Thursday, 27 November 2008 08:54

The National Fatwa Council in Malaysia has ruled that yoga is "haram" for Muslims and so does the Indonesian council are in the process to investigate this matters. I won't discuss this, if you don't fit with it, well.. don't do it, as simple as that. Skip the following paragraph if you decided to stay on your current spirituality achievement

Yoga means unity, between body, mind, soul, and finally with the Supreme, God. Although I don't have the capability to teach Yoga, I'll try to share with you what is Yoga in the simplest form that won't get you the trouble to ask your faith/religion leader. Let's just skip the teaching that includes some Hindu's tradition just to make it more universal, so anyone can practice it out of suspicion.

The famous part of yoga are Asanas, and maybe some simple Pranayamas. Asanas are physical postures exercise for your body, and Pranayamas are breath control exercise for improve your ability to control the life force (prana). Even though there are 6 more parts that together they are known as "Ashtanga Yoga" but common practitioner outside Hindus practice these only two.

Start from two days ago until today, every evening I've been attending short course of Yoga guided by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In facts, those was the first time I meet personally with Yoga Mahaguru from India for so long I've been learning from books and friends that are not officially a Guru.
I'm very grateful to have this opportunity. The first day before I took off from my office in Pacung, about 60 Kilometers from the event location in Denpasar, it's looks like going to rain. Thick cloud was hanging and added by the cold fog.. brrr.. I was thinking I'm not gonna make it with motorcycle, so I prayed to God: "If I am destined to meet this Guru please don't let it rain." And I'm blessed, the clouds were just staying like that and by the time I get back the rain has passed me and so do the next day and hopefully today.

Back to the topic, what is simple Yoga I want to share here? First, take a good care of your body, it's a part of Asanas. Rub every inch of them when you are taking shower, massage it gently, realise its tired muscles and appreciate it by taking more attention to it. And of course eat a good food to nourish your body.

Second, realize your breath without controlling it, feel it coming in bring all the goodness and coming out throw all the negativity away. In meditation, inhale and exhale as slow as you can but keep the conscious of your breath. Sometimes in this busy material world we forget how to breath slowly. That is simple Pranayamas.

That's it? Yes. That's why it is called simple.. and no faith/religion can banned this activities. How can you survive if breathing is banned?