Yoga and the Sexual Aspect of Life by Natalie Nowicki

INTRODUCTION

In the West the interest on Eastern way of healing is continually growing. We search for ways to relieve stress, cope with problems and improve our health not only through Western technologies, medicine and psychology but now through holistic ways such as yoga. Not only is the percent of the Euro-American society practicing yoga growing but of course more and more researchers are curious to see if yoga really is beneficial, and how. Yoga is known to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual (Ross & Thomas, 2010, p. 3). It is apparent how all the parts of this discipline can help and improve one's sexual functioning. The Western culture's understanding of yoga and its connection to sex has changed throughout the years because of and thanks to many yogis, such as Oman, “who confused yoga postures with the sexual positions of the Kāma sūtra” (Singleton, 2010, p. 70). Through media and books people are able to learn more about these Ancient practices that when used well can bring many benefits to improving one’s own sexual improvement and the partner’s. It is not surprising that the society is finding ways to improve sexual fulfillment and pleasure through Eastern approaches such as tantra, Tao, mindfulness, acupuncture, yoga that have all been implicated in doing this (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 378). This paper will focus on how yoga can improve one's sexual health, how sexual differences are present in Western and Eastern texts, the history of yoga and its connection to sexual importance in the lives of Westerners.

YOGA IN THE WEST

The beginning of yoga in the West is said to have been in the 1800s when “Yoga made its way from the rigorous shores of East India to the rigors of American higher education.” (Douglass, 2007, p. 1) The interest and acceptance of yoga has been developing through the people that practice it and those that study it. “Yoga was developed on the Indian sub-continent as a system for increasing physical and mental clarity so as to transcend our limited concepts of self.” (Douglass, 2007, p. 1) The importance and understanding of yoga has been changing ever since it appeared in the Western society but its first major connection to sex was noted in the 1960s. People's interest in drugs, sex and rock-n-roll was part of their search of Eastern ways and thus created “an intense period of academic mayhem in which yoga moved from a traditional association with monasticism to an unlikely association with orgies”(Douglass, 2007, p. 5). As mentioned earlier, also Singleton (2010) writes of the confusion between the kāma sūtra and yoga (p. 70). This is probably because of the importance of energy, postures, breathing in these two Indian disciplines. “By the 1970s the association of yoga with sexuality influenced both academics and popular culture” (Douglass, 2007, p. 6). This has been a growing topic for clearly a long time but still there is not enough empirical studies, and it would be useful for many people if more research on sexual improvement in both men and women was done.

WHAT IS YOGA?

“Yoga is an ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual” (Ross, p. 3) and thus is naturally connect to sexuality. Yoga has brought many changes in the way some people in the West live because of how useful it is in improving all aspects of one's life.“All current forms of yoga are based on the Yoga Sutras that were compiled by Patanjali more than 2,000 years ago.” (Kaufman, Silverberg & Odette, 2003, p. 224) Yoga is great for everybody because of how adaptable it is; it does not assume that only one posture works for everyone and most importantly it focuses on breathing. Its speed, intensity and level are also very flexible and anyone can make it work, especially if one already knows what feels best. For those that prefer to sit in a relaxed position can practice on breathing practices. “The state of calm that is induced by a yoga breathing practice that focuses in exhalation can lead to a decrease in anxiety about sexual performance and an openness to the experience” (Kaufman, Silverberg & Odette, 2003, p. 225). This openness is mostly important to those who find sexual performance stressful because of the high demands that our society has created. The way television, internet and magazines, such as Cosmopolitan for women or Men's Health for men, are advertising sex and talking about being more exotic has led to anxiety and stress, which can be solved through spiritual practices, such as yoga. “Yoga helps us merge consciousness and movement in practices that incorporate postures, breathing, thinking, and feeling, which can have a powerful impact on our sexual expression” (Kaufman, Silverberg & Odette, 2003, p. 226).

KUNDALINI YOGA

There are many different branches of yoga that have many similarities but when it comes to sexual activity their beliefs differ. Kundalini yoga is one of the only branches that enhance sexual acts. “While most of the religious practices prefer ascetism and sexual abstinence as a way to uplift soul, Kundalini yoga considers carnal indulgence as a medium to increase self exploration”(yoga for sex). It is interesting to see how even various yoga systems have different beliefs and limitations. A quote from the yoga for sex site explains what Kundalini yoga does: “Techniques in Kundalini Yoga are designed to channel sexual energy up the spine, through pranayama, asana and meditation, to where it can be used for spiritual development”. There are many advantages of Kundalini yoga one of them being: “it does not require being a yoga expert or following instructions from a yoga teacher in the long term (although initial instruction by a teacher is required) (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 9). This definitely is important in the Western world where people are often in a hurry and going to a yoga class can be too big of an effort so having the option of practicing at the comfort of one's own house can be very helpful. This also means that it is safe enough to practice on your own after receiving initial instructions so this is also an advantage of yoga because the last thing one will want is to hurt himself.

YOGA AND SEXUAL HEALTH

The importance of sexual activity in the West has led to the creation of medicine (for example viagra) that is meant to improve the sexual aspect of people's life. Unluckily medicine for impotence very often causes other health problems such as heart disease, high or low blood pressure, heart attack, coronary artery, liver or kidney disease. With the growing interest in Eastern methods people are switching or even incorporating holistic ways to improve one's sexual, and of course overall health. So why is sexual activity so important? According to many Eastern masters believe that “about 90% of your sexual energy is used to repair and rejuvenate the organs of the body” (Kundalini Yoga for sex energy transformation). Yoga can make sex more meaningful because it teaches how to control energy in the body and how to transform it so that it can improve one’s health. According to yoga theory people have certain diseases pertaining to sexuality because energy is blocked or stagnant in the root chakra (mooladhara chakra) or the second chakra (swadhisthana chakra) (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 382). There are different ways of controlling and releasing energy, and I believe it depends on who is doing. “One way to release this energy is to raise or move one’s kundalini through the spine and up to the brain through the nadis (channels through which energy passes through the chakras)” (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 383). This idea of energy is something many people still struggle with because it is so different from what the Western society has taught us. It is definitely good to learn about energies but if one does not agree with them it is fine to focus on and follow other aspects of yoga.

