Yoga in vogue?.....

Yoga, one of the earliest forms of spiritual and physical strength increasing mode of exercise routine, once prized and placed on a pedestal high as the heavens has now been reduced to a fad. In our present day and age, our living styles are not as those of our ancestors, who obviously did more rigorous work than we ever have (or will) and actually knew how to use yoga as a mechanism to promote health, both physically and mentally. This was because they knew that the secret to good life/living was to promote wellness, not only onto oneself but among others as well.

Sadly, our 21^st century thought process is hardwired to expect more results in less time, unlike that of our ancestors who followed the belief that efforts will bear fruit only with the passage of time. They did not do yoga like that of a chore to make themselves healthy, rather it was incorporated into their everyday activities. Thus, they stayed fit and lived to ripe old ages, unlike that of our generation, where it’s now being considered a feat to live past 75 years, without succumbing to cardiovascular, diabetic or cancer related health complications.

Yoga has been diluted, or for lack of a better word altered and tailored to fit the interest of the masses, like that of ‘Hot Yoga’, ‘Tide Yoga’, ‘Rhythmic Yoga’ et al.  These ‘types’ of yoga don’t take into account that some of the aasana’s (postures) are not meant for everyone. That is, certain aasana’s are supposed to be done in accordance with the type of problem you may be having or the type of physical condition the person is in. In these ‘trending’ yoga types, the afore mentioned specifications are not taken heed of, leading to probable worsening of the present problem.

We should be clear of our problem and the type of pain being caused to us, due to it. The proper type of yoga to be followed in most cases of pain treatment or physical therapy, is that of guidance under a yoga master, who knows what should or shouldn’t be done in accordance to the physical condition of the person. There should also be acceptance that time and effort will be the healers and that dedication must be given and with it good results will prevail.