One of the hottest topics of discussion today in yoga world is - should there be an existence of yoga competitions knowing its spiritual values and ethics which ancient sages has bestowed on the modern society. A lot of practitioners are favoring this idea globally where many are strictly against this concept.
Many of my earlier years of yogic existence were under the shelter of yoga championships and as I have evolved as a teacher, my perception towards this entire apprehension has changed over time which I would like to share. Please keep an open mind as you read below and do challenge your existing belief so that you can see from the perspective of both ends.
What is Yoga? We can answer this in different esoteric ways but a simple statement would be - Union of body, mind and spirit. As per what Maharishi Patanjali has authored in Yoga Sutras, yoga got 8 limbs which complete it and asana is one of these 8 limbs. In ancient times, the sages used to practice the asana for eliminating discomfort on physical body when seated prolonged in meditation. In modern world, asana is used as an active tool for maintaining physical health, where strength and flexibility are given lots of importance. Asana also leads us towards physical body's awareness which develops a better sense of self-understanding and leads us to the pathway of spiritual practices which can be attained through meditation (which is another limb among the 8 mentioned above).
However the western approach of yoga practice these days focus on using asana as a tool for weight loss and fitness. Some approaches and styles of practice almost eliminate its spiritual values and essence, when not practiced with importance given to Prana and Meditation during classes. So can there be any competitions in YOGA? The simple answer is - NO!
There cannot be comparisons of two people with different levels of consciousness as to who is greater or evaluate if one's spiritual practice or growth is better than another's. Hence, the so-called Yoga competitions are simply demonstrations of expressing the physical body's excellence from years of hard work and determination towards sculpting their physique and can be safely called as 'ASANA Competition' instead.
Next question would be - Shall there be Asana Competitions and why? Please read through till the end before coming into any judgments.
Practice of asanas help one to gain not just the physical strength but provides them with mental nourishment and confidence to excel in their daily life activities. One sees the growth of asanas as the growth in their self-discipline and introspection which is highly functional in daily life to surpass the challenges. Healthy competitions in any field encourage this human growth in all formats of their life, without which creativity and quests gradually fade out.
If asana competitions help one to unleash their limitless physical potentials, it should be encouraged on a global platform with sincere rules and friendly precedence, but keeping the fine line between an understanding of Asana versus Yoga. This would definitely strengthen the bondage between people of different cultures, religions and beliefs. This union is YOGA in its supreme spirit.
Samrat Dasgupta
Hong Kong Yoga Federation
Many of my earlier years of yogic existence were under the shelter of yoga championships and as I have evolved as a teacher, my perception towards this entire apprehension has changed over time which I would like to share. Please keep an open mind as you read below and do challenge your existing belief so that you can see from the perspective of both ends.
What is Yoga? We can answer this in different esoteric ways but a simple statement would be - Union of body, mind and spirit. As per what Maharishi Patanjali has authored in Yoga Sutras, yoga got 8 limbs which complete it and asana is one of these 8 limbs. In ancient times, the sages used to practice the asana for eliminating discomfort on physical body when seated prolonged in meditation. In modern world, asana is used as an active tool for maintaining physical health, where strength and flexibility are given lots of importance. Asana also leads us towards physical body's awareness which develops a better sense of self-understanding and leads us to the pathway of spiritual practices which can be attained through meditation (which is another limb among the 8 mentioned above).
However the western approach of yoga practice these days focus on using asana as a tool for weight loss and fitness. Some approaches and styles of practice almost eliminate its spiritual values and essence, when not practiced with importance given to Prana and Meditation during classes. So can there be any competitions in YOGA? The simple answer is - NO!
There cannot be comparisons of two people with different levels of consciousness as to who is greater or evaluate if one's spiritual practice or growth is better than another's. Hence, the so-called Yoga competitions are simply demonstrations of expressing the physical body's excellence from years of hard work and determination towards sculpting their physique and can be safely called as 'ASANA Competition' instead.
Next question would be - Shall there be Asana Competitions and why? Please read through till the end before coming into any judgments.
Practice of asanas help one to gain not just the physical strength but provides them with mental nourishment and confidence to excel in their daily life activities. One sees the growth of asanas as the growth in their self-discipline and introspection which is highly functional in daily life to surpass the challenges. Healthy competitions in any field encourage this human growth in all formats of their life, without which creativity and quests gradually fade out.
If asana competitions help one to unleash their limitless physical potentials, it should be encouraged on a global platform with sincere rules and friendly precedence, but keeping the fine line between an understanding of Asana versus Yoga. This would definitely strengthen the bondage between people of different cultures, religions and beliefs. This union is YOGA in its supreme spirit.
Samrat Dasgupta
Hong Kong Yoga Federation