GENDER DIFFERENCES

“Academic work addressed topics ranging from male sexuality and the vibrant nature of female energy known as sakti to ethnographies of female saints” (Douglass, 2007, p. 6). This sentence is mostly important because it introduces the topic of sex differences in Eastern cultures. Using spiritual words to name sex organs was very popular in the East. Many Indian spiritual ways on male and female differences, such as Buddhism, give names to sex organs, for example “diamond” when referring to the male reproductive organ and “lotus” for the female one (Buddha and Love, 2011). Although stereotypical, the belief that male and female have different energies is based on true Ancient texts, such as the kāma sūtra, which is one of the most important of all Eastern sources because of its long history of study and usage. Focusing on improvement differences one can see the results after practicing yoga vary depending on the practitioner's gender. Some scholars have studied the improvement of concentration, relaxation and many other factors thanks to yoga but the gender difference outcomes are mostly interesting.
“Men with premature ejaculation who practiced an hour of yoga a day for 12 weeks were able to triple the length of time they lasted during intercourse”(Watkins, 2008). There are many poses that are good especially for men because of how the breathing controls anxiety while movements strengthen their pelvic muscles. In books, such as The Multi-Orgasmic Couple (2001) the idea of extending the longevity and increasing the number of sexual intercourse in one night by facilitating male orgasms without ejaculation has been proven through numerous studies and the research done on Taoist methods. This is also something that was later on discussed by Brotto, Mehak and Kit (2009) when speaking on Kundalini energy. These two sources that have chosen different Eastern methods are an example of how similar the idea of sexual performance is but how the techniques vary.
As sexual improvement through yoga is something that interests me, I am also able to learn how it can improve my own life.“Female practitioners of yoga have been found to be less likely to objectify their bodies and to be more aware of their physical selves. This tendency, in turn, may be associated with increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness, and perhaps sexual desires” (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 382). Although one may experience many changes in the body and mind, it is easier to realize them and describe them when there are articles and books on it. Scholarly information and life stories are useful because they support the feelings one might have but that are difficult to name. It also shows how similar human experience and how different techniques change people's lives. To me it is important to remember that different methods, work for different people and just because yoga works for me does not mean it will work for some other person. One of the studies done by Indian researchers resulted in supporting the idea that after merely 12 weeks of yoga, women's sexual function scores were significantly improved in all domains studied (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) (Sherman, 2010, p. 76). The number of research being done on yoga in connection to sexual health, performance, activity and quality is growing, and it is clear that it worth trying out yoga breathing practices and/or the movement poses that go with it.
An important quote from the Kāma Sūtra in the translated version by Daniélou (1994) is “sexual weakness is mainly due to two causes: one is impotence due to mental instability, while the other, which is physical, is due to reasons of frigidity” (p. 523). Before one looks for solution to any problem the cause/s must be first found and presented for clarity and I believe the translator has shown what they are. Although there are many ways to work on the problem and yoga does a good job at doing it because as quoted earlier by Ross and Thomas (2010) it helps the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of an individual.
Although this paper speaks of sexual activity it is important to note that there are also many poses to control desire and erection for those that choose celibacy. “For instance, there is a central pose known as siddh¯asana in which the practitioner’s legs are crossed while seated during which a celibate man can pinch his penis and scrotum with his heels to control his desire” (Brotto, Mehak & Kit, 2009, p. 7). I believe it to be unhealthy and unnatural to use poses whether they are painful or not, to repress desire because human, as animals, are made to reproduce and live sexually.

SEX AS SPIRITUALITY

Yoga has been shown to improve sexual health but an interesting part of sexuality is how it can turn into spirituality. This topic could be another paper so I will only touch upon it to simply introduce it because it is connected to yogic masters. “In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: "I'm omnipresent but in the human body. I take the form of desire, particularly sexual desire."”(sex and spirituality) For thousands of years sexuality has been believed to transform one to enlightenment when practiced according to Eastern teachings. This is something many yogic masters have discovered and thus have used yoga to increase sexual abilities in order to reach the highest goal. One of the most interesting quotes by Badrinath explains:
“The force of sex can be transmuted into the highest form of spiritual energy. That can be done neither by confining sexuality within an arbitrary social order, nor by renouncing it, but by utmost submission to it. The cosmic energy stored in human sexuality can be released into human consciousness. But not before sex has been perceived, and worshipped, as the primal force, Shakti” (sex and spirituality).
To me this quote is important because it explains how balancing and finding a mean between the two opposing beliefs can lead to a transformation through sexuality. Sex was not the way to enlightenment for all practitioners because these are supposedly higher teachings and one must have the right qualifications for this. It must be first perceived and worshipped; sexual intercourse was a process that was practiced only after the right amount of study.

COUPLES YOGA

Doing yoga together as a way to enhance ones relationship is something I struggle to understand because I cannot see how practice in pairs can make partners feel closer to another. I can see how it can be a way to feel more comfortable with the partner and I am sure experimenting different poses in bed is easier after doing yoga but the heart connection through yoga is something I have never experienced. “By using specific asana, mudra, pranayam and meditations to sync your energies with your partner, you create a powerful bond between the two of you that transcends your physical body. You prepare your souls to merge.”(http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/yoga-for-sex/). Maybe it is true but I cannot say, all I know it is a fun way to spend time with a partner and it definitely relaxes people.

CONCLUSION

The amount of research on the correlation between yoga and sex has been growing steadily for many years now but there are still some topics that need to be expanded more. The problem with the researchers is that they are all fighting for yoga and so any negative outcomes are being overlooked. I believe it is important that research should be done by neutral people so that one can trust books and articles fully. I would like to see more case studies being done on yoga and sexual health, activity and ability rather than Eastern texts being translated into English or having Westerners write books on what they have learned.

Yoga is beneficial because it works on so many levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual through breathing, movement and flow of energies. It has been proven to improve one’s sexual life thanks to the healing and strengthening process that is present when doing yoga for at least a couple of weeks. As a yoga practitioner I can agree with and relate to most of the readings that I have done for this research paper. Yoga definitely relaxes one’s body and mind, which gives a clearer vision of things and makes life more enjoyable. Although yoga is very beneficial there is of course the need to balance things out and overdoing it can be as unhealthy as any other physical practice. The sexual differences in men and women are visible when the benefits for both genders are presented. The advantage of doing yoga for men is for example the ability to perform better in bed when they have premature ejaculation and for women sex is less painful and the possibilities are larger when the body is more flexible and relaxed. Although I do not agree with some of the readings, especially those speaking of the emotional connection between the partners when doing yoga together because to me it is simply a way of relaxation and enjoying life. The goal of this paper has not been to support yoga by showing how it can benefit ones sexual life but to lay out the research that has been done on it. It is an interesting topic as many people suffer because sex is widely talked about in popular media which causes stress for those that are incapable of performing so well. There is a large amount of ways one can improve his/her sexual abilities which can bring many happy moments in life, so I do believe that trying different practices can be great and yoga is a good place to start.

