So, as part of my Ashtanga Yoga certification I was asked to write about numerous things and one of the questions was What is Yoga? I didn't feel like intellectualizing my answer and instead I decided to let my mind and fingers run loose and this is what came out. I find it funny, hope you find it too.
And, yes, I know I haven't shared much in a while, I will share, when I am ready to :)
WHAT IS YOGA?
In my opinion, Yoga is seen here in the west as a physical practice that can be gentle or more active depending on the style and that a lot of people have come to appreciate for its stress-releasing benefits, especially when united to meditation and other relaxing methods.
People understand that Yoga comes from India and that it is more than Asana (Physical) practice, yet, people choose to take mostly the asana practice and get “fit” through it. Sometimes, people often discover the other side of yoga once they start practicing it but it is not always the case.
Everybody does yoga in one way or another here in the west. Expecting mothers do pre-natal Yoga, the more physically fit do Power Yoga, the stressed out worker does Yin Yoga, there is Yoga Fit, Hot Yoga, Naked Yoga, Yoga Chocolat, Oh my! There is yoga everywhere and for everyone. Is this a good thing, maybe! Is this a bad thing? It all depends. If the practice of any type of Yoga leads to the path of understanding and enlightening in any shape or form, then it should be a good thing. If the practice of Yoga leads to injury, reckless physical practice and non-reversible damage being mental, physical or collective within a community, then we are talking more serious business. And yes, Yoga has become the business of the west. Countless Yoga studios opening in every city, even small ones, Yoga teachers are being certified every year, actually every month if not, everyday! And someone is making money out of it! Is that Yoga? Looks like it is. And don’t take me wrong, I don’t see anything wrong with it, I am not here to judge, I will leave the judging to those who don’t practice yoga.
I have this idea that after many westerners travelled to India to immerse in the art of Yoga and became enlightened and in love with this arts and their teachers, they thought that the message could be carried along and that they could help others achieve what they have achieved with their practice. I am almost sure that none of them thought what it could become, one of the biggest industries in the (fitness) world of today. And of course, we all know that, not all teachers are the same (Thank goodness for that!)
Yoga is seen by some as unattainable postures that only the flexible ones can do, others see yoga as the perfect way to get flexible and get fit. To others Yoga is the perfect time to meet and mingle with friends and get some “me” time. Yoga has become even a look, a style, a fashion statement. For the more “serious” adepts, Yoga is “the practice”, their ritual, and with no doubt I can say that we have all tried Yoga, whether we have stayed in the practice or not, we have all tried one form or another of “Yoga”. I personally love Yoga Nidra, fun stuff, lie down, listen to the words and fall sleep... oh wait! That’s not what Yoga Nidra was supposed to be about, right?...
Yoga has been vandalized, turned into a serious business. Series of postures and sequences have been registered and/or trademarked. Styles have been named and renamed, all with distinctive benefits, Gurus and an immense mass of followers, even a sex scandal!!!. To the Anusara practitioners, Ashtanga Yogis are rude. To the Bikram practitioners, Hot-Yoga stole their Yoga. To Kundalini Yogis, those who wear black are mental. And do not dare to step foot in a level 2-3 Moksha class filled with dancers, your half-assed attempt to split will be frowned upon, yes I am kidding, and no, I am not.
I think that Yoga could be a vessel to world peace, if only we can accept that as human beings we have the choice. The choice to “choose” our Yoga whatever that means. Even if my Yoga means being respectful, kind and loving towards another human being. Even if my Yoga is just a couple of postures a day and even if someone else’s yoga is being on headstand for hours! Compassion and acceptance, that’s Yoga for me!
Yoga in my world is more than a physical practice, is the way I carry myself, is the way I live my life and the way I do what I do. Through Yoga I have learn that there are no obstacles that you can’t overcome. Patience and perseverance is the key that will open all doors.
I like Ashtanga Yoga. In a quest for finding the roots of the Yoga style that inspired my Budokon practice I found Ashtanga. Little I knew what I was getting into! I find the practice kind and receptive despite the killer postures in the primary series. I have come to love Pranayama and Meditation and they have become part of my daily life, even more than Asana. My life has been changed through the practice. I have become more malleable and open in my heart and mind and through the practice I have overcome some serious obstacles and my health has improved tremendously.
I am grateful for Yoga, whatever Yoga is. And let me share the thought of someone I love dearly, she signs her correspondence with the phrase: “If everyone did Yoga, there would be world peace”. And I couldn’t agree more!
Namaste
