Difference Between Traditional Yoga and Contemporary Yoga
Spirituality VS Fitness Goals ď ś Traditional yoga is more about spirituality and ways to attain it. A spiritual practice in itself, traditional yoga focuses on providing a spiritual enlightenment wherein students work towards achieving the ultimate goal of uniting with the divine. ď ś Modern aka contemporary yoga has evolved over the years to become more of a fitness-oriented practice today. More commonly practiced in Western countries, contemporary yoga focuses on achieving fitness goals while giving the spiritual experience a back seat.
Postures VS Meditation ď ś Traditional aka authentic yoga practices shed more focus on meditation practices. According to yogic experts, the ancients perceived postures as just one part of an entire system of yoga. Although quite a useful part, these yogic postures hold second place when compared to meditation that shed more focus on spiritual enlightenment, the main purpose of yoga in those days. ď ś Modern yoga on the other hand, takes a different approach to spiritual enlightenment. While neglecting focus on meditation or mind part, contemporary yoga offers higher value for physical postures or Asanas. Rather than being a part of yoga, these Asanas have now become the whole of yoga, seemingly reflecting its true nature as a means to reduce weight or achieve fitness goals. Many experts offering authentic yoga courses in India believe that in doing so, the true purpose of yoga is missing from the process.
Oral Lessons VS Practical Lessons ď ś If you prefer to learn yoga in India from a traditional yoga practitioner, you will be surprised to note that authentic yoga was actually taught orally. There are many historical scriptures that point out to way yoga was taught back then, with many indicating that yoga was possible taught in a sutra style, focusing on imparting knowledge of the 196 different sutras found in the Yoga Sutras orally. ď ś Modern yoga; however, takes a different approach here as well. Rather than relying on oral lessons, contemporary yoga jumpstarts with physical training and yoga poses. While this may be done to accommodate the tight schedules, one cannot help but notice how the true essence of yoga is sometimes lost in modern yoga.
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