References:
Brotto, L., Mehak, L., & Kit, C. (2009). Yoga and sexual functioning: a review, Journal of sex & Marital Therapy, 35(5), 378-390.
Chia, M., & Chia, M. (2001). Multi orgasmic couple: secrets about sex every couple should know. London: Thorsons.
Chopra, P. (n.d.). An article on the curious relationship between sex and spirituality. Life Positive – Your complete guide to holistic living. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from: http://www.lifepositive.com/body/sexuality/sex-spirituality.asp
Daniélou, A. (1994). The complete Kāma Sūtra: the first unabridged modern translation of the classic Indian text by Vātsyāyana. Rochester, VT.: Park Street Press.
Derezotes, D. (2000). Evaluation of yoga and meditation trainings with adolescent sex offenders. Child and adolescent social work journal, 17(2), 97-113.
Douglass, L. (2007). Yoga tradition: How did we get here? A history of yoga in America 1800- 1970, International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 17, 1-8. Cambridge, MA: Lesley University & Orlando, FL: Hindu University, College of Yoga Sciences.
Fuller, J. (n.d.). Yoga And Sex: Kundalini Yoga Favors Sexual Energy For Mental Strength. Articles Directory - Thousands of Quality Articles Listed. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/42766.html
Kaufman, M., Silverberg, C., & Odette, F. (2003). Sex and disabilities. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press Inc.
Kundalini Yoga for sex energy transformation. http://pinklotus.org/- %20KY%20Kriya%20for%20sex%20energy%20transformation.html
Nydahl, O. (2011). Buddha and love. Nevada City, CA: Blue Dolphin Pub.
Ross, A., & Thomas, S. (2010). The Health Benefits of Yoga and Exercise: A Review of Comparison Studies. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 3- 12.
Sebelis, S. (2011). Reflecting On Relaxation. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 17(2), 45-47.

Sherman, R. (2010). Yoga improves sexual functioning. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 94, 76.
Singleton, M. (2010). Yoga body: the origins of modern posture practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Watkins, D. (2008, March 1). Limber up for love. Men's Health.
Yoga for Sex: 5 Kundalini Yoga kriyas for a blissful sex life. (n.d.). Kundalini Yoga Music, DVD's, Yoga Music CD's, Books, and Yoga Clothes by Spirit Voyage. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/yoga-for-sex/

Melissa's research paper : Restoring the Mind and Body

Yoga: Theory, Culture and Practice
Restoring the Mind and Body
Melissa Uva
Lesley University

Abstract

Research was done to look deeper into how yoga could help improve teens with clinical depression. Its sad but true that depression among teens is more widespread than people realize. Its also found most in teens due to all the hardships and changes going on in their lives. By creating this study, and looking deeper into things, its clear that yoga could help overcome depression in a number of ways. Those out there doing yoga and working with their disorders have only improved. Not only mentally, but also in a physical state too.







Within the United states, depression is the most common mental health disorder among teens. Nowadays, we know that depression comes along with several negative effects. Such as sadness, loss of interest, weight changes, sleeping problems, loss of energy, thoughts of suicide, and the list goes on. Though there are millions of teens all over the world struggling with this disorder on a day to day basis, there are several ways to work through and eventually overcome it. Yes, there are the common cures such as antidepressants, or therapy, but there are also other better alternatives. One way being through the culture and practice of yoga. Not only used to overcome depression by the movements with the body and thought process, but also by the breathing exercises as well. Over the years, yoga has become the source and solution to many disorders.
For starters, many may not realize how far back the practice of yoga actually goes. Just because its the new sensation now in America, doesn't mean that people haven't been practicing it years ago in other parts of the world. We don't know much about the history of yoga, as in when it originated, but we do know that the culture began years ago. Based on evidence and research, we are able to grasp an estimated time in which Yoga began. “A path to enlightenment that winds back 5,000 years in its native India, yoga has suddenly become so hot, so cool, so very this minute”1. Since it began, the culture spread rapidly. Not only did the culture spread all over the world, but different types of yoga began to form off of the idea. Over time, various schools of yoga have been created. For example, Hatha, Bikram, Iyengar, etc. All of these examples of yoga express different styles and emphasis. Though there are different ways
of practicing yoga, many follow the same aspect and share similar ideas of restoring the mind and body. “Study (svâdhyâya) is in fact an important aspect of many branches and schools of
Yoga.”2. Its interesting to see that many study the culture and origin in order to become one with yoga, and get a further understand of the practice itself. Also, to get the idea of whats behind yoga, and what its all about.
After studying the effects of yoga and depression, it is clear that yoga has a positive out come in helping teens cope and overcome the disorder. “Depression is a disorder of the mind caused by dysfunction of both the body and the brain”3. With that said, it is easier to grasp the understanding as to where yoga fits into the healing category. Yoga could help work with the mind and help one find themselves. “When we practice yoga, were clearing the space within - dissolving tension in the body and mind”4. It also allows us to understand that we don't have to live with this negativity and depression, that theres a way to move past it. Its proven that you have the power to clear your mind from all of the chaos. Not only could it help in that way, but also making someone feel better about themselves in several other ways. By improving on themselves in controlling the mind process and also working on flexibility, muscles, energy, and health. “yoga is seen as the control of five senses and a reduction of mental activity, eventually
allowing nirvana like state to be achieved”5. This statement portrays the central india idea of easing the mind so that you can be free from suffering. In this case, getting a further
understanding as to how yoga could ease the thought process and help move past the depressed state of mind. The practice itself could help someone find themselves and cure the depression.
The beauty of yoga is that anyone can do it. There's an appropriate practice for every body. Whether it be more of a mental state of yoga, or a more of an active practice. It all depends on how extreme the depression is, and what works best to help control the mind for each and every individual. Each yoga practice usually falls under the category of ‘clearing the mind’ and it could be done under certain circumstances. For example, you could do an active yoga workout and while doing so, your mind is cleared from everything else in life. For some they need complete silence and deep breathing practices. Which would contain the fewest movements as possible in order to become one with their mind. In this case they would do more of a thought and mind yoga instead of woking more with the body. No matter which practice is used, yoga in general has been proven to help teens cope with these issues. “Study has shown that teenagers, who are often angry and depressed at the start of a yoga class, find relief from their worries and are less depressed afterwards.”6 Therefore stating that it really does have an effect and can help relieve any tension that is causing the depression, no matter how severe.
From our understanding, depression can cause a lot of negative effects on someone. Its horrible to see a loved one not enjoy the activities that they usually enjoy doing. Those who are effected in a negative way usually aren't fun to be around, and slowly become less admired by
those around them. Due to the fact, that they cant be themselves with all of these negative traits. Many people don't realize that they are actually depressed until these negative factors in their lives kick in. Even though one can be diagnosed with this disorder, there is no way to explain the
cause of it. It is found that a range of factors can contribute to the disorder. Factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalance, hormonal factors, stress, and even medical illnesses. Teens are especially prone to this disorder more than any other age, because of all the experiences and changes that they are going through in this stage in life. Its not easy to work past these negative thoughts or feelings, but if yoga is introduced and tried, theres no saying how much the patient could improve. They aren't only getting the practice to help with their mental state of mind, but they are also improving in their appearance. For example being more toned, and more flexible. This may boost their self esteem and make them have a positive out look on life in a few different ways.
After working through the study of how yoga can help with depression, its easy to see that yoga could have a positive effect on those with the disorder. A study shows on the improvement in those who took yoga for depression,“Significant positive change in attitude in yoga”.7 This so called ‘positive change’ was happening during the treatment and seen in the follow-up. Not only by working with the mind and body, but also by comparing it to other ways to overcome depression. If you have a natural way of overcoming this disorder, why would you allow someone to take antidepressants. Antidepressants have negative effects and could open up to a whole bunch of other issues. Furthermore, paying for therapy could be very expensive over time. Sometimes, even therapy cant help people on a day to day basis, so why waste your money. With yoga, you could find a nice place, and pay a decent amount to go there. With addressing the disorder, its necessary to frame it by a satisfactory theory of the relation between mind and body. With doing so, yoga would be the best fit to work with the two, because thats the main goal of yoga practices. Becoming one with your mind and body is most important, and could be such a positive outlook for those suffering with depression. Yoga could really open their outlook in life and help them move past the negativity in life, that way they can enjoy everything around them.
All in all, in order to help those with depression, you must work towards the mind and body as a whole. In that case, yoga can be the best cure to help work towards healing and becoming a stronger person. No one person would use the same practice, because there are so many different ways of approaching yoga. In order to become one with the mind and body you must find out which practice would work best for you. Not only is the practice important, but also grasping outside knowledge on yoga and learning about the history will help those understand the meaning of it all. This could be the best way to move past depression and strengthen the thoughts and actions of those with the disorder. Hopefully more teens open to this idea, and start to turn to yoga for these sort of disorders. It has worked before and has made changes in others lives, who knows what effect it could have on the world.

