By Kitti Papp
Volunteer and co-chair at Yom Limmud 2014
Rachel & Avraham say in their website: “The fusion between ‘Breslov’ Chasiduth and yoga knowledge brings up a very enlightening experience in the yoga classes....although sticking to the traditional Iyengar way of teaching there are numerous points of resemblance between the two worlds.”
In the studio they have separate classes for women and men (their ratio is 3:2), the students wear modest outfits and their yoga practice fully complies with their religious laws.
The original purpose of the physical practice of yoga – asana in Sanskrit - was to help the body to be able to sit still for long periods while studying the ancient scripts in India. The reason why we still practice yoga has not changed. We spend our days sitting still for long periods while driving, or sitting over our computers and suffer neck, shoulder and back pain as a consequence. Religious students can’t escape these problems either. Many testimonies on Rachel & Avraham’s website are raving how yoga helped them with their physical ailments due to long sitting.
Yoga doesn’t force a one-size spiritual practice on everyone: that’s up to the student in what he or she believes and how to connect with their Divine Power. Universal basic values of yoga, such as love, peace, non-violence, truth and righteousness are all within us and are not in conflict with any true religious practice.
Last year I attended a Kabbalah workshop in Tzfat and when we were learning the ancient breathing exercises that correspond to the four letters of the name of the Creator, I could not help but to associate it to the Pranayama practice I learnt in my yoga training.
In my own yoga teaching practice I try to blend the teaching of the weekly parsha (portion) into the actual practice: the stories about pride, jealousy, arrogance or compassion, humility, fortitude and forgiving have their meaning on the yoga mat as well.
At this year's Yom Limmud (15 June 2014) you can have a taste of some transcendental Jewish yoga from the multi-talented Sam Glaser. He is a musician (named as one of the Top 10 Jewish musicians in the US), performer, educator.... oh yes, and a yoga teacher. His devoted fans range from those in the Reform and Conservative movements to the Orthodox and Chassidim. He is a great entertainer for adults and children and involves his audience in his interactive performances.
He says:
“Torah is the wisdom and the way that has guided the Jewish people for thousands of years. Yoga is the ancient practice of using breath and movement to enlighten body, mind, heart and soul. Using Jewish wisdom from traditional and mystical texts and spiritual Jewish music and chants, participants emerge with a practice that allow for lifelong healthfulness and inspiration.”
If you have always been intrigued by this yoga thing but never had the courage to try because....you don’t have “that super flexible body”, well, this is the time! You don’t need a flexible body, all you need is an open mind....and a yoga mat! Time for Jewish yoga!
Jewish yoga is is just one of a variety of sessions on Israel, the Middle East, the Bible, the Holocaust and much more by international and local presenters that are designed to expand your mind - and body!
Experience diverse Jewish culture .... in a day!
For more information about Yom Limmud event in Sydney, June 15 2014, see the following link http://www.encounters.edu.au/Limmud/Home
Limmud is an all volunteer based event supported by The Shalom Institute - find out how you can also contribute http://www.encounters.edu.au/Limmud/Volunteer
Keep updated and follow Limmud Oz Sydney on Twitter, Facebook, or join us using the hashtag #YomLimmud2014.
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