THE WAY OF THE YOGI

In recent years yoga has gained a great popularity in the world for many reasons. When I was younger and first learned about yoga and its existence, you could not find anything much on it except in books, magazines, and occasionally a movie or two. I learned about yoga around the age of 8,9,or 10 years and I shall relate some of that in later blogs or comments. Nowadays, yoiu can find a 'yoga studio' or session in even the smallest US towns and villages, along with other Eastern practices,such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong or Acupuncture,etc. as well as other similar things of a mystical/occult nature. Magazines and DVD's or videos as well as books and seminars, and yoga camps have all contributed to the spread and growth of yoga. All this may seem rather obvious to sophisticated and uptodate people, who follow all the trends, but at one time, the search for yoga was difficult and as mentioned previously in this section, The Way of The Yogi is not for everyone if it is truly followed. Most people are concentrated on the so-called basics of HATHA YOGA and are content to twist themselves up into pretzels and complicated, intricate poses and postures, of which they seldom, but occasionally, have any idea as to why these are done,save for supposed physical benefits,etc. I find a complete ignorance of the traditional Yoga Classics, and literature often existing,except if one has come under the sway or influence of specific groups and teachers or masters and swamis,etc. who tend to keep tabs on their devotees and followers for reasons of their own,usually. Of the three traditional ways: THE WAY OF THE YOGI tends in its higher forms to be MENTAL or even intellectual,involving the mind, the brain and the nervous system as well as logic and positive thinking, but not the kind most think of or about. Where systems of Yoga are heavily coated with the religious notions and speculations and rituals and rites of TRADITIONAL HINDUISM, one will encounter a number of obstacles and contradictions and problems on this path,especially without a true, real, initiated teacher or teachers. Entering ashrams and other yoga areas can prove interesting, disappointing,exciting, and laborious. To really understand yoga, and,indeed, any religion or martial arts or such similar area, I always say for others to visit the lands where these things originated if possible and not rely on just readings, second-hand observations and comments and teachers who have not trod the hot,dusty trails or the high perilous mountains,etc. in search of these things.