Works Cited

Corliss, Richard . (April 15, 2001). The Power of Yoga. Retrieved from Time Magazine

Feuerstein, Georg. ( 2006 ). The Origin of Yoga. Retrieved from A Short History of Yoga

Glannon, Walter. (September 2002). Depression as a mind-body problem. Retrieved from Philosophy, psychiatry, and psychology

Izard, Carroll. Read, Peter. Rutter, Michael. (November 22, 1985). Developmental and clinical Perspective. Retrieved from Depression in Young People

Jacobson, Edith (1972) Depression: Comparative Studies of Normal Neurotic and psychotic Conditions. Retrieved from The Journal of American Medical Association

Metha, Purvi and Sharma, Manjoj. (October 2010). Yoga as a complementary therapy for clinical depression. Retrieved from Sage Journals

(2009). Depressiom puts Teens at Risk. Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints

Poonam, Grover. (July 1987). Indian Psychiatric Society. Retrieved from Indian Journal of Psychiatry

Teleki, Jasmine Williams. ( 2010 ). Mindfulness-based stress reduction. Retrieved from Dissertation abstracts International

Vol 124 ( october 2009) Impact of teen depression on acedemics, social, and physical functioning. Retrieved from Pediatrics

Keeley's Yoga Research Paper

Spiritual Westernization of Yoga

and its Relationship with Christianity

KEELEY MILLS

Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Introduction

Humanity has been searching for answers and theories to our existence since the beginning of time. These explanations have led to the blooming of numerous religions. This religious journey for explanation has evoked the most powerful opinions and convictions, resulting in ‘justified’ wars, death, and devastation. But not all results have been negative. Rather, some effects have been positive such as feelings of belonging, meaning, and enlightenment. Theology and opposing debate saturate our world’s history. One of the many confrontations born from the battle of beliefs is the debate of whether the junction of yoga and Christianity is sacrilegious.

Presented strictly chronologically, yoga is traced back as far as 5,000 years ago and has origins connected with the Hindu religion, whereas, Catholicism and Christianity only date back 2,000 years. This 3,000-year difference would clearly trump the claims of connection by any other group, and put Hinduism as proprietor of yoga (Cullen, 2005). But is modern civilization really that vast? What does it matter that Hindus practiced yoga first? This is immediately reminiscent of two toddlers arguing over whom was in line first. Order of discovery, first or second, does not matter. All that is important is the discovery itself. It is distressing that society, as a cumulative, has not evolved enough to respect each individual’s experiences. Why does it matter that 5,000 years ago Hindus first established this religious practice (Cullen, 2005)? It doesn’t. Especially in America, where we pride ourselves and boast of religious freedom we should respect anything that allows someone to feel closer to God, Allah, Buddha, or whomever their deity is.

Union of Yoga and Christianity

The respect and acceptance of yoga are not morally compromising for every Christian. In fact, some Christians have literary expanded their personal religious practice to include both Christian teachings and yoga. Writings promoting Christian yoga or devotional forms of yoga have been around since the 1960’s (Cullen, 2005). Over time the spread and popularity of yoga has grown as Christians have accepted yoga and created their own practices. Susan Bordenkircher is just one example of a Christian who developed a personal yoga that contributed to her faith. She created her own asanas or postures with a theological twist. Where in traditional yoga, meditations are meant to focus on calming the mind; Bordenkircher turns that focus to Jesus and his presence in the individual (Cullen, 2005). She continues to make the minor tweak of “sun salutations,” a sequence of asanas devoted to the Hindu Sun God to mean “Son salutations,” again, honoring Jesus and bringing him to mind (Cullen, 2005).

While this troubled some traditionalists in her congregation, her priest, John Keller, reassured fellow parishioners, claiming the Bible actually reinforces yoga as a lucrative mode of prayer (Cullen, 2005). He states that the bible actually describes physical statures of the body for prayer, which can be synonymous with the yoga’s asanas (Cullen 2005). This modernization or evolution of yoga and Christianity has broken the stereotypical view of Christians and Catholics as being condemning and judgmental, and opened numerous people’s minds literally drawing them off their mats and into the chapel.

Bordenkircher was neither the first nor the last Christian to incorporate yoga into theological practice. Additional forms like hers, “Yahweh Yoga” (Miller, 2007) and “Yoga Devotion,” (Cullen, 2005) have abundant books, DVDs, and a broad following among Western civilization. This yoga Christian transition consists of minute changes like retracting Sanskrit, adding scripture, and dedicating the meditation to Jesus. This practice apparently improves the individual through quiet retrospection and mentally channeling the Lord (Miller, 2007).

