19 Dec What is yogic? continues…

Yoga has undeniable become a popcultural phenomenon. A rebirth or transformation from what it originated as, to what it is today.

For example, USA and India, two geographic wells of yoga, and a dichotomy of extremes! USA preaching the most pysical (asana) focused yoga, and India, steaming of insence wrapped spiritualisme on its best. Here’s a great example of yoga as popculture:

So, with this framework in mind, yoga seem to have gone from deep spiritual practices to kick-ass physical exercises, with a cool laidback image. Where is the essence of the practice? Has something been lost on the way from ancient India to the 21st century Western world? If the context of yoga/spiritual teachings change, does the teaching itself change? Many questions arise. I get an immediate thought around capitalism and yoga, though I’m gonna explore that another day;)
Meanwhile:

If you are interested in more enlightenment on the topic of yoga as contemporary phenomenon, I highly recommend reading Mark Singleton’s Yoga Body. The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. (2010). Oxford Press. He’s a great guy, humble and knowledgable, and honest in his inqueries on yoga. (He was our keynote speaker at Bodø Yoga Festival 2011, again, thank you so much).

Have a good one!