Not many people realize that yoga has many similar movements as ballet. Many people will begin practicing yoga for the flexibility advantages that it offers. Even though there are things that yoga has in common with other exercises, there are numerous other benefits to studying it. Its popularity has increased over the years in western society and is now considered the fashionable way to get into shape. It might seem like a new form of exercise, but it has actually been around for centuries originating from Eastern cultures with spiritual roots.
To the western world, yoga has become just another way to exercise and the spiritual aspects of it have been lost. Even though the techniques and movements are the same, its meaning has changed. Originally, yoga was viewed as a small part of the whole like a branch on a tree, but in western society it is viewed more as the entire tree itself losing many of the deeper rooted aspects.
The origin of yoga can't be traced exactly, but there is evidence of it beginning roughly around the same time when the seals of the Indus Valley civilization were discovered. Figures are depicted in the lotus position at around 300 BCE. The vedas were being written at about this same time which are the source of modern day yoga exercises. The culture of the Vedas created the ancient Indian obsession with yoga rituals and sacrifice. The importance of sacrifice is demonstrated in the yogic corpse asana.
The greatest sacrifice practiced in yoga signifies death by lying in place. This might seem a bit morbid, but it actually has a lot of meaning behind it. According to the teachings of the Veda, the pose as a corpse means that the understanding of death with lead to freedom.
The meaning of the word yoga can be translated as "union", the joining of the spiritual and physical worlds. Versus 4:4, 13-14 of the Vedanta Sutras state that material possessions are not attractive to a free soul. The idea of this is to be able to liberate ourselves from material objects that only have meaning in this life.
Even in modern yoga this practice is evident. It is possible to change your awareness through the practice of stillness and the asanas, thus changing our outlook on life. It is possible to begin to feel a part of the whole universe and learn how giving to others is actually helping ourselves since we are actually one, a small part of the whole.
The study of yoga is actually a small part of the whole process, which was commonly known in ancient times. Thousands of years ago the focus on breathing and postures helped improve mind, body and spirit. However, today the concentration is more on the postures and not as much on the breathing. The benefits of the breathing techniques and positions offer great medical as well as physical advantages, such as decreased stress, more energy, flexibility, and strengthened muscles.
There's a lot of controversy about the true meaning of Easter. Some claim that it's actually a pagan celebration in origin. Others lament that retailers, greeting card companies and television are changing Christianity's greatest feast into something with meaning "the size of a jelly bean."
In any case, the most common view about the real meaning of Easter is that it's a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that through this act, sin and death are conquered. Easter also can be seen as a season of joy. The time of sorrow is over. Lent's penitential forty days have passed, and the fifty days of the Easter season have begun. Winter is over and spring is in the air. In times past, it's said that priests would regale their parishioners with funny stories. Easter was truly a time to rejoice. To rejoice that Our Lord has Risen and that one day we too shall pass through death (which has lost its sting) and rise to New Life!
While I am certainly not erudite enough to give you the definitive answer on what Easter means. I believe that it offers many valuable insights about life, no matter what your religious beliefs. In fact, the Easter story is so powerful that it probably offers something even to an open-minded atheist!
One of the biggest lessons from the Easter story, I believe, is the power of forgiveness. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about what forgiveness actually is. In my opinion, it doesn't mean condoning the wrong that has been committed or allowing it to happen again. Moreover, the act of forgiving is not necessarily something you do for the transgressor (although it can be), although its power can transform the transgressor, too. It is something you may do for yourself.
When you can forgive, you can finally be free of the burden of guilt, anger, hatred or resentment. The healing process can begin or finally conclude. You can also let go of the person who hurt you. This makes you stronger and removes the power that person has over you. It's somehow ironic that by not forgiving we allow the person who has harmed us to continue to harm us, even if they themselves are unaware of the long-term damage that is being inflicted. Of course, ultimately, we are responsible. By taking responsibility now for our own interpretation of what happened in the past, we become much stronger - I think that's what people mean when they talk about "self-empowerment".
Teaching children the power of forgiveness is both difficult and easy. It's difficult because forgiveness is an advanced skill that can take a lifetime to master, and because there's so much confusion about what it actually means to forgive. It's easy because children often have fewer pre-conceived notions and see life more clearly than adults do. I'm always struck by how children seem more pragmatic and matter-of-fact than adults.
So, how can you teach something as sophisticated as forgiveness? I like to use children's stories to explore difficult themes like forgiveness. It's easier to understand forgiveness through the lens of other people or even other creatures. Once you understand what the characters in the child story are going through, you can relate it back to your own life or situation.
You can use the choices made by different characters or their attitudes as a jumping off point for a general discussion of forgiveness. If you really want to be systematic about it, you can use an appropriate children's story in conjunction with scripture and a list of prepared questions (a kind of teaching or discussion guide).
I'm not sure whether forgiveness is the main lesson of the Easter story or even a primary message from it. But I am sure that it is a valuable one. And I'm also certain that if we can teach our children how to forgive, that they will be more productive - and happier - human beings.
Both Antonio Enriquez & Paul Arinaga are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Antonio Enriquez has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice. There are numerous different styles and applications of this modern day exercise. Learn more about the and how it can help you in your life. Find out how. Antonio Enriquez's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Paul Arinaga has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Parenting and Makeup. Paul Arinaga is founder of the Child Stories Bank.The Child Stories Bank provides FREE original children's stories as well as reso. Paul Arinaga's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.