Introduction
Centuries ago, yoga was a form of lifestyle and not the trendy type of boutique exercises that are seen in the modern world. The practice originated from ancient Hindu philosophy. It was a practice aimed to awaken and to improve the consciousness while strengthening the mind and the body. Most people think that yoga involves unrolling yoga mats and making sun salutations. However, they focus more on relaxation, their minds and stretching rather than spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In western countries, yoga focuses on the physical benefits such as increased flexibility, balance, and strength ( Singleton and Byrne, 2008) . Nevertheless, are the physical benefits of yoga more beneficial than the spiritual benefits? Most of the traditional aspects of Yoga have been affected by westernization. The focus in on the physical benefits rather that spiritual enlightenment. The paper will seek to explain the impact of westernization on the traditional Hindu practice.
One of the practices in yoga is Dharana or concentration and dhyana or concentration. Yoga has become a trendy practice that most people have become accustomed to. Most of the people are garbed in yoga pants while carrying some colorful mats. In most situations, it is often a one hour class that focus on movement, physical stretching and escaping the hectic and busy modern day activities. Most people have heard of the merits of yoga such as its ability to reduce chronic pain and stress ( Schreiner, 2009) . Also, it has the ability to reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, few people have knowledge of its religious and spiritual roots. Its history dates back to about 150 years ago. The name itself has had different meanings over the years.
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History of Yoga
There are images of a meditating yogi in the Indus valley that are believed to be over 6000 years old. The earliest written records of yoga are found in the Rig Veda that was codified between 1200 and 1500. It is challenging to establish the appearance of the yoga through the Rig Veda because it was transmitted about a millennium ago. The initial yoga tests date back 2nd BC and were documented by Patanjali. The text describes the eight limbs that are constituted in the “Ashtanga Yoga” which dictates that an individual should close their minds while merging with the infinite. The initial and full record of the goals and principles of yoga are found in the Upanisads that is believed to be composed between the 4th and 8th centuries BC (Strauss, 2005). The group of the Upanisads was also called Vedanta or the traditional group of spiritual wisdom. They taught that man could become one with Supreme beings by inner sacrifice through training the mind, moral culture, and restraint.
Hence, yoga can be described as ancient spiritual activities that have their roots in India and remain as important and vibrant living traditions that are seen as a process of enlightenment. The four main types of yoga in India are raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga (Eliade, 2005). However, there are many other types of yoga. The practice has also become common in the US, but it is mainly associated with postures or asanas of the Hatha yoga that is popular for its fitness exercises. Yoga has become central in major religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Furthermore, it has a major influence on other spiritual and religious practices globally. There are important Hindu records and texts tat establish the significance of Yoga such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the Bhagavad Gita.
Contemporary Yoga and its Different Forms
Over time, different schools of yoga have come up, and there are various examples of their synthesis and subdivisions. Each form of yoga acts as a road to enlightenment. Bhakti Yoga focuses on devotion and love, Raja Yoga focuses on the eight limb formulae and meditation, Karma Yoga deals with selfless work while Jnana Yoga focuses on discernment and knowledge. Contemporary yoga focuses on asana or the physical posture (Eliade, 2005). All the practices in the different forms of yoga have some scientific and religious evidence and are not mutually exclusive. Modern yoga has been largely misunderstood because it is done mainly as the physical posture or asana. Nevertheless, it has been proven to possess many health advantages such as boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and relief of back pain. Improving the health of the participant is completely acceptable, but it should not be the purpose or goal of yoga.
The contemporary yoga that is seen in most parts of the world is not the one depicted in original texts or yoga sutras. It has evolved into asana that is more of physical exercises and is devoid of devotion and faith. It appears to be a trend or the latest fitness creations. Contemporary yoga should be an issue to all Hindus because the practice is being delinked from its historical roots in Hinduism. In most cases, it involves rolling mats, putting on yoga pants, physical exercises, and making sun salutations ( Singleton and Byrne, 2008) . It is often a one hour class that focus on movement, physical stretching and escaping the hectic and busy modern day activities. The spiritual aspects of yoga need to be emphasized so that the participants can receive the full benefits of yoga that range from the mind, soul, and body.
Comparison between Modern and Traditional Yoga
One of the similarities is the practice of meditation and concentration. Concentration is aimed at binding the consciousness of an individual to a common point. When a person concentrates, it allows them to meditate on the inner faculties and allows them to expand leading to feelings of oneness, peace, and joy. Another common element is the presence of a guru or the spiritual teacher. In some schools of yoga, the guru is often seen as the embodiment of the divine ( Schreiner, 2009) . Contemporary yoga is composed of traditional practices that originate from Hinduism such as controlling the mind through meditation, moral and ethical standards, quietening of the breath, postures for keeping the body fit, chanting of various mantras, and instruction by a guru.
