Photolosophy - Yoga at Sunset

in photography •  8 years ago  (edited)

In recent years, yoga has become quite popular in Bulgaria, to the point that the church decided to condemn it as a para-religious doctrine that is harmful and contrary to Christian morality. This act was probably driven by the fear that yoga will somehow undermine the foundations of the church as an institution.

What I have discovered about yoga after visiting several classes and talking to friends that practice it actively, is that it has nothing to do with religion. Quite the opposite, yoga is a science about our inner and outer well-being, a tool that can help us achieve harmony between our bodies and souls.

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©Daniel Slavov | Fujifilm X-T1 & Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 @ f/4, 1/2400sec., ISO-200

The photo above is from the annual Blueberry Festival (hey @chrissymchavez) that takes place in the Balkan Mountains. The fest is focused primarily on social and environmental matters and gathers thousands of people from all over the country. Naturally, there were a few groups of people doing yoga and acro-yoga around the hut, so I wasn't surprised to find these guys on the top of a nearby hill. It was sunset, and they had just finished chanting the OM-mantra.

Yoga is very good for my back, but I have to admit that I do not practice it as often as I should. I just need to fit it into my routine.

Are you a yoga addict? Do you perhaps think that it's a religious practice?

Thank you for reading!

@irreverent-dan

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I'm so glad to find you here! I'm really interested in yoga .. So it will be nice to read your posts about it!

Hey @ligit and thanks for your comment! I might disappoint you because I don't do yoga that frequently :) What style of yoga do you practice?

Such a beautiful image Daniel. Makes you feel what it would be like to be there ~ In the open fields ~ Breathing in clean air ~ With like spirited friends.

Inspirational for anyone, like myself, wanting to find my way back to doing yoga again. A friend has just finished her Yoga Teacher Training course and I'm about to start her course next week.

Resteemed.

Thanks a ton, Ally! This is exciting news, are you going to keep us updated on the yoga course?

Sure will Daniel. Hadn't thought of it before, but might be nice to share an article about my Yoga teacher sometime. She's VERY special.

She's also a graphic artist and lovely photographer with a holistic outlook on life. Thinking now it would be lovely to write a feature story about her and include some of these other things she does. Will talk to her about it. Thanks for the inspiration.

Sorry for the late reply, Ally. You are very welcome :) Have you also thought about trying to get her on board with Steem?

That's OK. I'm always even later. 😊

Thinking about it and she may be interested. She doesn't have a lot of extra time (but then who does?) and I know how much Steemit loves time.

But I love the idea now of writing about her ~ And then maybe other friends. 🐋🍷🐋

Haha, I was just thinking an hour ago how time consuming Steemit is :) I find it more and more difficult to keep up with all that's happening in my feed.

I look forward to reading the post about her :)

Me too. SERIOUSLY thinking, I have to find ways to say the same thing with fewer words. 🐋🙏🐋

😁😁

Great post dear! I used to practice yoga back in days and loved it. Pranayama was my favourite part of it, after sessions I felt rejuvenated but now have no more time for it, running around like chook without head 😉

Thank you, Di! Pranayama is such an important aspect of yoga. According to my I brother's yoga teacher, breath practice and control is great for the overall health of the body. Sad to hear that you no longer have time to practice it :/

Great post! I'm also practicing yoga every once in a while and what helps me to become more consistent and make it part of my daily routine is the feeling of fulfillment and that connection with your body, mind and soul. Thank you for sharing! :)

Hey, Isabelle, interesting to learn what keeps you motivated :) Thanks for your comment!

Hey Dan, i see you implemented the #photolosophy tag. Great post as always, might also consider to pick up Yoga as a mindfulness practice :D

Thank you, man! It's a sloppy implementation, as I should have written a bit more about the tag. Nex time :) You should definitely give it a try :)

glad to see you are taking care of your body and spirit! keep going - its very motivating ;)

I am trying man! :)

I love yoga but I just can't seem to stay consistent. How do I work on consistency?

That's exactly what I wrote at the end of the post - I am having difficulties being consistent :) It's like every other thing though, once you start doing it regularly, then it becomes a solid habit in not time. Thanks for you comment!

I love the colors out of that Fujifilm X-T1. Excellent images @irreverent-dan and I'm sure Yoga is fine for any human, no matter what their faith. Thanks for sharing. Feel free to check out some of my photos if you are into photography. I'll certainly follow you to see more of your photos in the future.

Thanks a lot, @myday! The Fujifilm cameras are outstanding, and I can't recommend them high enough :) I will take a look at your blog now.

They certainly are! Thanks for taking a look!

Yoga is not just practice our body, it also practice our heart.

Absolutely! :)

haha how am i just now seeing this!? Love me some Balkan mountains!

Haha, I was waiting for you to discover it! :D

Need to do yoga. No time.

Why do you need to do yoga? :)

Nice picture, I'm following you now.

Thank you @mkdmrs! :)