The Fourth of July reminds us all of the momentous birth, and evolution, of the United States of America. We celebrate with fireworks, barbecues, and American flags hung high with pride. It should also be a time where we show respect, and gratitude, to those who came before us paving the way for generations to come. An awe-inspiring moment in history, the Fourth of July should always act as a reminder to us all of the power of freedom, and opportunity.
Deemed the “land of opportunity,” by those who emigrated to America, it is only natural that as our country grew, so to would the development of new concepts, introduction of new practices, and influence from outside nations. While it may not be common knowledge, the concept, and practice, of yoga was introduced to the United States just over 100 years after the Declaration of Independence
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With a deep connection to nature, Henry David Thoreau author, philosopher, and poet, was sometimes described as a bit of a recluse. In his time spent in solitude at Walden Pond in 1847 he found peace in the quiet. Huffington Post reports, “he didn't do yoga poses, but his embrace of meditation, which would have been very odd in his day, is impressive.”
The Power Of Speech
“Yoga Pioneers,” as Yoga Journal calls them, are those responsible for first introducing yoga—and subsequently making yoga what it is today in America. One of the pioneers Yoga Journal refers to is Swami Vivekananda, of India. Swami Vivekananda had the opportunity to speak before the World Parliament of Religions—despite not being invited to do so—and, as Huffington Post puts it, he “stole the show.” His presentation left quite an impression, and “soon after he became a sought-after guru to Americans eager to learn about the yama and niyamas, pranayama and Kundalini,” according to Huffington Post.
The Early
With so many religions and the world getting smaller every day, intricacies of a religion can easily be lost and with the taboo of discussing religion and politics in public, often times, these religions only come up when they are under fire. This holds true for Islam more than any other. To the outsider, Muslim traditions can seem strange, such as the call to prayer, but to the billion practitioners worldwide, it’s an invitation to accept Allah as God and Muhammad as his messenger (Prayer). Other, mainly Eastern religions, lose some of their potency in translation to the West. Practices like yoga in the Western world are mainly seen as exercise and a way to unwind but to religious practitioners, yoga literally means “to yoke” life, divinity and reality. The contemplative nature of the practice is lost on the West (Philosophical Hinduism).
Yoga has been practiced over the years and continues to expand. Many are looking into practicing yoga, though it seems like the history of yoga has been forgotten. That is why I think it important for others to be informed about the history and its discipline of yoga. Being familiar with modern yoga, benefits that yoga brings and how it reduces stress is another way that will help others have a better sense and understanding of yoga. Therefore, readers that are informed of the history, studies in religion, anthropology and the disciplines of yoga will enhance a better understanding. Which I believe it is a great way for readers to gain knowledge and be informed of what yoga brings out. After being informed perhaps experiencing yoga for the first time, might also help on what yoga does to the body and
Today most people think of the Fourth of July as a holiday to celebrate freedom. However, in
When most Americans hear the word 'yoga', they think of a petite girl in a ponytail and leggings, carrying her purple yoga mat. This image has become so completely part of the culture of American yoga that the general response when suggesting yoga as a training method is either "That's for girls," or "But I'm not flexible." These responses were generated by an overall ignorance regarding yoga as a practice. Imagine, for a moment, a very large and muscular man with the soles of his feet together on the ground in butterfly pose. Now imagine that one man in a large room with twenty men much like him in the same yoga position. A scene like this is the new normal;
Yoga is an ancient Hindu spiritual meditation practice that some believe dates back to 3300 BCE, during the Indus Valley Civilization. Modern wellness practices use yoga as part of a cardio routine and as a therapy to alleviate health disorders such as
In America we celebrate the Fourth of July as National holiday where we have pool parties, cookouts, fireworks, and enjoy family time. But why are we exactly celebrating this day on the July fourth every year? July 4th is also known as Independence Day to acknowledge the fact on July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation (Constitution Facts). However, Frederick Douglass point of view on the Fourth of July in his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” is different and he shamed America for celebrating this as a holiday. Frederick Douglass is an abolitionist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer in the nineteenth