However, there are various differences between contemporary yoga and traditional yoga. Contemporary yoga focuses more on relaxation, their minds and stretching rather than spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In western countries such as the US, yoga focuses on the physical benefits such as increased flexibility, balance, and strength (Feuerstein, 2012). In the Western world, asanas or posture is substituted for traditional yoga. The spiritual aspect of traditional yoga has been left out. Furthermore, it is seen as a commercial activity where countries spend billions on yoga. For instance, $16 billion was spent on yoga classes last year in the US. Traditional yoga could be done by every member of the community, but contemporary yoga focuses on the people who can afford the classes. Therefore, in most western cultures, yoga is pursued as an exercise that is separate from the spiritual exercises that were common in traditional yoga.
Is Contemporary Yoga an Issue of Concern?
More than 20 million people in the US practice Yoga. However, most Hindus insist that yoga is far much more than breathing and exercise techniques that are common in most yoga classes in the US. Most Hindus believe that it should be based on a deeper philosophy that respects its Hindu origins. I believe that it is an issue that should be discussed because the ancient practice of Yoga is threatened with new practices that may end up corrupting its main purpose ( Adler, 2016) . Yoga in the US has taken a physical approach and ignored the spiritual aspects. Most people do not associate yoga with Hinduism despite its Hindu origins. Yoga has evolved since its inception in the Hindu culture, and it will continue changing to fit the needs of the current society. In fact, in the 1920s, the sexual and tantric aspects of yoga were removed and replaced with exercise and health aspects.
The importance of Yoga is that it is accessible to all people including atheists, Jews, Christians and other people who have no affiliation with Hindu spirituality. Its Hindu origins should not be overemphasized because every person should be free to use yoga for mental and spiritual awakening, and for personal satisfaction. Nevertheless, its Hindu origins cannot be dismissed because the played a critical role in the evolution of yoga over the millennium ( Adler, 2016) . Despite the evolution of yoga over the years, the changes have missed the critical nature of spirituality in Yoga. This is the reason why the Hindu American Foundation launched the “Take Back Yoga” campaign. The importance of its Hindu origins has not been respected. Some people associate Hinduism as a religion of multiple gods, arms and head while linking yoga with serenity and pureness. Hindus have not overreacted because the philosophical roots of yoga that are found in Hinduism should be acknowledged.
Prime Minister Modi’s plan to “take back yoga from the west.”
As a way of “taking back yoga from the West,” Prime Minister Modi appointed a minister of yoga, Shripad Naik. The Indian yogic practices are found in Hindu texts that were recorded millenniums ago. However, the practices have little resemblance to the fitness classes, mats, and stretch pants that have formed a multi-billion dollar industry in the Western countries. Modi and Shripad are yearning for the day when the downward facing dog poses and the famous sun salutations will become common in India as they are common in the (West Ross & Thomas, 2010) . Yoga has become incorporated in all aspects of the civic life such as police training centers, hospitals, and schools. India is attempting to establish yoga as an Indian tradition that has been exported to other countries.
Narendra Modi has been pushing the efforts of establishing yoga as a Hindu tradition. Despite being 64 years old, he wakes up at 5 am for deep breathing and yoga stretches. He credits his energetic nature to yoga. In fact, when he is tired, he takes deep breaths that refresh him. His devotion to yoga became evident when he discussed the international yoga day during his first speech at the UN General Assembly (West Ross & Thomas, 2010) . Over the past twenty years, yoga is becoming increasingly trendy in India. Many studios have been opened, and many of their film stars are making fitness videos. The new embrace by Indians is because of Modi and the public debates regarding the origin of yoga and the secular versions of yoga that are practiced in the West such as kickboxing yoga, nude yoga, and rave yoga. However, the idea was not to claim ownership of yoga but the acknowledgment that the philosophies and principles behind yoga were based on Hinduism.
The impact of Contemporary Yoga has had on Hindu practices
The impact of contemporary yoga on Hindu practices did not begin with yoga; it began with the rapid change on their social order during British colonialism and modern capitalism. Most of the Indians were taught using western concepts and Christian values. During colonialism, the British actively forced their civilization models into the Indian subcontinent had an effect on Hindu practices ( Cowen & Adams, 2005) . The aim of the British people was to have a country of persons who were Indian in color and blood but were English in morals, intellect, tastes, and opinions. Decades later after independence, most Hindus still have western values such as contemporary yoga. The traditional practice of yoga in India is being replaced by the flashy and trendy practices that are common in western countries. Commercialization of yoga has taken over in the country.
