Recently my interest has been struck by an ongoing debate.
I couldn’t help but get excited. After all, who doesn’t love a little intelligent heat? In brief it is a dispute concerning the origins of yoga, the influences upon it, and the influences it has upon those who practice. Basically, there are some who argue that yoga is being distorted as it emerges exponentially in the western world and others who argue that there should be no ownership associated with the rights of Yoga.
The debate has risen in popularity within the past few weeks appearing as far as the New York Times to the HAF.
Both sides of the argument are perfectly understandable. Yoga was designed and intended to be practiced in accordance with its original motives and it should be protected. Conversely, as it is exposed to alternate cultures, faiths and religious backgrounds it is changing. Or is it?
Who decides what was and is now the right way to practice yoga?
I believe Bikram said it best: “What’s right is what works”.
This weekend my bridesmaids, my mom, and I all got together at a cute little dress shop with the intention of figuring out what costumes to wear to my upcoming wedding in May. Everyone had total freedom (at least I hope they all felt so) to pick out whatever they wanted. They could all wear the same dress or totally different dresses. I did mention a few times that I really like blue.
They tried on many dresses, like I had, hoping to find that ONE dress. The one you fall in love with when you put it on and never want to take it off.
There was this one dress.
When first discovered it was loved so much that it was immediately claimed. It stayed on the wearer through a few more costume changes by the other girls and then it was passed to another who upon zipping up the back, also fell in love. For this dress equally flattered and complimented the other with its style and excellence. Clearly this dress knew how to charm the ladies, as it was already quite enamored and courted by two. Now only two other girls remained single, eagerly awaiting a similarly passionate romance. Until eventually girl number three tried on the dress followed by girl number four. It was girl number four who said the vows: “This is the dress that looks damn good on us all.” We were all reminded of that book/movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
What if there was a universal costume that was a stunning fit for everyone? One that made us all feel greatest in our potential. One that made us all healthy, strong, handsome, and beautiful. What if it was a costume we enjoyed wearing so much that we never wanted to take it off?
What if yoga was a universal guidance to help everyone improve their quality of life? What if it didn’t matter how it was manipulated, changed, or integrated, it still managed to maintain its original purpose?
What if yoga fit everyone perfectly?
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