Tomato/Tomoto, More the Same than Different!

Tomato/Tomoto. We've went back and forth for years but we all know that we're talking about the yummy red fruit. (Yes, a tomato is a fruit.) In the South, we kind of lean toward tomata. We also favor the, "Our way Is Best," philosophy. While we can be tolerant, you'd be hard pressed to change our minds. It's not that we're hard-headed. We're Passionate! I love living in the south. We truely are a passionate bunch of folks. If we like it, we're going to celebrate it. Chances are if we like to eat it, look at it, or dance to it, we'll have a festival for it. Just to name a few, there's the Gourd, Sweet Potato, Strawberry, Jazz In the Garden, Art By the Lake, and Great Texas Mosquito festivals. All glorious events to be held and attended with much pride and gusto. When we love it, we love it right-down-to-our-socks! If however we do not, you'll know it by our raised eyebrows, cold shoulders, and disparaging remarks.

A little more than a year ago I opened up a yoga studio in our beloved little southern town in Northeast Mississippi. As to the opinion of the members of our community, let me just say that the verdict is still out. I have the most wonderful group of students who are both loving and benefiting from their practice. They are a constant encouragement to me. I adore each and every one of them. Being in the "Bible Belt", there are still those that consider the practice of yoga a contradiction and a threat to their Christianity. I am reaching out to them through this article.

You may call it by another name but in many ways you are already practicing yoga in one form or another. For instance; If you believe in the Biblical law of sewing and reaping (Gal. 6:7), do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matt.7:12), or even Christ's teaching in Luke 6:27-36 "love your enemies, do good to them that hate you...", you are practicing a form of Karma Yoga. Karma yoga is the path of selfless action and service. If you attend a worship service or have personal daily devotions, you are practicing a form of Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti yoga is the spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to God. If you study spiritual text to gain insight, knowledge, and understanding for a better way of living you are practicing a form of Jnana Yoga. Jnana yoga is the quest for wisdom and truth through knowledge. If you practice Phil. 4:8, "Think on these things...", you practicing a form of Raja yoga. Raja yoga is meditation. If you practice meditation, you are in good company. King David writes much about his meditation practice. Jesus Christ himself practiced a morning prayerful meditation. In the Holy Bible meditation is more than a suggested practice it is taught as part of your daily devotion. What should you meditate on? Allow Phil. 4:8, to guide you. If you come to my studio, you will practice Hatha Yoga the physical postures and breathing techniques to help bring your body to a natural state of health. I believe that it is God's will for us to enjoy good healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

You see Yoga isn't a religion. You can however, apply it to enhance whatever religious faith you embrace. Occasionally someone, motivated by their concern for me, will send me a link to a website that is teaching that you can't be a practicing Christian and practice yoga. I say, if you are practicing Christ's teachings, you are practicing yoga in one form or another already.

You say Tomato I say Tomoto but we all know that we are talking about that yummy red fruit! We are really more the same than different. By-the-way, what do y'all think about a yoga festival?