The outcry of influential leaders such as Modi is warranted because their heritage is being washed away by western culture. Colonialism made yoga appear backward, and most of the current Indian generation lost the fundamental principles of yoga, and that is why yoga is not as common in India as in the western countries. On the other hand, yoga has been westernized into their culture to the extent that few people associate yoga with Hinduism ( Cowen & Adams, 2005) . Furthermore, the best schools in India are run by convents hat do not adhere to the traditional Hindu practices. Contemporary yoga has also had an effect on their values. There has been a divergent social belief between Indians who adhere to contemporary yoga and to those who follow the traditional practices. There has been secularization of Hinduism due to contemporary yoga. Those who adhere to the traditional yoga feel a loss or despair while those who adhere to contemporary yoga feel out of place in their community. Most of the Indian elite having gone through British and Christian education consciously or unconsciously adopted English values and integrated them with their Hindu culture.
Healthy Practice of Yoga
Yoga has been used for spiritual, body and physical benefits. It is a practice aimed to awaken and improve the consciousness while strengthening the mind and the body. It has an important role in the treatment of modern illnesses such as coronary heart disease, mental stress, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. It acts as a complementary measure in the control and treatment of some of the conditions ( Taneja, 2014) . However, it only focuses on yoga asana or postures. It results in improved health, joy in their living, emotional well-being, and mental clarity. The practice progresses the students to experience Samadhi or the advanced meditation that results to inner ecstasy.
Yoga also involves mastery of desire, body, emotional self, and mind. It allows the yogi to comprehend the true nature of the current reality. It results in an enlightened phase where thoughts cease, and there is a blissful union of their spirituality and emotions. It may also be a technique of improving their spirituality or increasing their love for God or enhancing their insight and compassion. The spiritual growth does not benefit Hindus alone but also all religions because it assists them to get closer to the Supreme Being ( Taneja, 2014) . Yoga is composed of traditional practices that originate from Hinduism such as controlling the mind through meditation, moral and ethical standards, quietening of the breath, postures for keeping the body fit, chanting of various mantras, and instruction by a guru. Furthermore, it improves the concentration and mental ability of the yogi. The practices are aimed at improving the health of the yogi who receives instruction from the guru.
So what is it?
In some situations, practicing has become cultural appropriation because it has been reduced to a flashy lifestyle where the participants are mainly white, thin and blonde. Yoga is supposed to benefit all members of the society, but most people feel left out if they are not thin or white. Furthermore, it focuses mainly on the physical rather than the spiritual. Traditional yoga encompasses both spiritual and physical awakening. Furthermore, it has been commercialized, and only the people who have good incomes can access the classes. Yoga should be treated with greater cultural sensitivity so that it does not disrespect its origins. Yoga should be accessible to all people instead of the elite alone. The classes should do more than teaching the yogis how to stretch but also learning its origins and incorporating the spiritual aspects of yoga.
Nevertheless, despite its cultural appropriation, it should be used for medical purposes. Due to modernization, globalization, and the changing lifestyles, fast growing epidemics such as cardiovascular diseases, mental stress, and hypertension have emerged. Despite the fact that yoga has its origins in India millenniums ago, the practice was introduced to the western nations during the 19th century, and it became a therapeutic measure in the treatment of various diseases. It results in improved health, joy in their living, emotional well-being, and mental clarity ( Taneja, 2014) . The practice progresses the students to experience Samadhi or the advanced meditation that results to inner ecstasy. The main purpose of yoga is attaining Moksha or liberation from the life-death cycle and worldly suffering. As an individual attempts to master their desires, body, and mind, they may get relieved from their worldly pains. They may not be fully treated, but it eases their pain and enhances their treatment.
Conclusion
Yoga is a practice aimed to awaken and to improve the consciousness while strengthening the mind and the body. Most people think that yoga involves unrolling yoga mats and making sun salutations. However, they focus more on relaxation, their minds and stretching rather than spiritual awakening and enlightenment. The impact of contemporary yoga on Hindu practices did not begin with yoga; it began with the rapid change on their social order during British colonialism and modern capitalism. Most of the Indians were taught using western concepts and Christian values. During colonialism, the British actively forced their civilization models into the Indian subcontinent had an effect on Hindu practices. On the other hand, yoga has been westernized into their culture to the extent that few people associate yoga with Hinduism ( Smith, 2007) . Furthermore, the best schools in India are run by convents hat do not adhere to the traditional Hindu practices. Contemporary yoga has also had an effect on their values. There has been a divergent social belief between Indians who adhere to contemporary yoga and to those who follow the traditional practices.
It is apparent that most of the Indian elite having gone through British and Christian education consciously or unconsciously adopted English values and assimilated them with their Hindu culture. Contemporary yoga was also adapted into their culture. Steps need to be taken to save traditional yoga from the effects of contemporary yoga. Some of the steps include teaching and incorporating traditional yoga in all aspects of the civic lie to ensure that every citizen can practice yoga ( Smith, 2007) . Furthermore, yoga should be made affordable so that every person can access the services rather than the elite alone. Yoga should not be commercialized. Finally, all gurus should acknowledge the history of yoga that lies in its Hindu origins.
References
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