Yoga without prayers?

We went to the local Hindu temple to participate in the Diwali celebrations in October. While there, I saw a flyer about Pranayama classes being conducted in the old temple building every Tuesday and Saturday. I promptly called the contact number and was told that the session is already in progress for 3 weeks, and that it is an 8 week course. The instructor advised me to sign up for the next session starting in November. I agreed, asked him to add me to the roster and thanked him.

On the appointed date, I went to the first class in November. As it's a weekday evening, by the time I helped Usha partly to get the kids settled and left for the temple- I had just about time to reach the class on the hour. On top of that, I didn't know where the old temple bldg. is - so I went into the current temple and went to the back of it - thinking that's where it's got to be. However, I ran into a temple Board meeting and was promptly given the directions to the old temple building.

It turns out that that the bldg. where the priests' quarters are located housed the temple earlier - before my time in Albany. So, in all this going around - I was a few minutes late to the initial class and by the time I went in - they were already going through the intros. I later learned that I missed the starting prayers only.

There were 2 whites (americans) and 3 Indians apart from me in the class. Apparently it was a smaller than usual class size. The instructor, an Indian guy in my age group, is seated in Vajrasana on the elevated platform. He seemed very calm and has a low voice. He walked us through how to sit in Vajrasana, explained the significance of Aum (Om) and started us off with a few chantings of the primordial sound. He then led us through the basics of pranayama and a few rhythmic breathings. After some more lecture and guiding us, we said the ending prayers - 90 minutes later - and dispersed.

I didn't find the two white americans in the second class. We had 3 more Indians joining the class instead. So, we went through the introductions, basics one more time - and then learnt about Shavasana for relaxation. The instructor asked us to lie down on the floor, dimmed the lights and walked us through focusing on various parts of the body so we can make sure there's no tension in those parts and they are relaxed. Truth be told, after the first couple of parts, either due to the dimmed lights or due to his very low voice - coupled with a strenuous day which included some brisk aerobics in the gym (yeah - I started going to the gym as well recently and more on that later) - I didn't know when I dozed off. The instructor was next to me when I woke up - and he was giving me instructions to wake up, rub my palms and put them on my eyes - as the lights are bright and since I was waking up from rest. I just acted as if I am getting up from my pose and felt a little embarassed for actually dozing off all of 6 minutes. Well - the purpose of the pose was served, I felt, albeit in some other way.

We then went through some breathing exercises and said our session ending prayers and dispersed. When I went for the third class, I didn't see the americans still. I wonder if their absence has got to do with the chanting of prayers on either side of the session. The instructor, in the first class, even went to the extent of trying to explain the significance of the prayers (praising the teachers who are none but the Holy Trinity themselves; surrendering ourselves to the teachers so we are prepared to receive the knowledge etc. etc.) and also promised to send the exact meanings of all the prayers being chanted, via e-mail.

I read recently in the media that Malaysian leaders banned Yoga for Muslims - as the instruction contained Hindu hymns. After several weeks of imposing the ban and negotiations or protests (?) apparently they relented to let the yoga instruction continue, without the singing of the hymns. I wonder if my missing classmates find them offensive or not to their liking as well. Not sure what the reason is. I thought of discussing this aspect with the instructor, but decided against it - as all the attendees now are Indians and I barely arrive in the class on time - and have to leave immediately after the session ends - so as to make sure Usha is not left with the kids alone for too long.

Has any one observed similar incidents that turned the otherwise interested foreigners off? Do you think yoga and prayers should not be mixed; and yoga should be seen purely as a form of exercise? As for me - I am fine and even glad to have the prayers; but don't mind accommodating the non-prayer version if that would mean the foreigners would join as well. After all, I can still say my prayers silently.

May be I am judging the missing candidates unnecessarily - and may be they are not attending for some other reason. I don't know. Although I am not being able to practise what's covered in class on other days at home as much as the instructor wants us to - I would atleast like to go for all the 8 weeks to get into the habit slowly.

I will udpate you later - but would like to hear from you in the meanwhile.

Swasti !!