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By Johanna M. Sampan, Reporter
Donning saffron robes, they chant, perform their asanas (postures)
and participate in humanitarian missions. They are missionary yogis,
a new breed of yoga practitioners whose dedication to mystical
practices were infused with social advocacy.
Yoga, which literally means “union” in
Sanskrit, is an ancient Hindu spiritual practice that originated in
India 5,000 years ago.
In modern times, yoga’s gained popularity as a
discipline that benefits both the body and the mind. Within its
scope are physical exercises, meditation techniques and alternative
healing methods.
In the Philippines, the oldest and most
prominent yoga organization is the Ánanda Márga Pracáraka Samgha
(AMPS or Society for the Promotion of the Path of Bliss) or simply
known as Ánanda Márga.
Ánanda Márga is a socio-spiritual organization
founded in India by the late Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar in 1955. Through
the discipline of yoga, the organization teaches morality,
meditation, wellness, vegetarianism, social service, neo humanism
and organic agriculture. The followers call the founder Shrii Shrii
Ánandamurti or “Bábá” which means “father.”
“We ought to love animate and inanimate things
because all of these are manifestations from above,” explains Didi
Karunamayii, an Ánanda Márga officer on the gist of their
spiritual belief.
Today, practitioners of yoga can be found across
the world. They include Catholic priests and nuns in the
Philippines, Christian fundamentalist pastors in the US and devout
yet progressive Muslims in Malaysia.
However, there are those who have a different
opinion. Eric Pelea, an evangelical Christian pastor expresses his
stand on the issue of Christians practicing yoga, “As Christians
we should not enter into yoga practice because it’s an eastern
mystical discipline and its rituals are tied up to its own brand of
spirituality.” Pelea opines that there is really no line dividing
the mystical and physical practices of yoga as some of its
proponents suggest.
On November 22, Islamic leaders in Malaysia
issued Fatwa—a religious opinion on Islamic law—against yoga.
Malaysian Muslims were forbidden to practice yoga by the National
Fatwa Council for fear that they could digress from the teachings of
Islam. Many Muslim practitioners and teachers of yoga have
contradicted the ruling attesting that they practice only yoga’s
physical fitness regimen and not its spiritual component.
In response to criticisms, Didi Karunamayii
explains, “Yoga is a way of life and it doesn’t imply any
religion because it’s for improving spiritual life. It mostly
touches internal aspects in our lives. It’s an exercise just like
aerobics and tai chi. We don’t have specific religion because we
are universal. Other religions have their own reasons and we respect
that.”
Proving that yoga is more than a mere popular
culture phenomenon, Ánanda Márga also extends assistance to the
victims of calamities as well as indigent Filipinos. To date, about
80 elementary students in Barangay Panganiban, Camarines Norte,
Bicol have benefited from scholarships, food and school supplies
from the organization.
The organization is set to build the Ánanda Márga
Special Academic Institution in Barangay Santa Barbara Zaragoza in
Nueva Ecija. Ánanda Márga envisions it to be a school, wellness
center and herbal organic farm in the service of the surrounding
communities.
Ánanda Márga recently held a yoga fair at the
Meditation Park in Quezon City Memorial Circle that aims to create
greater health awareness and service consciousness to all. The
events featured vegetarian cooking demonstration, wellness lectures,
yoga exhibitions, workshops and was concluded with a concert.
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