It is important to remember that Yoga is not a didactic, static or rigid discipline. Neither is the process of learning and teaching a linear one. Rather it is open to evolution and to growth in a way that every effective body of knowledge must be in order to remain relevant. So if you have practiced Yoga for a while and come across different or seemingly new practices that you have not encountered before, do not dismiss them out of hand. These could well be the new that has added nuance to the traditional, the modern that has tweaked and perhaps enhanced the original! In other words, you can relearn what you already know; improve upon what you already know to be good and sound and beneficial!
Yoga – traditional concepts vs. modern interpretations
As I have stressed several times via this blog, Yoga is a holistic, mind- body practice that is about far more than mere poses or certain gymnastic activities. The traditional understanding of Yoga, as envisaged by the Vedas also bears this out. Whenever Yoga was referred to, it spoke of an entire way of life that involved meditation, sacrificial practices and a whole spiritual system meant to promote inner and outer wellness.
In our modern, fast paced lives, such an all encompassing practice is admittedly difficult, if not impossible, and we have perhaps narrowed down our definition of what constitutes Yoga as being a set of positions or exercises that we can incorporate into your daily routines for the sake of health and fitness. Modern practitioners of Yoga have also tweaked Yoga to suit various different goals so there are modern Yoga traditions such as power Yoga, hot Yoga (or Bikram Yoga) and the likes. And since I maintain that Yoga is not and need not be a static and exclusivist practice, there is space within the discipline to embrace these newer practices as well.
More reasons why relearning is never a bad a idea
Even as a Yoga instructor of some experience, I acknowledge that there is much that I still have to learn and imbibe and that knowledge can come from non-traditional and unexpected quarters. As a practitioner and as an instructor I would have to retain the humility to acknowledge that learning is an ongoing and lifelong process without any finite beginnings and ends. A yogi; even one with great skill and experience, also needs to be able to acknowledge that over time, incorrect practices may have crept into their routines.
So remaining accepting of and open to new experiences, wiser interpretations and fresh insights into any subject is beneficial. Such an openness of the mind helps a person remain inquiring and youthful and able to absorb new perspective, experience and knowledge… able to grow! The refusal to remain rigid is a sign of emotional maturity and a breadth of vision that is welcoming and accepting even of that which we perceive as ‘different’ or ‘the other’…. All wonderful ways to keep growing and improving as a human and as a practitioner of Yoga, wouldn’t you say?
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