This is a current topic, that as a yoga instructor, I feel the need to address.
It is true that the West has embraced yoga and for the most part, cherry-picked the parts that appeal and disregarded the rest. There are many people who have claimed and even patented parts as their own, ignoring focus, the breath, adding music, implying that they have created a ‘new’ twist on an ancient subject. There are also many copies renamed as something new, even physiotherapy uses yoga.
What is important to acknowledge is that yoga was always the origin.
In ancient times yoga was handed down orally to a student who had shown the teacher his respect, worthiness and dedication. Without that trust, the meaning of yoga and the ongoing learning path could not be assured. The ancient teachers were strict, kept yoga pure, and accurate. Once it was recorded, they honoured their teachers, not themselves.
As yoga grew alongside Hinduism and shares the language of Sanskrit, understandably it has links and is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures.
The use of Om predates Hinduism, but within that faith is most sacred, and should be respected as such. Hindu deities are equally sacred and therefore should not be referred to without reverence or need.
Patanjali (the classical authority on yoga), was very careful to point out that yoga is non-religious. Yes it is spiritual and inspires a sense of humility, of knowing there are forces greater than oneself. It can enhance one’s faith, any faith, or indeed secular beliefs.
The tradition of yoga that I have been involved with for over thirty years has strong links to India, and I have studied there several times.
This tradition uses the Yoga Sutra (Patanjali) as its bible, and is holistic.
Sri Krishnamacharya studied Sanskrit and yoga in the early 20th century. He was descendent of a line of yoga macharya, and one of the first to bring yoga to women and visiting Europeans. His son Sri Desikachar studied with his father and opened a yoga therapy centre in Chennai in his honour. Desikachar also travelled the world to bring this tradition to light, and since their deaths the legacy goes on through all of the students he reached and the Mandiram in Chennai.
This tradition uses all of the tools Patanjali advocates to help the student achieve sense of yoga, where the whole being is nourished.
The training in this tradition is two to three years minimum, and ongoing. Students and teachers always have a mentor, and they are required to study and attend various training days and courses to keep their teaching accurate.
Yoga is and should be for everyone, my classes are open to all with a minimum age of 14 (as a level of focus is required). I teach in two clubs where the age group varies widely and there are many men in my classes, I also teach a cycle group which is mostly men.
I try to keep cost at a competitive level in my open classes, so that yoga is accessible.
I use ‘Namaste’ at the end of the practices, because it has a lovely meaning, and I deeply respect that.
“The light in me, touches the light in you”.
Overall I hope I honour my teachers wishes, to pass on their careful instruction and knowledge with great respect, to all of the students who come my way.