yoga

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Yoga (Sanskrit योग), one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy. Mental concentration or physical positions and breathing exercises, but also asceticism, are meditative forms of yoga with different practices and philosophies, the foundations of which are summarized in the Upanishads (a collection of philosophical writings from Hinduism and the Veda around 700 BC).

Five ways of yoga are described, as well as three other systems:

• Raja yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Karma yoga
• Bhakti yoga
• Hatha yoga
  

• Mantra yoga
• Laya yoga
• Kundalini yoga

Yoga originally served as a spiritual path to enlightenment through meditation. Over time, the need to strengthen and mobilize the body arose in order to be able to remain in the lotus position for as long as possible. Hatha yoga takes up this aspect and incorporates techniques that use the body as an effective tool to achieve spiritual goals.

In the Gita (Bhagavad Gita – central script of Hinduism, bringing together different ways of thinking, around the 2nd to 5th centuries. BC) a conversation between Arjuna (one of the most important heroes in the Indian epic Mahabharata) and Krishna (Hindu form of the divine) is reproduced (chap. 6, 33 - 34), in which Arjuna says that the mind is difficult to tame be, similar to the wind. To this Krishna replies that one can discipline the mind through effort and renunciation. Arjuna replies what about those people who cannot control themselves, will they then be lost forever? Krishna comforts Arjuna by pointing out that reincarnation always gives him the chance to achieve samadhi (complete merging with a meditation object, achieving perfect being).

According to current understanding, yoga is intended to stimulate the life energy (Kundalini) through a combination of breathing techniques, movement sequences, posture, concentration points and mantras, as well as finger gestures, so that it rises to the chakras (energy centers) near the spine.

In addition to the yoga directions mentioned, there are also a number of variants and combinations, integrating systems: Kundalini yoga relies on awakening and directing the kundalini energy. Tibetan yoga takes a predominantly spiritual direction. Marma Yoga focuses on self-awareness. Tibetan dream yoga influences sleep through mental yogic exercises.

The health aspects of yoga exercises, such as positive effects on psyche and physical health, cannot be dismissed under appropriately qualified guidance. Stress is reduced through the calming and balancing effect of breathing exercises and meditations, but also reflection on one's own behavior, stress-induced illnesses are reduced, neck and back pain is alleviated and blood circulation is improved through activation of ligaments, muscles, especially the back muscles, tendons, and the Lymphatic flow promoted.

According to the Buddhist and Hindu roots of yoga and its variants, the goal of yoga is enlightenment (Moksha – To find redemption, liberation from the cycle of rebirths, as the last of the four goals of life).

What does the Bible say?

In a letter to the Colossians, Paul writes (Colossians 1:13-14): “13 He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.„

This means that people are assured that they will have salvation. There is no need for special exercises, physical or mental efforts, no rebirths, no other energies or illuminations.

Only through faith in Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, has man achieved justice through the forgiveness of all sins, past, present and future. Nothing more is needed. Jesus paid with his blood on the cross for each individual so that they would be considered righteous before God in his inexhaustible grace and love.