04/07/2025
My western country Yoga lovers won’t skip this👇🏼
After immersing myself in yoga’s birthplace + studying at the source, India, my country and my institution run by the Ministry of Ayush, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, here’s what I saw the most disturbing :
1️⃣ Calling yoga a “workout”
In the West, yoga is reduced to fitness, focusing on the physical. In India, it’s a complete spiritual discipline—one of Hinduism’s six Darshanas(6 sschool of indian philosophy). Asana is just one small part. Yoga is about moksha (liberation), not six-pack abs, though they may come as a byproduct😎.
2️⃣ Ignoring Pranayama and meditation
In India, pranayama and meditation are the foundation of every practice. “When the breath wanders, so is the mind, but when the breath is still, the mind is still.” After educating and practising for almost 10 years, I understand that if we skip Pranayama, we miss the heart of yoga.
3️⃣ Prioritising aesthetics over authenticity
In the West, yoga can feel like a performance — perfect poses, pricey outfits, curated feeds. But in India, it’s not about looking good; it’s about inner work. No one cares how your pose looks, but steadiness — We care about your devotion, discipline, and ability to still the mind.
4️⃣ Ignoring yoga’s roots
Yoga was born in India, and its roots run deep. Western adaptations have their place, but we must not forget its origin. As a teacher, it’s my duty to honour the lineage, study the texts (Gita, Yoga Sutras, Hatha Pradipika and more), and respect the culture that gave us this gift.
5️⃣Forgetting that yoga is a lifestyle
In India, yoga isn’t just a one-hour practice. It’s how you eat, speak, treat others. It’s living in harmony with nature, practicing *ahimsa*, and seeking truth. Yoga is in every breath, every choice, every moment.
6️⃣ Thinking you know it all
A true yoga teacher is always a student. The deeper you go, the more you realize how vast yoga is.
