A lot is being spoken about yoga these days. Our so-called celebrities are promoting yoga. The western parts of the world are taking a very keen commercial interest in this product which many do not know was born in India. But I at times wonder if it is more of being 'cool' that is attached to this form of well-being than its original aura.
It seems that the world has suddenly woken up to this natural, no-side-effect lifestyle, helping a host of yoga institutions to spring up around the globe. In the society many believe I live in, it is seen as 'cool' to say, 'I have my yoga class from 6 in the evening today'! But am I overreacting in my refusal to participate in the celebration of the ever-growing popularity of this ancient Indian art? How much of it is real yoga, and how much is spirituality, anyway? I do not know for I've never been to any of those centers!
It may be the chauvinist Indian in me who wants a slice of the recognition from the outside world that yoga was conceived in India. 'What does the West anyway know of spirituality' is the doubt-syndrome some of us suffer from, especially when we see most yoga teachers preaching shades of spirituality along with their yoga lessons. They talk about how one should connect to the inner self in a world where our inner world is constantly being challenged and then invaded by an ever-increasing fear of lack of privacy. Hence the whole understanding of spirituality has gone through twists and spins over the last few decades, and a contemporary way of realizing the same has come into being. An impressive number of people are these days able to relate to this twenty first century form of spirituality. Which is just good!
It seems that the world has suddenly woken up to this natural, no-side-effect lifestyle, helping a host of yoga institutions to spring up around the globe. In the society many believe I live in, it is seen as 'cool' to say, 'I have my yoga class from 6 in the evening today'! But am I overreacting in my refusal to participate in the celebration of the ever-growing popularity of this ancient Indian art? How much of it is real yoga, and how much is spirituality, anyway? I do not know for I've never been to any of those centers!
It may be the chauvinist Indian in me who wants a slice of the recognition from the outside world that yoga was conceived in India. 'What does the West anyway know of spirituality' is the doubt-syndrome some of us suffer from, especially when we see most yoga teachers preaching shades of spirituality along with their yoga lessons. They talk about how one should connect to the inner self in a world where our inner world is constantly being challenged and then invaded by an ever-increasing fear of lack of privacy. Hence the whole understanding of spirituality has gone through twists and spins over the last few decades, and a contemporary way of realizing the same has come into being. An impressive number of people are these days able to relate to this twenty first century form of spirituality. Which is just good!
First thing first!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of Blogging. Even if you own this profile since 2008, I am happy that you finally spoke! Welcome, my friend :)
Yoga, is not what we understand by the mere word - but it is something much more than that, for sure. What we know is a form of exercise, clubbed with a few spiritual dialogues that these Yoga teachers teach you - and I am sure it has no direct relationship with spirituality!
Actually, to comment on this post, we need to do some background study - to know what Yoga is and how and why is it important. It can transform human to super human; but I do not know why. May be I would come back to this post in a few years time, only if I do some research and cultivate this habit of performing Asanas...
Good post!
Keep writing :)
Thanks bro for those kind words :)
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