Clarion Call to Editors and Journalists Reporting on Yoga
In the name of balanced and fair reporting, there is a great need for editors and journalists to research and report on the spiritual focus of Yoga, not merely the physical, which is a minor, though useful part of authentic Yoga.
(PRWEB) June 7, 2005 -- The underlying presumption of almost all articles on
Yoga is the view that Yoga is a physical exercise program, stress management
method, or medical treatment. It seems that virtually none of the articles,
aside from specialty publications, focus on the more authentic truth that Yoga
is a means of spiritual awakening or realization. Articles are needed that first
address the spiritual perspective, and then mention the physical as a minor
alternative, complement, or preparation.
The codes of ethics of many
journalism associations and organizations stress the importance of fair
reporting, including avoiding distortions due to either emphasis or omission. It
is the emphasis of reporting on Yoga as a physical process, and the omission of
Yoga in its deeper, truer aspects that tend to make these articles ethically
questionable.
Two additional types of reporting are needed. One would be
articles describing the original and true nature of Yoga, which may not even
include most of the physical postures. The other would be articles on how it has
happened that Yoga has become so significantly distorted in recent years. To
report from these two perspectives would go a long way in balancing all of the
reporting that reflects the false premise that Yoga is about physical
fitness.
If you are an editor, journalist, or reporter, won’t you please
help to balance the reporting to the public about the true nature of Yoga. If
you can find people to interview about Yoga as physical fitness, then you can
also find people to interview about Yoga in its more authentic form.
The
article “Modern Yoga Versus Ancient Yoga” by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati provides
an overview that may serve as background information, or a starting point for
the journalist willing to further research and report on these topics. The
article is online at: http://www.swamij.com/ancientyoga.htm
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb247419.htm