Yoga is inarguably a Hindu tradition! Many of the asanas and moves in Yoga are in fact salutation to the Gods, one example being the Suryanamaskar!

Yoga has been developed eons ago with the sole objective to develop the mind as well body, along with spiritual development!

I don't think Yoga is Hindu.It is a good exercise practiced mostly by Hindus in earlier time.

I agree with abid that yoga is a physical exercise. It develop our mind, body.

I am not sure whether it can be called a Hindu practice! I would like to be enlightened in which religious text the word "HINDU" is used.

chinmoymukherjee wrote:
[quote]I am not sure whether it can be called a Hindu practice! I would like to be enlightened in which religious text the word "HINDU" is used.[/quote]

We have to use the meaning commonly understood and need not look for religious text in which the word 'Hindu' is used. The ancient religion followed in India, characterized by Yagna, idol worship, mantra recitation etc. is widely known as Hindu. Yoga is also an ancient practice of Hindus in this sense.

The word "Hindu' is not there in any ancient scripture. The term is derived from 'Sindu' river, also called Indus. 'Sindhu' became 'Hindu' in course of time. Thus the term 'Hindu' refers to people of India and not any religion. But the current perception is that this identifies the community performing Yagna or worshiping idols. Except, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, all are Hindus. Even Sikhs, Jains are considered as Hindu according to Indian constitution. The term 'Hindu' is used in Indian law in the sense of religious community.

The basic purpose of yoga was to achieve physical as well as mental disciplines and it is mainly associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Probably the reason why it is mainly associated with Hinduism.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga for more information on yoga!

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:
[quote]The basic purpose of yoga was to achieve physical as well as mental disciplines and it is mainly associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Probably the reason why it is mainly associated with Hinduism.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga for more information on yoga![/quote]

I have also explained that this is Hindu practice. Buddhism and Jainism also derived from Hinduism.

But chinmoy's query is as to in which religious text, the word 'Hindu' is used. I have replied that the term 'Hindu' is not in any text. This is just derived from the river 'Sindhu'. Even 'India' and "Indians' is derived from river 'Indus' or 'Sindhu'.

[quote]But chinmoy's query is as to in which religious text, the word 'Hindu' is used. I have replied that the term 'Hindu' is not in any text. This is just derived from the river 'Sindhu'. Even 'India' and "Indians' is derived from river 'Indus' or 'Sindhu'. [/quote]

RIght Gulshan, I was not commenting on that, but merely gave a link for more information! As to the Scriptures where Yoga is used and described, I am not aware!

Yoga is good for body and mind.So,it is good to practice it.I really don't have any idea from where it really originated from.

nagalakshmi.karunanidhi wrote:
[quote]Yoga is good for body and mind.So,it is good to practice it.I really don't have any idea from where it really originated from.[/quote]

Undoubtedly, Yoga is of Hindu origin. But this is not so relevant and those raising such issue in U.S.A. and elsewhere are very narrow minded. We use and adopt anything useful and good irrespective of origin. We use Homeopathic treatment in spite of German origin. We use cutlery in spite of European origin. We use English in spite of British origin. Dosa Idli are popular every where despite south Indian origin. Bhangra dance is liked by all despite its Punjabi origin and so on.

As long as Yoga is good for health and mind, no body should discard it only because of Hindu origin. In fact, everything ancient in India including History, ancient Sciences, medicines are all Hindu. The West will find in their own interest to use the good things of India including those of Hindu origin as we use everything useful irrespective of origin.