Hindu Perspective on Christian Yoga

Not all Hindus are accepting and interested in mainly Western evolution of yoga. In fact many Hindus are very upset at the Western yoga practice, expanding outside of the Theological realm. Christian or not, The Hindu American Foundation, (HAF),is not happy about the yoga being promoted in America. The HAF released a statement about the two major fallacies pertaining to yoga’s practice in the Western Hemisphere. The first concern is that it is essentially physical (Sheveleand, 2011), completely, disregarding the historically rooted mental and spiritual capabilities that the practice has evoked for centuries upon centuries. Their second biggest discrepancy is the notion that yoga and Hinduism can be separated. The HAF feels this separation cannot be made (Sheveland, 2011). Western entrepreneurs of yoga are at fault (Sheveleand, 2011). Their pursuit of money and profit, greatly supported by America’s knack of performing cosmetic surgery on external cultures and traditions, led them to cut and edit yoga to be presented to Americans as the next shallow exercise fad, obviously void of religion.

This displeasure and rage is understandable as it draws back to the struggle of respect often found in pious differences. As a woman brought up in the Catholic faith, I am familiar with the superior attitude that exists in religion, including my own. I am not blind to the discrimination and disdain that many religions experience from other devouts in our society. Not only has Hinduism been misjudged and viewed with religious stigmas, they’ve also had to watch as American culture has become infatuated and hypnotized with yoga, a practice deeply rooted in their faith, as the latest fad.

Hindus and Christians Actually Agree….That Yoga is Blasphemous

Pronouncing the same qualms of religious affiliation, certain Christians echo feelings of the Hindu American Foundation. While standing on the same side of the fence, purist Christian theologians such as Albert Mohler would be sure to make known that the line was still drawn. Mohler adamantly denounces all Eastern practices, including mediation and yoga (Sheveland, 2011). While very offensive and ignorant, he supports the fact that HAF and other purists are trying to clarify about yoga and religious affiliation. Mohler, and other purists like him, contend that “Hinduism is not like a recipe ingredient that can be extracted from yoga” (Cullen, 2005). This other religious affiliation immediately disqualifies any Christian connection. He acts as if the combination of Christianity and yoga, with the presence of its Hindu History will result in a chemical explosion. Spoiler alert, no spontaneous combustions have occurred.

As previously acknowledged, his self-righteous views make him very audible and offensive, pronouncing that yoga is “UnChristian” and that we, humanity, “are called to meditate upon the word of God…not to meditate by means of incomprehensible syllables” (Mohler, 2011). Mohler continues on to say “through participating in yoga, you violate Christian beliefs, compromising your soul” (Sheveland, 2011). Using theological fear tactics of damnation, many purists see Christianity as a strictly solid context. Once you venture outside of that realm of burning bushes, talking snakes, and virginal mothers, you’re in unsafe territory, clearly perturbed, and therefore denouncing Christianity.

I don’t know what Mohler envisions when he prays to God, but from his actions it’s an angry bloodthirsty personification. In my 21 years I can’t say I have experienced even close to one percent of what this world has to offer, but I know from the beauty I’ve seen, people I’ve met, and the experiences that whatever higher power has granted me, yoga and the mental capacity granted through its practice will not send me to the fiery pits of hell. Nor will I defy my beliefs. I can confidently state a practice acclaimed to strengthening holistic presence will not distance my relationship or anyone’s relationship with their personal god.

Of Course the Catholics Have an Opinion

Other traditional theologians, like Mohler have trouble with yoga because Hinduism is a religion involving the worship of multiple deities, polytheism (Miller, 2007). Christianity, being monotheistic, believing in one God, also promotes the moral code of the Ten Commandments. The First Commandment, relating to monotheism, also denotes the worship or acceptance of any false idols (Miller, 2007).

Catholicism, similar to Christianity, follows the Ten Commandments and the rejection of yoga as a religious affiliated experience. It was addressed as a serious matter when in 1989 the Vatican verbally declared through a written deed, signed by Pope Benedict XVI, that the gratifying feelings yoga evoked from the individual is not to be mistaken as spiritual (Cullen, 2005). As if that wasn’t enough, they felt the urge to again, in 2003, release another proclamation clarifying the disapproval of contemporary practices, such as yoga (Cullen 2005).

Catholic and Christians both accept the fact or promote the choice that we are granted from God free will. That free will is ours to do with how we please. This should be called to mind when conversations turn into debates about yoga and its claim to faith. What is hard for me to understand is that these people are so blinded by their words and the need to prove they’re correct that they are missing an important and beautiful thing: the strengthening or deepening of a spiritual relationship. The ability of this to occur transcends thousands of years and millions of miles. Connecting humanity through one shared practice.

Extreme Christian Views

The negative reactions from some in the Christian community on yoga continue on. Losana Boyd is a Christian who actually re-found Christianity through the yearning that yoga made her feel. Instead of gaining mental relaxation from the practice, she said that it made her further aware of the missing link in her life (Boyd, 2011). Boyd continues to explain the inadequacy of yoga as spiritual, and actually qualifying it as blasphemous in treating the “mat” as sacred. In her mind, that only exists at the altar, where the body and blood of Christ is received (Boyd, 2011).

While Boyd has strong beliefs of the inabilities of yoga toward religion, there are others who express themselves in a more brutal and bizarre manner. Some extreme Christians feel that through channeling the body and referencing the feeling of pleasure dangerously encourages immoral behavior. Basically, yoga, or becoming aware of physical and mental gratification will lead to sex. (Yoga is UnChristian, Says Baptist Leader, 2010). These conservative Christians feel that by bringing physicality into worship, leads to awareness of our bodies, which automatically results in the body being reduced to its precisely to its parts. While I disagree with that dim view of humanity’s mind capabilities, strangely enough, that view actually has some ground with the nature of the next extremists. Believe it or not, but there is now “Christian pole dancing” (Yoga is Unchristian, Says Baptist Leader, 2010). They claim that through seductively dancing to worship music and the word of God they are taking care of his temple, their bodies (Yoga is Unchristian, Says Baptist Leader, 2010).

Then of course there continues to be even further multiplicities, much like Mohler, who exceed the beliefs that everything outside of their religion will burn in hell. These Christians feel that there are only two foundations of divine clarification: God’s Holy origins versus the Devil’s evil origins (Cramer p.12, 2011). Basically, yoga, having the Hindu involvement, would qualify it as the latter. “Yoga’s focus on self-purification… is a ticket to hell. There is no comfort for God in it” (Cramer, 2011). They feel that the meditation method that occurs during yoga cannot praise and worship the Lord. I feel that they are wrong. It is impossible that any of these people can claim they understand what every person feels when they pray and meditate. One thing that all these groups do solidify and prove is the vast range of spirituality that we all can feel and how different each of our paths are to get there.

Can’t We Just All Get Along?

