Yoga

Introduction

Yoga offers many wide-ranging techniques. It is excellent for reducing stress as deep relaxation is an important aspect of yoga, it also removes the build up of chemical wastes in the body that otherwise cause disease. Meditation and gentle exercise are a part of yoga, helping to realign body and mind. But this is not where yoga ends; it need not be a soft option. Yoga can give you a thorough workout that will leave you feeling revitalised. It can stretch and strengthen all your muscles helping your body to maximise its potential. Yoga calms and balances the nervous system. High blood pressure, heart problems, aching bones and stress related ailments can all be improved through the healing art of yoga.

Yoga is one of the oldest holistic healing systems in use today. Yoga offers multiple health benefits, yet the serious practitioner sees these benefits as the side effects of yoga, because yoga is primarily a spiritual practice. Yoga is a way to connect deeply with the divine forces that flow through and around you. It is a way to realign your spirit with the creator - the individual Ba (Soul) with the universal Ba. Dr Muata Ashby has resurrected the ancient Egyptian (Kemetic) art and science of yoga and brought it to the attention of Africans world-wide. Since 1994 Dr Ashby, who lives in Florida, has researched and written many books on the theory and practice of Egyptian yoga. Dr Ashby sees yoga as a way of linking back to the original source, a way of reconnecting with our essential nature. Yoga provides a way to apply the philosophy of our ancestors to everyday life. Egyptian yoga as with all things spiritual is definitely on the rise.

In the past yoga and it's benefits were seen as solely Indian. Dr Ashby's research clearly shows that yoga was practised in ancient Egypt as well as in India. Dr Ashby illustrates that many of the postures found in hatha yoga can be seen amongst the hieroglyphs on Egyptian temple walls. The word hatha means union of the sun and moon and is used to describe the physical postures in yoga. Hatha actually comes from the Egyptian Goddess Hathor, who wears both the sun disk and crescent moon on her head. She lends her name to the physical aspect of yoga. It is evident that many of the philosophical principles found in yoga are common to both Egypt and India. We must remember that our ancestors migrated all over the world. So we need not be surprised to see their influence the world over.

I have also done extensive research to unearth the relationship between ancient Egypt, India and the Yoruba tradition of West Africa. I found many connections, which I detail in my book, 'Opening to Spirit". What I found most interesting is that each culture has an in-depth understanding of the vital forces in nature. These forces are referred to as the elements - earth, water, fire and air. These elements are also subtle forces that have a profound effect on our health. Earth energy, which is dense affects our bones, water energy affects our blood and immune system. Stress is often created through our fiery emotions and air energy effects: the function of our heart and lungs. This ancient science forms the basis of most complimentary approaches to healing. We can affect all these energies through the chakra system which is an aspect of yoga that uses meditation and psychology as well as physical exercise to heal and maintain health.

Complimentary approaches to healing arc growing in popularity. as people become dissatisfied with western medicine and its limited worldview. Thanks to the rigorous work of such scholars as Cheik Anta Diop, Ivan Van Sertima, and other great educators, we have developed an African historical and theoretical worldview. I belief we are now searching for practical ways to express ourselves and enhance our health and well-being as Africans. Egyptian yoga holds the Ankh - the key to life.

"Yoga offers multiple health benefits, yet the serious practitioner sees these benefits as the side effects of yoga, because yoga is primarily a spiritual practice."

During the class we moved gracefully through a series of postures, each move is co-ordinated with the breath. We were asked to focus our attention on the flow of energy at all times. We gave salutations to Ra. We knelt in the pose of immortality and we relaxed deeply in the pose of the mummy. We stretched, cleansed and strengthened our body temples. We enhanced our shekem, the life-force that flows through us and we gave thanks to our creator, just as our ancestors did before us. Yirser was so enthused that he didn't want to leave. After some members of the class left for work, yes this was taking place in the early morning, the rest of us continued to stretch and flow, watching Yirser as he moved with the grace of a cat.

Yoga is a way of living. It is a lifestyle that is part of our spiritual inheritance. Our ancestors have left us powerful tools that are now being recognised. These tools can be applied to many diverse situations. These life skills can enhance our well-being and improve the overall quality of who we are and how we live. Egyptian yoga may not be practised in Egypt today, but it is truly resurrected, alive and growing in the African Diaspora.(Wholestic Living, Egyptian Yoga, Shola Arewa)