind and maintain consistency within their practice.

Yoga as a Religion

              Yoga is not a religion. That being said, yoga can act as a supplement or a compliment to religious practice and traditions without interfering or disputing ones beliefs or faith. Furthermore, similarities and skills developed throughout years of practice as a yogi can assist your religious disciplines when it comes to the extremes of religious practices that require a great amount of discipline and focus.
              Throughout history, yoga and famous yogis have marginally attempted to keep themselves removed from religious quarrels and disputes in an attempt to harmonize the relationship between yoga and the rest of the known world. Yogic teaching never attempt to dispute or criticize other religious practices, therefore it can be practiced by Muslims, Christians, Catholics, Hindus, and any other religious practices.
              Yoga should never separate itself from religion entirely as it can survive and thrive being recognized as a compliment to religious traditional practices while maintaining a neutral stance between all religions. I see yoga more as a lifestyle and as a form of discipline that is useful for enhancing quality of life and possibly performance in other arts and religious practices.