What I noticed about religion along time ago is how extreme the similarities are between many of them. In my mind the stories are all quite the same, there is a god who is responsible for creation and then a prophet or messiah sent to save us all from ourselves. And in our communities, religions, we all join together to pray, meditate; ask for forgiveness, protection, thanks, all things of that nature. This holds true to the translation or break down of yoga.

Teresa Watanabe explores these ideas even further. “Isa” which is translated to “Lord” in Sanskrit, can be understood as “Jesus” in the Bible (2004). The star that led the three wise men to baby Jesus in the story in the New Testament can be understood as the star of wisdom, that Hindus recognize as the third eye that is received through the practice of meditation (Watanabe, 2004). She evens goes as far as to claim that Jesus visited India during his “lost years, 13-30” and participated in yoga (Watanabe, 2004). Watanabe may present some bold ideas, but she’s definitely moving in the right direction. She’s demonstrating to analyze everything, be open to it all, be Christian, Jewish, Catholic, and be open to yoga. Being cognitive and aware is the only way we can expect to grow or gain anything, such as enlightenment or spirituality.

Christian Yoga Spiritual Breakdown

The most reassuring or powerful support I found was in the writings of Pastor Copevhaver. He took up yoga as a meditation practice and found that turning down the dial of your surroundings and being a new comer to yoga helped him better understand his religion and his practices of worship (Copenhaver, 2011). Both theories of religion and yoga teach that body and mind are not separate entities and that we can practice worship through both.

The practice of pranayama, yogic breathing exercises, has been affirmed by many Christians as effectively silencing the mind, granting one the ability to center themselves and discover the company of God more abundantly (Sheveland, 2011). This practice of slow breathing helps us to become aware of everything in our presence, our place, our being, and Christ (Sheveland, 2011). All these act entirely as testaments to yoga having the ability to intensify religious relationships, not hurt them.

Finally, the Most Important Part, How I feel

“Ours is the most permissive society history has ever known” (Snell p.2, 2011). America, the land of the free! When expressing that in the Declaration of Independence did we need to include a subparagraph under religious equality? Really, today the only thing outlawed is to outlaw something (Snell, 2011). Eastern insights, among various others, can contribute to theological thoughts (Weaver, 2011), just as Western intellect contributes back. The past, present, and future of the world entirely can open the door to new concepts. Yoga, as a specific example, provides a chance to better understand Christianity and all religions by teaching appreciation and recognition of both Western and Eastern traditions. At the same time, yoga’s inclination is towards divine livelihood. It yearns for the connection between intellect and body (Sheveland, 2011). While some Christians feel yoga is not a spiritual experience or an answer to any religious longing, they cannot and do not have the ability to speak for the personal experiences to every individual. Spirituality is a different and unique experience for each individual person

Interpretation, being a broad concept, has led certain members of all faiths, including myself, to take these harsh reactions and exclamations not as denouncements, but as a remembrance to honor our beliefs when participating in yoga (Cullen, 2005). All of these people, while some erratic, some conservative, and some uncanny, all support my theory of the inability to limit spiritual practice. While many are convinced that their ways are correct, they are still illuminating the vast different forms that people can connect with whatever divine power they recognize. What one-person experiences on a yoga mat can be what another feels on their knees in a church. Hopefully, through practices like Christian Yoga, the world will slowly begin to realize this.

References

Anderson, M. (2011). God Has a Wonderful Plan For Your Body. Christianity

Today, 55(8), 34-38.

Boyd, L. (2011) THROUGH YOGA TO CHRISTIANITY. First Things: A Monthly

Journal of Religion & Public Life, (210), 15-17.

Copenhaver, M.B. (2011). My Wandering Mind. Christian Century, 128(12),11-12.

Cullen, L. Stretching for Jesus. Time, 166(10), 75.

Miller, L. (2007). Namaste. Newsweek, 150(12),16.

Sheveland, J.N. (2011). Is Yoga Religious? Christian Century, 128(12), 22-25.

Snell, Marilyn. “The world of religion according to Huston Smith.” Mother Jones

Nov.-Dec. 1997: 40+. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13

Nov.2011.

Watanabe, T. (2004, Dec 11). BELIEFS; A Hindu’s perspective on Christ and

Christianity; A new book complied from the works of a guru who died 52

Years ago offers thoughts on Jesus’ teachings and their unity with yoga.

Los Angeles Times, pp. B.2-B.2

Weaver, W. (2011). YOGA’S PERKS AND PERILS. First Things: A Monthly Journal of

Religion & Public Life, (212), 12-13.

Yoga is UnChristian, says Baptist leader. (2010). Christian Century , 127 (21),18.

Dahn Yoga:To be Respected or to be Feared?

Calvin K Cheung

CSOCS 3452-01

Laura Douglass

Lesley University

In recent years there has been a raise of Yoga. One of these kinds of yoga is Dahn Yoga. Dahn Yoga is a Yoga that is from Korea and was rediscover by a man named Ilchi Lee (www.dahnyoga.com, 2010). Dahn Yoga has been labeled as a cult in recent years due to bizarre practices that has led to the deaths of practitioners and labeled as dangerous (Erdely, 2010). To get a better understanding and to see if Dahn Yoga is something that is dangerous, this paper will focus on the history of Dahn Yoga, the definition of a cult, ideology of new religions, some perspective on cultural rituals and practices, why people do certain practices and then I will describe some of my own interpretation of the Dahn Yoga. This paper will question the actuations of Dahn Yoga, and will look at some of the cultural bias that some of the actuation may have. It will also look at some of the Korean’s religious practices. Before one can see if Dahn Yoga is a cult, one should look at the accusation.

Accusation

Sabrina Ruth Erdely, a writer from the Rolling Stone Magazine has deemed Dahn Yoga as some kind of cult in the 1038^th issue of the Rolling Stone magazine. She writes about a college student by the name of Amy, who used to be a Dahn Yoga practitioner, and who has spent over $100,000 on Dahn Yoga sessions. She writes about how Amy and some other ex-Dahn Yoga practitioners had to go through therapies as they spend a lot of their time and money on this kind yoga. Erdely describes one of the more advance levels of Dahn yoga that Amy was in; “…clad in blue tracksuits and barely functioning on three hours of sleep — were standing in a waist-deep fountain in the desert of Sedona, Arizona... Amy broke through the water's surface again and launched into song, careful to keep a smile on her face as tears rolled down her cheeks” (Erdely, 2010, p.50).

