I’ve said in a previous post that there is some tension present in being an atheist and a yogi. I think it’s more to the point to say there is tension between being a skeptic and a yogi. While in general the teachers whose classes I frequent usually stick with pretty non-controversial claims about the benefits of yoga, every now and then I hear things that make me smirk and squirm a little inside. Stuff like this (not exact quotes):
- We’re going to have a relaxed class today because it’s near the new moon. Our energy levels are lowest during the new moon.
- Anything about chakras.
- Anything about Kundalini.
- Anything about Ayurveda.
- Claims that any of the above must be real and good because it’s been practiced for 1000′s of years.
I’ve tolerated this stuff for the most part, and have even gone along with it for the sake of experimentation. I have found that, in general, these things have not been core to the classes. The chakra talk I can deal with as being symbolic for different areas and characteristics of the body. No problem. Same with Kundalini. The alternative medicine stuff does set me a bit on edge though. Especially when I read about things like this: http://whatstheharm.net/ayurvedicmedicine.html. Maybe I’ll ask my teacher about that. Were all these people just doing it wrong?
I’m into the holistic aspect of yoga, and this is why it’s been the only exercise program I’ve stuck with regularly going on two years now. I’m not in it “just for the workout,” it’s also about the mental and emotional benefit as well. I’m all for the non-rational–I don’t have to reason everything out and understand how everything works in order to accept it. What I can’t accept is the irrational. What if some of these things being practiced as part of yoga can actually be harmful?
Ubiquitous Che
July 5, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I stopped attending group-zazen sessions for similar reasons.
Hmm… Could there be a niche avaliable for secular yoga or meditation groups?
Interesting thought, that.
Mikel
July 5, 2009 at 7:56 pm
A yoga studio that only includes the rational bits of yoga philosophy? And also has really good teachers?
That would be a nice find.
I have a feeling that most of the people dedicated enough to be really good teachers are very likely to be caught up in some of the woo…I could be wrong though.
Ubiquitous Che
July 5, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I get the feeling you’re right.
Yet if we think in terms of niche markets, if enough people want a service, then eventually someone will come along to deliver that service.
I suspect the demand isn’t high enough just yet – but I suspect that particular niche might just be a growing market.
billl
November 19, 2009 at 10:19 am
I have not been into yoga, but have been an atheist since a kid. Recently I learned the “Down Dog” pose as a recommendation by a colleague. I have plantar fasciitis and this pose and other techniques have helped spark my interest in yoga.
I’m hesitant to go to classes, particularly with the mysticism so prevalent in yoga. I do think some sports clubs that offer all sorts of classes (spinning) do not introduce mysticism in yoga. I would be wierded out the first time someone tells me to pray in a class. I’d wallk out!
Laura
September 16, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I’m currently in a yoga teachers certification program at my local community college. I found this post because I’m grappling with the god/lord side to yoga and according to some of my classmate I’m not the only one. So I’d say just give it a little more time and more of us atheist will be out there practicing and teaching.
nepeta
November 15, 2010 at 7:33 am
I’m atheist and yoga practitioner for lots of years. I used to avoid all the mystic side of yoga and do only asanas and connect to my breath. But I decided to become a yoga instructor and in the training I had to learn all the other stuff. I like lots of things of yoga philosophy and think most of it is very secular. I also see it as a very old tradition and respect it a lot when I think most of it was invented so long ago when people had almost none of the actual scientific knowledge, but at the same time I recognize that a part of yoga knowledge is outdated and should be revised why the knowledge we have now.
Nancy
November 25, 2010 at 3:13 am
I’m a scientist and a yogi. I was brought up Catholic, then became agnostic, then atheist after reading Richard Dawkin’s “The God Delusion”, and now back to agnostic. I was never very spiritual, not even while I attended church. Now that I’ve been doing yoga for almost a year, I finally understand the concept of “spirituality”. It’s interesting that Bill mentioned if someone asks them to pray, they’d walk out of the class. I was like that too during my strict atheist phase. But what if you’re not asked to pray to God? What if you just close your eyes and focused on your breath? Your mind would probably start fighting you, make all sort of comments, and do anything to distract you. It’s just the nature of the human brain. It’s really difficult for it to be at peace and be non-judgmental. Many people need to surrender to a higher being to feel at peace, but if you’re an atheist, it’s still helpful to just surrender… to the nature of the unsettling mind perhaps. That’s spirituality I think.
In terms of causing harm in irrational yoga teachings, I don’t know, there will always be people who are drawn to mysticism, whether it’s taught by yoga teachers or some other community. A good portion of society seems to tend to make up their conclusions based on weak inferences and stories that sound good. It’s human tendency. Education helps with critical thinking a bit but I’ve known people with science degrees who abandon the basic concept of “the scientific method” and fully embrace all, including the outdated, and even the disproved, aspects of alternative medicine. Perhaps more rational atheists/skeptics should take up teacher training and help spread rational messages, like Laura said.
dr logic
April 15, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Yoga originates in India, which has the oldest history of skepticism and atheism that has been found. Look up the Charvakas and the Lokayatas.
Yoga itself is an extension of Samkhya philosophy which is atheistic as there are no God, creator or ‘cosmic consciousness,’ just the impersonal interactions of energy and matter. Patanjali added the concept of ‘Ishvara’ which some people interpret as meaning a personal god, though this can also be translated as an individual’s highest potential.
So considering all this, I don’t see any contradiction in atheism and Yoga. Even many cultural Hindus consider themselves atheists and yet can participate in the same way as atheists in the west participate in Christmas. In terms of the philosophy of Samkhya, it is not a dogma and we are learning new things all the time through science and observations. We are constantly updating our knowledge, which is one of the benefits of not following a religion.
By the way, you DO yoga, you do not follow yoga.