Flying

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to be able to fly by yoga? I have some friends that belive it is

possible. Is it?

[Guest guest]

Hmmm...<br>Well perhaps it depends on what you

mean by fly. (or what you mean by possible) People fly

in dreams. I hope you're not talking about "yogic

flying" as advertised by the TM people. This is bogus and

is just a bunch of guys who have become practiced at

hopping around in lotus. Now if you really mean flying,

well that would be pretty miraculous, eh? There are

all kinds of stories of saints and great gurus and

yogis having all kinds of miraculous powers including

appearing in more than one place at the same time. In yoga

these are called siddhis or powers. The usual advice is

don't be concerned with it, such powers come when they

come. Which makes sense to me, why be concerned with

flying if I haven't mastered the ability to walk

properly or to jump like a monkey or just live a decent

life. One of the cool things about Ashtanga yoga is the

emphasis on down-to-earth asana practice. Now if a human

could fly, wouldn't they then be kind of superhuman,

and wouldn't it then be kind of beyond our

comprehension anyway? There is much "magic" in the world but by

its very definition, it is beyond what "science"

understands. Sure I believe in yogic superpowers, and I could

be wrong, but it really makes no difference, just

isn't of any concern, especially when I have so many

"real" concerns. I used to be obsessed with such things,

now I'm obsessed with straightening out my own spine

and learning to behave. Hey I'm no authority on

anything, I just answered because it was fun today and

because I didn't think you'd be getting another serious

answer. Maybe someone else can say more about siddhis,

which I think are actually discussed in some yogic

scriptures. Well, I've gotta fly..........

[Guest guest]

Just to add to TL's excellent answer,

supernatural powers play a big role in the very entertaining

and interesting book "Autobiography of a Yogi". A

friend of mine once described it as having "a miracle on

every page".<br><br>Although I've heard persuasive

explanations of how such things would be possible, I've never

actually seen anybody fly. As TL indicates, the

authorities suggest that such powers can be acquired, but

that it is not good to focus on or be concerned with

them.