Yogic Gymnastics Is Not Yoga: What Master Athletes Are Missing
Yogic Gymnastics Is Not Yoga: What Master Athletes Are Missing
Introduction
Let me take you through a basic yoga definition. Yoga comes from the word "Yuj," meaning to join, combine, or yoke. The orthodox meaning of yoga is the union of atma (soul) with paramatma (the supreme being). For non-believers, yoga practice helps synchronise our energy vibrations with the cosmic energy vibrations. In the Bhagavad Gita, the holy book of the Hindus, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna that yoga is a practice which frees us from the clutches of pain and sorrow. He further says that one who knows the eternal bliss through yoga is not moved by the greatest sorrow. Pain and sorrow throw the mind into a never-ending whirlpool, and so "Yoga" in its essence is a practice to still the mind and channel that energy into constructive endeavours.
Fast forward to modern times, where instant gratification is the rage of the day. It's not surprising that would-be yogis look for fast-track learning programs to enjoy holistic well-being through yogasanas and embark on their journey of self-discovery. These would-be yogis miss the bigger picture — especially in the West, where yoga has become a fad and yogasanas have become "yogic gymnastics," which is in no way related to authentic yoga.
Authentic Yoga
Yoga philosophy represents one of the orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was first collated by Maharishi Patanjali in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, in the form of 185 aphorisms. The Yoga Sutras describe the eight limbs, or eightfold path, to yoga: yama (restraints), niyama (observances), asana (posture), pranayama (regulating the breath), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (trance). Nowhere does it state that asana alone is yoga, or that meditation alone is yoga — rather, the practice of the eightfold path leads to a stable state of mind and body to achieve Samadhi. Yoga is therefore far more than asanas, pranayama, or meditation in isolation. It is a way of life — but in this modern era, the true essence of yoga has often been lost to commercialisation.
Commercialisation of Yoga
Imagine a scintillating advertisement showing a woman performing artistic yogic poses, tacitly promising great results in a 4-week program and a transcendental experience. This is what many so-called gurus promise, in the East and the West alike — far more than they can deliver. To make matters worse, the neo-yogis shell out top dollar for such programs, joining delighted that by the end of the month they'll perform such artistic poses. Many are disappointed. These programs do provide a temporary escape from the daily grind, but authentic yoga is a practice that does not guarantee quick results. The transformative effects of yoga cannot be achieved in a four-week program.
The 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program — The Biggest Farce
I have been practicing yoga for the past 24 years and still feel there is so much to learn. I keep wondering how someone can teach yoga and certify students as teachers in just four weeks. What if you became a doctor after a 4-week program? Would you go to such a doctor? Yoga has been trivialised by institutes running these programs worldwide. Yoga is a slow, steady, lifelong practice — and the results are even slower. The sadhus of India would practice for years before becoming a guru and teaching. What the 200-hour crash course teaches is gymnastics. Another current fad is "the flow" — moving from one asana to another in sequence. This too is not asana practice, but gymnastics.
As I've written before: the legendary yoga guru T. Krishnamacharya said yoga must be practiced slowly, reasoning that quick moves disrupt the flow of blood. Asanas are about restricting and directing blood flow to different organs to make them healthier. Fast movements disrupt that flow, achieving only the superficial effects of exercise instead of the deep, transformative effects of yogasanas. The ultimate aim of asana is not to master a complex posture, but to condition and stabilise the body — preparing it for long periods of meditation.
Push Versus Surrender in Achieving a Yogic Posture
The urge to be perfect and perform complex postures like a gymnast has led to a culture of props and "pushing" among modern yoga instructors. Take Samakonasana, the straddle split — countless videos show an instructor sitting with students, pulling their hands to deepen the pose. Most people aren't naturally flexible in this area and can injure themselves easily this way. The alternative is targeted asanas for the hips and groin muscles involved, allowing flexibility to develop gradually. Yoga is about moderation — in practice, diet, sleep, and eating. Extremes of any kind are forbidden in true yoga; what's described above is yogic gymnastics — perhaps a new branch of physical exercise, but unrelated to yoga itself.
Yoga is about surrender. You do not compete with anyone. You devote yourself to the practice, or "sadhana." It is something deeply personal — not exhibitionism. While it's a good thing that more people are interested in yoga today, many remain oblivious to its spiritual aspect, more concerned with looking good than with what yoga was truly intended for: calming the mind.
Conclusion
Yogasanas are a great way to strengthen the body, but that alone is not yoga. Yoga is a lifelong practice, and it may not be for everyone. If you wish to practice yoga in its authentic form, the eightfold path — yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and Samadhi — should be incorporated into your life. I understand many won't have time for all eight limbs; in that case, take the best from the eightfold path and weave it into daily life. My issue isn't with people taking the best from yoga — it's with those who twist its fundamentals and still call it yoga. When practicing, go slow. A slow approach takes you a long way. Yoga is not about mastering complex poses, but about mastering one stage before moving to the next, and the next, until Samadhi is reached. Let's not rush to master every yogasana in a 4-week program — instead, embark on a lifelong journey of devotion and surrender that transcends time and enriches our being.
For master athletes, this distinction matters more than ever. After 50, the body doesn't need more performance — it needs integration. The asana is not the destination; it's the doorway. When you approach your practice as Patanjali intended — as a path to stillness rather than a flexibility competition — you get everything the "yogic gymnastics" crowd is chasing, and the deeper benefits they're missing entirely.
No Flow, Just Go Slow!!!