The article continues to use bias language to describe Dahn Yoga as cult, and it describes how other practices within Dahn Yoga may be peculiar (Erdely, 2010). Another one of these practices that Amy has claim was that Amy was require to try to recruit twenty new members and raise $20,000 a month for the organization (Erdely, 2010). Erdely continues to write about how Dahn yoga may be a cult and not some kind of yoga because Dahn Yoga does not have typical Yoga poses such as “downward dog”, or sun salutation (Erdely, 2010). In her report, Erdely continues to describes how the leader of Dahn yoga, Ilchi Lee, seems be some kind of cult leader, as his image is present each center, and the teacher of each session seems describe him as some kind of mysterious and holy person (Erdely, 2010). Erdely then describes lee as sexual pervert who has many reports of sexual harassment scandals. Erdely then writes about how other critics describe Dahn yoga, "Dahn is a destructive mind-control cult…” (Erdely, p.50). These are just some examples of popular beliefs that may reflect on Dahn Yoga; however, one should know the history of Dahn Yoga and know the definition of a cult before one can label Dahn Yoga a cult.

History

Dahn Yoga was created by a man named Ilchi Lee, who is also seen as the leader of the organization (Erdely, 2010). According to the Dahn yoga website, Dahn yoga was rediscover by Ilchi Lee around the 1980s. Dahn Yoga was in an ancient Asian, and what seems to be Chinese, sand script, which is called Chun Bu Kyung in Korean (Dahnyoga.com, 2010). Chun Bu Kyung is said to be over nine thousands year old. The website continues to describe how the sand script, which was part of traditional Korean practice called Sun Do, has some connections with other practices like Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, and martial arts (Dahnyoga.com, 2010). It was not reported on how Lee found the sand script, but it was reported on the Dahn Yoga website that Lee continued to teach this form of Yoga in the 1980s to the 1990s, and has even taught the Dahn Yoga to the Korean Military in 1987. Then he retired to work on chi’s influence to the mind (dahnyoga.com, 2010). Lee went through a spiritual journey before he started to use Dahn Yoga and start teaching it in a park located in South Korea (DahnYoga.com, 2010).

Cults and New Religion Movement

In an Academic journal written by James T. Richardson called the “Definition of Cult: Form Sociological-Technical to Popular Negative” written in 1993, Richardson’s definition describes a cult as;

“…a cult is usually defined as a small informal group lacking a definite authority structure, somewhat spontaneous in its development (although often possessing a somewhat charismatic leader or group leaders), transitory, somewhat mystical and individualistically oriented, and deriving its inspiration and ideology from outside the predominant religious culture” (Richardson, 1993, p. 349)

According to Richardson’s definition Dahn Yoga may be some kind of a cult; however, Richardson’s research was based on older writings that he had researched about, and could also describe any religion within the U.S as not Christian as a cult. Richardson has also described that the definition of a cult has been changing (Richardson, 1993, p 348). This can be seen in more recent studies, where this definition of cults can be seen as some kind of new religion movement.

In another journal, from the Journal of Cognition & Culture, an article was written by Afzal M. Upal, which was called “Towards a Cognitive Science of New Religious Movements” in 2005, describes new religion movement as three models, the Psychopathology Model, the entrepreneur model, and the subculture evolution model (Upal, 2005, p 215). The model the best describe Dahn Yoga may be the Psychopathology, which describes a new religion as having a very charismatic leader, who may have some kind of delusional episode, which made them to believe to have some kind of spiritual awareness(Upal, 2005, 215). However, Upal goes against this idea by showing research that has shown that in brain scans of Tibetan Buddhist and Franciscan Nuns who are in meditation are not going through some kind of delusion, rather they are experiencing profound sense of reality (Upal, 2005, 216). This is what Ilchi Lee may have experience as he went through his Spiritual Journey.

Dahn Yoga could also fall into the entrepreneur model as well, as Dahn Yoga is an organization that sells their beliefs. In Upal’s research the entrepreneur model is described as a new religion that is formed by the marketing of an idea of a future reward that can be attained by exchange of payment (Upal, 2005, 216). This is something that I believe that Dahn Yoga is trying to do, as one reads Erdely’s article. One can also see that Dan Yoga could fall into the entrepreneur model is because they seem to be promoting the idea of becoming a better person (dahnyoga.com, 2010). Before one can call Dahn Yoga as a something dangerous one should also look into some cultural perspectives.

Cultural Perspective

In the International Congregational Journal an article written by Lee Sung Ock called “A Time like This Korean Church and the Privatization of Religion” has describe how in Korea the Christian faith has been privatized to the point in which some churches has some kind of business plan, and pastors are seen as leaders who are in charge of a private property which is the church (Ock, 2007, p 43). I feel as though this idea of privatizing a religion was something in which Ilchi Lee used when he was creating the Dahn Yoga Program. As Ock has describe, this idea of privatizing religion is a reflection the Korean Culture (Ock, 2007, p 43), which I feel is what Ilchi Lee took from as he is from the South Korean descent. Another thing one must look at is the culture and rituals of other practices, like yoga.

In a documentary called Naked in Ashes, which was directed and produced by Paula Fauce and Tim Kettle in 2005, Fauce shows the extreme life styles of some Yogi giris who lived in Northern India. In the documentary, audience witness the lifestyles of these nomadic yogis, who travel place to place, doing bizarre things such as walk in the nude, only wearing holy ashes, and do extreme activities such as standing and praying for for thirteen years, or meditating while holding one arm up for years (Paula, 2005). At times some of these yogis starve themselves (Paula, 2005). Some of the reasons why these Yogi Giris would do these kinds of things would be because they want to get a better sense of wholeness and their spirituality (Paula, 2005). Some other reason why some of these giris started these practice was because some or many have deserted their families, or their families have deserted them (Paula, 2005). Once they separated from their families they look for other Giris or Gurus to work with (Paula, 2005).

After watching some of these interesting practices that these yogis perform to get closer to g-d, one can draw some similarities to Dahn Yoga. Dahn Yoga uses similar practices for the advance members that are like these Yogis. One practice that stands out the most in both would be starvation. As Erdely has described, there were some instances where some of the advance member were almost on the edge of starvation as well (Erdely, 2010). Both required the practitioners to live together. Both have high risk forms of meditation for personal health; where the Yogis would pray with one arm up for years till it rots (Paula, 2005) in Dahn Yoga some of the practitioners would have to pray under water (Erdely, 2010). The only key difference between the two is that what the Yogis are doing is free, whereas Dahn yoga is not. Another differences is the motivation of both practices, with the Yoga Giris, it would seem like they wanted to get closer to g-d, whereas in Dahn yoga, what started out as a practice in which one can get into shape, it becomes a more of a spiritual oriented practices within its more advance classes. One should start questioning why do they use yoga, it would seem from the point of Erdely’s article people who do yoga are people who just want to work out, however, there are other reasons why people could use Yoga.

