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Retreat Place Home > Retreats and Holidays in India >The Significance Of Yoga Within Indian Culture
The Significance Of Yoga Within Indian Culture
 
Yoga Within Indian Culture

The Significance Of Yoga Within Indian Culture

The art of practicing yoga holds a particular significance within Indian culture as a set of spiritual, physical, and mental exercises that hold its origins within the country. Forms of yoga date all the way back to the third century BCE primarily as a means of meditation, later expanding for usage in martial arts and integration within Yogacara Buddhism. Yoga is still heavily practiced by Buddhists in India, as well as by many other people of all religions throughout the entire world, as it has become a staple for many people's overall well-being.

There is no doubt that yoga provides many therapeutic effects on the human body outside of its more religious and spiritual purposes. Yoga can help to develop a great deal of physical flexibility and allow those that practice it the ability to simultaneously meditate and achieve calm and focused mental state. The people of India often practice it for all of these purposes, although Indian culture places a special focus on its beneficial spiritual properties that those outside of the country often disregard. In Western culture, the practice of Buddhism and Hinduism where yoga is seen as a spiritual tool is quite rare which of course contrasts greatly with India as these two religious faiths are far more widespread there? Yet, because of yoga's inherent ability to strengthen body and mind, its practice is known worldwide and is perhaps one aspect of Indian culture that is universally recognized, even though many may not be aware of yoga's origins.

While those in Western countries practice yoga relatively casually, for example as a simple part of their workout routine or as a means of relaxing after a hard day's work, it is taken much more seriously in Indian culture. Indians regularly gather together almost anywhere, from public parks to dedicated facilities, to perform yoga. The yoga practiced in India is also quite different from its form which is known elsewhere throughout the world, particularly because religious aspects--predominantly from Hinduism, as this is the Indian people's most commonly practiced faith--are an essential part of the activity. The fact that yoga is rooted directly in Indian religious faith systems is likely why it is so important to Indian culture. Regardless, it is certainly a positive aspect of that culture and those religions because of its many positive effects on the human body.

Yoga enthusiasts throughout the world often enjoy traveling to India simply because yoga is so important to the country's culture. There are so many places of interest for yoga enthusiasts to visit within the country, from the world famous Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore to some smaller but specialised and certified yoga academies such as Ajarya Yoga Academy, Himalayan Yoga Academy, etc. Hence, obtaining an Indian visa and making the trip to experience it all is absolutely worthwhile. Aside from the fact that India is the birthplace of yoga, it is also a very beautiful country to visit with many other rich cultural aspects that will make any vacation there an unforgettable one, especially for those coming from cultures that are very foreign in contrast.

Author�s Bio: Alice Jerusha writes regularly for Indian Visas

 
 
 

 
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