The United States of America is a country that is based off of the exploitation and destruction of those who are unequipped to fight back. Although as a culture diversity and freedom are celebrated and a staple of what makes America ‘the greatest country in the world,’ our society is, and always has been, in a constant battle of inequality and injustice. With uncertainty and the struggles of everyday life, American search for coping mechanisms. The introduction of eastern religion served exactly that purpose and lead to the boom of the western therapeutic culture starting in the 1950s with the emergence of humanistic psychology. Today, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga have detached themselves away from their original purpose in eastern
Almost fitness and gym center offers a class in yoga, this workout performs a series of flexibility and strenght- building poses. Yoga is more than just an exercise, it is also a spiritual discipline with a long history. It is originated in India and spread in western world as an exercise practice that links to our mind, body and breath. But do you aware of the realness and rawness on the art of yoga? Many yogis doesn't know about this, they just do it for the sake of healthy living. It is important for us to have knowledge in the art of yoga to embrace and embodied the teaching and doing the art of
Yoga and Paris: two obvious, extremely contrasting topics that unpredictably attain similarities. Society has this view of the American Dream and for many in today’s generation it involves participating and devoting time into activities like yoga and exploring exotic places like Paris. Yoga and Paris have developed a heavy role in society as they perfectly frame society’s development over time. Yoga represents the newest trend and evolution of human interest and Paris captures the older, vintage values of people. Because they together portray society’s evolution, they both depict the image of a way to a healthy lifestyle and embed connection within people.
First, I will give a brief overview of the history of yoga and explain what it is. The word “yoga” means to unite or connect. It is a spiritual practice and system of discipline that originated in India approximately five thousand years ago. Although it is most commonly tied to the religion
Those who grew up in the USA usually have fond memories of the 4th of July, a day when Americans celebrate the creation of their nation with barbeques, picnics, and fireworks. This is just one of the many ways in which Americans express pride in their country. Any street in the US might have half a dozen houses gladly flying the American colors.
After Vivekananda, there is a popularization of Yoga in the U.S., as a result of the additional work of several masters who came from India, and Americans. Rama Tirtha, Yogendra Mastamani, Ramacharaka, Selvarajan Yesusian, B.K.S. Iyengar and Krisnamacharya, are among those who come from india; Richard Hittleman, and Paul Brunton are examples of Americans who sympathizes with yoga and work to make it popular in this the U.S. (Feuerstein, 2006).
4th of July. A day that has history for us Americans. This is the day that the thirteen colonies gained independence from England in 1776. Becoming a national holiday called Independence Day, it is now widely celebrated across the country. Celebrated with red, white, and blue. Celebrated with parades covering the streets. Celebrated with the one explosive necessity to make the holiday PERFECT. What would this necessity be? Fireworks, of course! They are a large part of not only Independence day, but many other holidays around the world. Today we will launch into the origins of fireworks, then we will soar through the mechanics of fireworks, and finally, explode into the use of fireworks around the world today.
Thesis Statement: I want my audience to be informed about what yoga is, its history, and why it has become so popular in recent years.
“Derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to yoke, join or attach, ’yoga’ can most broadly be thought of as any practice aimed at helping facilitate a union between the limited self and the Divine, or Ultimate Being” (Heerman, 6). For thousands of years the practice of yoga has been used to connect one’s mind, body and soul. We as humans live in a time where it is easy to become detached to our bodies, minds, and spirituality to the world around us. Yoga is a metaphysical practice this is infamous for connecting people to the unexplainable and magical side to life. Realization is a major component to yoga in the sense that people are always looking for self-worth, happiness, inner peace and acceptance. With yoga’s abilities to connect one thing to another, it is valuable to realize that everything humans need for fulfillment comes from within. We are caught up in unimportant matters rather than being in action and aware. It is hard for us to imagine a circumstance of complete calmness and repose in which thoughts and feelings cease to dance in eternal motion. Yet it is through such tranquil circumstance that it is impossible to achieve a level of enlightenment. “Tranquility of thought comes through the cultivation of friendship, compassion, joy, and impartiality in spheres of pleasure or pain, virtue or vice” (Miller, 38). Yoga is a simple process of reversing the ordinary outward flow of energy and consciousness, but it requires Meditation in order to practice. In this