Surya Namaskar is out of the yoga drill to be held on International Yoga Day on June 21. After coming under pressure by minority groups, the Centre decided to drop the asana. But is there really a connection with religion and yoga? Experts don’t think so. In fact, for years several countries in the West have been encouraging yoga amongst its citizens and there are Fortune 500 companies, including Nike and Apple, which are offering on-site yoga classes as an “employee benefit”.
The irony, however, is India. Yoga is currently lost in the thickening mist of political debate. And perhaps politicians should avoid statements like this — “those against Surya Namaskar should go jump in the sea,” by BJP MP Yogi Adityanath. Surya Namaskar, by the name itself means salutations to the Sun. But, contrary to popular belief, the ancient form has absolutely nothing to do with Hinduism.
“Yoga itself is an independent form of exercise. Each one of us suffers from various ailments, irrespective of religion and caste. So why would cures be linked to religion? And that is just what yoga does. It cleanses the mind and body and it is devoid of religion,” says Kalari-yoga practitioner Vyshnavie Sainath.
But what are the other everyday problems practitioners and experts are facing? “The issue people could have is with the chanting,” says yoga therapist Padmaja Bandreddi. “While doing the Surya Namaskar, a few do chant and that is probably what many find religious,” she adds.
She, however, makes it clear: “Chanting is not about mantra, it is not a Hindu symbol, rather it is much more universal. The sound created during chanting improves the exhalation. But we have had many who don’t like to chant, so we don’t force them,” she explains.
Another myth here needs to be busted, believes Pratibha Agarwal, director and founder of Anahata Yoga. “Surya Namaskar is not praying to the Sun. It is just a form of exercise that people do while looking towards the sun. There is no intent of using religion here,” she says.
So how does one take yoga, a way to stay healthy, both in mind and body, to people beyond religion? Would rebranding the asanas make a difference? There are a few who believe so. “What’s in a name? If by changing a certain name of an asana it means that more people will take it up, so be it. After all, it’s being healthy that matters,” says Pratibha.
But then there are a few who disagree. “Yoga is not a commercial product to be rebranded. It’s a way of life and has absolutely nothing to do with religion. Think of it, when people in the West, of different religions take up yoga, what is the problem here?” asks Nimesha Bhagia, a yoga practitioner.
