Yoga - the way I want it!

“ Is a Yoga class something like a coffee shop? __Walk in, find a corner table and order your favourite coffee with flavouring of your choice?” Our Yoga teacher was furious at an enquiry from a prospective 'student'.

We are fortunate to be associated with, and have the opportunity to learn 'Iyengar Yoga' from a senior practitioner and certified teacher. She has learnt and practiced Yoga for over 20 years, from the legendary BKS Iyengar himself and has staunch belief and unfaltering faith in the Iyengar Yoga methodology, which tends to physical stamina and flexibility. Sequence, precision, alignment and props – are the hallmarks of Iyengar Yoga, and the regular practice of it, as advocated by BKS helps integrate body, mind and emotions. Yoga is a life long quest for a healthy body and mind.

On and off, Ma'am narrates incidents and conversations, that highlight the contradiction between peoples' desires versus the traditional Yoga ideology. Today was one such.

A young girl had called Ma'am on behalf of her father, who wanted to join the yoga class. The hitch? He would do only 'Shirsaasan' using the rope fixtures on the wall! {Shirsaasan is an inversion pose where one stands on the head with feet extending towards the ceiling}. Why? Because he 'likes' it and feels 'nice' after Shirsaasan! The prospective student had decided what he would do in class. Paying the fees entitles him to the privilege of deciding, right?

Does a student need a teacher or is it the other way round?

Most people approach Yoga as a cure for ailments, and that too after displeasure with Allopathy and Physiotherapy. And quit once they feel better. There are people who want to do Yoga in their 'free time' – after catering to home, hearth and social obligations. And there are others who want Yoga to help them loose weight and become slim – very quickly! And yet others who probably just want to be seen in trendy, branded workout gear. :)

A bit out of context, but along the same lines of thought: I recently saw an interview with Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev. He found the mass adoption of Yoga by the modern world a bit 'scary'. He felt, it would be more appropriate for people to take up some sport to achieve weight loss and enhance appearance. Yoga was designed for physical and mental harmony.

Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Hari Om Yoga, Anti gravity yoga, Ballet yoga, Hip Hop yoga, Acro yoga...and so many more new age variations of an ancient science, have sprouted around us. Practitioners of traditional health care methods find the the new trend disturbing and disappointing.

'I always tell people, live happily and die majestically'-BKS Iyengar

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Originally published in 2015