Thread by @poonamdut

What are the biggest misconceptions about yoga?
#yoga

The major misleading idea is that Yoga was originally intended for improving and maintaining HEALTH.
It was not. The original aim of Yoga was to strengthen the body and perfect posture for the purpose of MEDITATION.
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Yoga sūtras are about psychology and the overcoming of existential suffering. They contain only two sūtras about āsana:
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2:46 sthira sukham āsanam |

sthira = steady; sukham = joy; āsanam = posture

The posture should be steady and comfortable.

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2:47 prayatna śaithilya-ananta samāpattibhyām |

prayatna = effort, tension; śaithilya = relaxation; ananta = endless; samāpattibhyām = coinciding with.

The posture should be characterised by relaxation of tension and meditation upon the Infinite.
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All the health benefits are secondary to the original formulation of the methodology.
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2. That Yoga can cure diseases like cancer, HIV, diabetes or a host of other medical conditions (no doubt some “yogis” will start adding corona virus to the list!).
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But Yoga can definitely improve your health through strengthening of the body, calming of the mind and through proper diet, sleep and relaxation can strengthen the immune system.
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