The more accurate statement is that Yoga can be a way of life if you choose to make it so. Just like a martial art can be a "way of life" (as in Karate-do - the way of Karate). But you can just practice your hour of Yoga a day, without any mumbo jumbo or assumptions about the ultimate aim of life and so on, just as you can practice Karate to get some exercise, or learning to fight, or to win a competition, or just have some fun. All are valid ways of approaching the "way".
And Vivekananda's works, while potentially interesting to someone who wants to understand Vivekananda's views, aren't, by any stretch of the imagination, the definitive books on what Yoga is and is not. Discussing what version of Yoga is the 'right' way and decrying other approaches is "inferior" or "just twisting" or whatever is reminiscent of the endless debates on the martial arts forums on what is the best style.
Or arguing about what "real" music is. with an implied 'those people over there aren't doing "proper" music' sneer.
fwiw I am Indian (not sure why that should be particularly relevant, but whatever) and a Yoga practitioner, of the "shut up and do the work and the ultimate aims will take care of themselves, meanwhile don't make pompous claims" school ;-)
The more accurate statement is that Yoga can be a way of life if you choose to make it so. Just like a martial art can be a "way of life" (as in Karate-do - the way of Karate). But you can just practice your hour of Yoga a day, without any mumbo jumbo or assumptions about the ultimate aim of life and so on, just as you can practice Karate to get some exercise, or learning to fight, or to win a competition, or just have some fun. All are valid ways of approaching the "way".
And Vivekananda's works, while potentially interesting to someone who wants to understand Vivekananda's views, aren't, by any stretch of the imagination, the definitive books on what Yoga is and is not. Discussing what version of Yoga is the 'right' way and decrying other approaches is "inferior" or "just twisting" or whatever is reminiscent of the endless debates on the martial arts forums on what is the best style.
Or arguing about what "real" music is. with an implied 'those people over there aren't doing "proper" music' sneer.
fwiw I am Indian (not sure why that should be particularly relevant, but whatever) and a Yoga practitioner, of the "shut up and do the work and the ultimate aims will take care of themselves, meanwhile don't make pompous claims" school ;-)