Although the core purpose behind yoga has always been the being-transformation, but how it is practiced has inevitably changed over time. How yoga is being practiced today is quite different from how it was being practiced a century ago, let alone in ancient times and during the time of its origin. Like any other process, yoga too has evolved with time and in the due course, new things have been discovered as well.
In India, yoga has always been a part of the culture, more of a lifestyle than a workout. People there used to learn yoga through private lessons from yogis and Hindu gurus, or from family members or friends who had learned yoga from them. It’s the popularity of yoga in western countries over the last century that has made it a trendy studio workout. But many Indian gurus do not quite stomach how yoga has been transformed due to western influences, since for them yoga has always been a part of education rather than a physical workout.
Even though representing yoga as a physical workout had initially helped in spreading awareness about it in western countries, but it is yoga’s psychological, physiological, biochemical healing abilities that have given it the real popularity. However, even till today people in western countries mostly opt for the physical aspect of this mostly spiritual practice. And since modern western lifestyle is being adopted in various parts of India for past few decades, current Indian generation perceives yoga in the much the same manner as western people do.
Whether practiced for the psychological, physiological and spiritual benefits or just as a mystic workout option, yoga benefits everyone. The trendier version of yoga has been able to attract more followers worldwide, who later use their discretion to continue doing it as a workout or to delve deeper and understand its spiritual aspect. In addition, openness in yoga has helped evolve many new and beneficial styles, such as Power yoga, Hot yoga, Aqua yoga, etc.
To learn yoga in India has always been considered a privilege in the yoga community. And indeed, there is a difference between learning it in a yoga retreat in Rishikesh or other hubs in the country, and in learning it at local yoga studio. Only in India, you can come to know and comprehend the spiritual roots associated with yoga practice. Surely, this knowledge helps you in understanding the true concept behind the practice, which is being-transformation.
Inevitably, from yoga attire, which has evolved from cotton robes to skin-tight yoga clothing, to the way poses are performed, which, in general has become more vigorous over time, every aspect of yoga has evolved. However, as long as practitioners understand the true concept behind yoga practice, changes are acceptable and in fact welcome.
In India, yoga has always been a part of the culture, more of a lifestyle than a workout. People there used to learn yoga through private lessons from yogis and Hindu gurus, or from family members or friends who had learned yoga from them. It’s the popularity of yoga in western countries over the last century that has made it a trendy studio workout. But many Indian gurus do not quite stomach how yoga has been transformed due to western influences, since for them yoga has always been a part of education rather than a physical workout.
Even though representing yoga as a physical workout had initially helped in spreading awareness about it in western countries, but it is yoga’s psychological, physiological, biochemical healing abilities that have given it the real popularity. However, even till today people in western countries mostly opt for the physical aspect of this mostly spiritual practice. And since modern western lifestyle is being adopted in various parts of India for past few decades, current Indian generation perceives yoga in the much the same manner as western people do.
Whether practiced for the psychological, physiological and spiritual benefits or just as a mystic workout option, yoga benefits everyone. The trendier version of yoga has been able to attract more followers worldwide, who later use their discretion to continue doing it as a workout or to delve deeper and understand its spiritual aspect. In addition, openness in yoga has helped evolve many new and beneficial styles, such as Power yoga, Hot yoga, Aqua yoga, etc.
To learn yoga in India has always been considered a privilege in the yoga community. And indeed, there is a difference between learning it in a yoga retreat in Rishikesh or other hubs in the country, and in learning it at local yoga studio. Only in India, you can come to know and comprehend the spiritual roots associated with yoga practice. Surely, this knowledge helps you in understanding the true concept behind the practice, which is being-transformation.
Inevitably, from yoga attire, which has evolved from cotton robes to skin-tight yoga clothing, to the way poses are performed, which, in general has become more vigorous over time, every aspect of yoga has evolved. However, as long as practitioners understand the true concept behind yoga practice, changes are acceptable and in fact welcome.
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