Teaching Hatha Yoga - Faith and Yogic Lifestyle

Do we have faith in Yoga? If we invest time in dailyanyone can research any subject, without putting
Yoga practice, we have faith in it. Some of us mayhimself or herself at risk. Does this show a lack of
have moderate, to deep faith, in the universal conceptsfaith? Maybe, but it also allows an individual the time to
of Yoga. Yet, if there is any unethical or fanaticmentally and emotionally process ideas, without blindly
behavior, due to faith, that story will make front pagefollowing extremist dogma or false beliefs.
news.Imagine if people had taken the time to rationally listen
What does faith mean to you? To some, it may meanto extremist speakers of the past. Their shallow,
faith in God, faith in our religion, or a steadfast belief inintolerant, and racist messages would have been
something important to us. Some may say there is aignored. There is a good chance that some wars
lack of faith in religion or political ideas at this time. I begwould never have taken place.
to differ.If we look closely at Yoga, we steadily build our faith in
When you watch the news objectively, faith isthe practice - one day at a time. We see small
apparent in many of today's political and religiousmiracles in health improvement. Yoga teachers
movements. The headlines of newspapers are alwayswitness complete improvements in mental, physical,
covered with tales of fanatics and faith. Most popularspiritual, and emotional health - every day.
newspapers print sensational stories about people,For the young adult students, the Internet has given
who commit murder and crimes in the name of faith.them the best possible tool to observe styles and to
Faith can be a wonderful tool for finding one's self,carefully choose a direction. If one has an education,
participating in a great cause, or for finding a causeand chooses to listen to senseless dogma, that is his
that is out of control. Who is most vulnerable to beor her prerogative; but the Internet makes it possible to
swept up in fanatic movements or cults? Generallytake part in a Yoga class - knowing what to expect.
speaking, young adults are often at risk, as theyFaith need not be blind if one invests his or her time in
struggle to find their place in a hectic world.research and education.
Due to the many advancements in Internet technology,