The Thammasat University Library has acquired books that should be useful for TU students who are interested in the study of philosophy, mythology, religion, and history. They are about the significant physical, mental, and spiritual practice of yoga. They were generously donated by the Embassy of India in the Kingdom of Thailand, located in Thawi Watthana, Bangkok and are shelved at the India Corner on the U1 level of the Pridi Banomyong Library, Tha Prachan campus.

As all Thais know, yoga is one of the schools of Hindu philosophical traditions, with different approaches in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Yoga is thought to have been first developed around 2500 years ago in India. Yet only since the 1980s has yoga become widely popular in the Western world as a form of exercise. In 2016, yoga was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage.

The adjective tangible refers to something that can be touched. It derives from a Latin term meaning to touch. The adjective intangible means something that cannot be touched. If something has no physical presence, then it may be called intangible. An intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is a practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill that is considered  part of cultural heritage. Usually when we thing of culture, we think of monuments and objects that might be seen in museums. Yet there are also traditions passed along from generation to generation. Yoga is one of these.

Among the books now available at the India Corner of the Pridi Banomyong Library are Light on Yoga; Yoga for Daily Life; Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-healing and Self-realization; Complete Book of Yoga; and Yoga & Pilates for Everyone: a Complete Sourcebook of Yoga and Pilates Exercises to Tone and Strengthen the Body. One of the most interesting of the newly donated books is The Great Indian Yoga Masters: Tracing 2500 Years of Yoga, 500 BCE to 21st Century.

This study is written by Birad Rajaram Yajnik, a lecturer, author and curator from India. In the preface to The Great Indian Yoga Masters, he writes:

The journey of my life has been influenced by two factors: visual aspects of life and change. Although born in a Hindu Brahmin family of priests (Yajnik comes from yagna-kari, one who performs ‘Yagnas; or fire worship), a family that has a rigid code of conduct and rituals, it is also a family that has practiced change, a family that has broken the boundaries of caste, community and region through generations. Breaking the mould of arranged marriage within a region to exploring arranged marriages across regions, integrating multiple languages and cultures from around India and the world are only some of the facets of experiencing change.

Personally observing yoga over the last three years, from the islands of Ko phang to the streets of New York, Los Angeles and Frankfurt, meeting people from every continent and hearing them speak about their passion for yoga made me search deep within myself. The rendition of the Gayatri mantra and OM brought back memories of my childhood when, at the age of seven, my brothers and I would chant these mantras before going to bed. The Padmasana reminded me of the seating pose for lunch during festivals. For me it was the reawakening of fundamental principles that were spoken to us and woven in the epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata throughout our childhood.

The other aspect that I realised was that although the inception of yoga may have deep roots in Hindu mythology and religion, it does not in any way propagate the Hindu religion, it is almost an SOP – standard operation procedure for life. It is a way of life, a rule book for mankind. For me, this book is a start to exploring more on this ancient artform and presenting it to the world.

Thailand and Yoga

Yoga has a very strong presence in the Kingdom. Each year, a Yoga Charity Event is held at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok to support the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Abuse Centre (ATCC) in Chon Buri Province. Organized in collaboration with Cascade Club, Trika Yog– Healing to Nature Yoga Institute and Les Milles, classes are led by Anorma “Meji” Sarunsikarin, Sathik “Coach Peng” Thanaruk, and Sumet Kanching, an expert in anti-ageing and regenerative medicine.

Yoga can benefit people in all walks of life. As The Nation reported last year, female prisoners learned at yoga classes at Klong Prem Central Prison, a maximum security prison in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand. The lessons are sponsored by Krungthai Card (KTC) for inspirational purposes. To better prepare inmates to adapt to life outside prison, yoga is offered to add to their physical and emotional health. Tanawat Ketvimut of Jivita Sikkha the Network for Life Learning and Understanding is the instructor. Some prisoners are also trained to become yoga teachers. Yoga practitioners from Ratchaburi and Udon Thani prisons participated in the 2015 Asian Yoga Sports Championships in Bangkok, placing third with two silver medals, four bronzes and 12 consolation prizes.

The Glamor of Yoga

In Thailand, yoga is also used by entertainment personalities, such as the actress Acharapan “Auntie Ji” Paiboonsuwan to retain fitness and beauty. Auntie Ji opened a yoga studio, Yoga & Me, at Crystal Design Centre (CDC). Now there are different branches around Bangkok. Lullaby Yoga features Senior Yoga classes for participants over 55 years of age. Another leading studio is Yogatique Bangkok on Sukhumvit Soi 23, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok. Its website explains:

Yoga isn’t about competition or touching your toes. It’s a mind/body discipline, truly accessible to all.

Among the instructors is Khun Fon, who notes:

From the business director of a big public relations agency, I decided to change my life and career and become Yoga teacher. I’ve never looked back. I have chosen to serve, love and share my yoga knowledge with my students. It is my goal to help them deepened their health and inner peace through Sivananda Yoga.

Another teacher, Khun Minh, observes:

To me, yoga is a magic. It helps me to stay present and focus, neither with the past nor with the future.  The more I practice the more I love yoga. 

Khun Daranee states:

I was originally from the North East of Thailand and have lived in Bangkok since I was 14 to study and work. I believe the Yoga practice is the key to grounding us in a wholesome and accepting mindset. Yoga offers us a way to deal with the pressures and uncertainties of everyday life… I love teaching mindfulness and compassion through yoga as these are at the core of my yoga and meditation practice. I believe this practice gives students an opportunity to process their life experiences and integrate their formal practice on the mat into everyday life at home and in the workplace. Ultimately, my goal is to share my devotion to the yogic life with my students with the hope that they too can realize the serenity possible through commitment to and appreciation of yoga as a life style and journey.

Scientific pursuits

While scientific studies have had varied results about the benefits of yoga, such disciplines as yoga nidra, or yogic sleep, have won adherents among those seeking physical and mental relaxation while improving consciousness and awareness. TU students of computer science will know about the Lenovo Yoga series of laptops and ultrabooks, so named because they are flexible. 

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)