Reasons for Yoga

In conference a paper written by Theresa Schmidt called “Yoga: Exercise, Religion, and Transformation”, Schmidt writes about how Yoga has been on the rise since 2002 and in her paper, Schmidt explains how in other studies, people use yoga as a healthy holistic life style or as a spiritual guidance (Schmidt, 2004). According to Schmidt’s research, Yoga is not a religion but can be date back before Buddhism and Hinduism (Schmidt, 2004). She also mentions how Yoga is used amongst women more than men in America, and that could be because of its association to stress release and an exotic form of spirituality (Schmidt, 2004); with that in mind, perhaps the reason why people may choose Dahn Yoga could be the same. In Erdely’s article, she talks about how Amy first came to Dahn Yoga because she wanted to get into shape, only to get absorbed into their overwhelming theme of being some kind of spiritual guidance (Erdely, 2010). Some other people who have gone into yoga, within my own experience, have gone into to achieve that spiritual guidance instead of going to Dahn Yoga for physical health.

Conclusion

Is it a cult?

As discussed before, Dahn Yoga can be called a Cult under the definition that Richardson has given,

“…a cult is usually defined as a small informal group lacking a definite authority structure, somewhat spontaneous in its development (although often possessing a somewhat charismatic leader or group leaders), transitory, somewhat mystical and individualistically oriented, and deriving its inspiration and ideology from outside the predominant religious culture” (Richardson, 1993, p. 349)

However, under Richardson’s definition, a lot of other religions that is not Christian in America can also be called a cult. It would seem that Dahn Yoga is more of a New Religion that Upal explained. Some can even argue that Dahn Yoga is a type of yoga if yoga is defined as the same way as Natalie Mackenzie defines it in her Yoga article. She Defines Yoga as;

“Yoga is the epitome of mind over muscle: Holding those twisty balanced poses takes strength and flexibility, certainly, but even more critical is the ability to stay focused and concentrate. All types of yoga can help you learn this practice of "being in the moment." What's different from style to style is pace, intensity, and degree of spirituality. Use this guide to choose which of the most popular types of yoga best suits you.” (Mackenzie, 2011, p.32)

This definition of Yoga may go against what Erdely has said what she thought Yoga was, as this definition does not say that yoga need some kind of posture that would define it. In fact this definition goes very well with the idea of Dahn Yoga. One of the fundamentals of Dahn Yoga is based on the idea of being able to control your body so you can control your emotional state: “Jung Choong Ki Jang Shin Myung: From Health to Happiness to Peace. Through stabilizing your physical health, you will purify emotional energy, leaving a clear mind that will light up spiritual energy.” (http://www.dahnyoga.com/about_dahn_yoga/fundamentals, principal, 2010).

Own Perspective/is it Dangerous?

As I have tried Dahn Yoga for myself I do have my own perspective on this topic. I personally do not think that Dahn Yoga is dangerous, and feel as though like all other forms of practices, one must be able to be careful with that practice. I was not pressured when I joined a class at the Dahn Yoga, although the instructor would highly recommend on continuing, I never felt pressured in doing the sessions that followed. Although there were some superficial things that were going on during my time at Dahn yoga, such as the fact that I had to use some kind of “chi” reader before I perform the session, I still felt as though I was in a safe environment where I can learn new ways in which I can practice my spiritual needs. Perhaps the reason why I did not get the same feelings as Amy and Erdely, could be because a factor of reasons, one that seems more prominent to me is the idea that because this article was based on cases that had happened in 2007, Dahn Yoga may have tried to clean up their act, and therefore my experience was different from that of others. On the other hand, I can somewhat relate to Amy in Erdely’s article, when she describes how at first she came in to the studio for some kind of fitness training, only to be absorbed into the spiritual aspect of the practice later. I say that I can relate to her because, I came in to the Dahn Yoga studio with an open mind and was questioned by the instructor if I was doing this type of Yoga for fitness training, then like Amy I too got a little caught up in the spiritual aspect of the practice, however, I must say that my experience was much more positive than that of Amy’s.

I also feel that the fear that Erdely causes in her article was a little bias, as she uses a lot of bias language in her article. I do understand that Dahn has potential of being dangerous as there have been many reports of the leader of Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee, sexually harassing his female students, (Erdely, 2010). However, as part of the class I am in, the Theories of Yoga and Practice, I have also learned that many Yoga instructors have came to this path as well, where the instructor themselves become some kind of “rock star” in the yoga world. In our class we learned that there was a man who use to be part of a yoga video series in which he does Yoga with his family, only years later does he file a divorce and marries one of his students. This kind of information, though taboo, almost seems like a norm for most kinds of Yoga, and yet people do all kinds of yoga for all sorts of reasons.

Overall, I feel as though that like all practices of any kind of practice, either it be Martial Arts, or Yoga, one should be careful or yet mindful with whatever they do. I also feel as though as a person of Asian descent Dahn Yoga should be respected as a form of practices, but that could be my own bias, as I felt that there was a cultural insensitivity to Asian culture while I was reading Erdely’s article, because Erdely didn’t’ seem as though she understand what Yoga was. In the end, Dahn Yoga could be dangerous; however, it could be dangerous only if you allow it to be.

Bibliography

1. Dahn Yoga. (2010) Retrieved December 4, 2011 from http://www.dahnyoga.com/about_dahn_yoga/dahn_yoga_history

2. Erdely, Sabrina Rubin. (2010, Feb 18) The Yoga Cult. Rolling Stone. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.lesley.ezproxy.blackboard.com/ehost/detail?sid=eb83e1e8-cf9c-407e-8462-034f0844db85%40sessionmgr11&vid=2&hid=21&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=48118969

3. Kettle, T (producer) & Fauce, P (Director). (2005) Naked in Ashes [documentary]. India: Paradise Filmworks International

4. Lee Sung, O. (2007). A Time Like This Korean Church and The Privatization of Religion. International Congregational Journal, 6(2) 43-61

5. Mackenzie, N. (2011). The Right Toga For you. Prevention, 63 (10), 32-35

6. Richardson, J.T. (1993) DEFINITIONS OF CULT: FORM SOCIOLOGICAL-TECHNICAL TO POPULAR-NEGATIVE. Review Of Religious Research, 34(4) 348

Schmidt, T. (2004). Yoga: Excise, Religion and Transformation. Conference Papers – American Sociological Association, 1-22. doi:asa proceeding 25736.pdf

8. Upal, A.M. (2005). Towards a Cognitive Science of New Religious Movements. Journal of Cognition & Culture , 5(1/2), p214-239, 26p retrieved December 4, 2011 from http://web.ebscohost.com.lesley.ezproxy.blackboard.com/ehost/detail?sid=9e6e912d-9ec9-4dae-8bcd-fa00827570a2%40sessionmgr15&vid=3&hid=21&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=17228466