Traditional Yoga vs Modern Yoga Part- 2

So, what major differences are there in traditional and modern yoga?

Traditional Yoga 

• Yoga is the pathway of spirituality and spiritual growth.
• Yoga teachers and students (Guru-Shishiya) relationship is a strong bond in which the words of the guru are wise and absolutely truthful. It says that each shishiya is a seed to be planted and it nurtures into blossoms. The role of the guru is vital in eastern practices.
• Traditional yoga practices usually start and end with a meditation to connect the body and spirit together.  
• Yoga is a quieter experience, that the concept of having yoga studios or practising yoga in groups is not so modern style yoga.  
• Traditional Yoga focus on Sankalpa Shakti (Will Power), Kriya Shakti (power of action) and Iccha Shakti (Power of desire).
• It is based on Philosophy and goal of yoga

Modern Yoga

• In modern yoga is more like a trend and craze.  People are literally obsessed with yoga and social media news feeds are proof.
• The modern yoga is far cry from the basic traditional yoga, yet it’s highly commercialized. Fashion brands have launched yoga wears.
• People practice yoga for the sake of posture and physical exercise to keep them fit and clear-minded. 

• Yoga teachers are more like friends and they will help you learn the techniques of yoga for physical fitness and lesser are they concerned about the spiritual aspect of yoga.
• People in modern tend to attend yoga sessions in yoga studios with a bunch of friends and it definitely cost them a handsome amount.
• One more thing, that individual interests may vary, that some people are more concerned about the spiritual aspects of yoga.
• Modern Yoga based on techniques.

Traditional yoga is for body, mind and soul together. The modern yoga may have ‘customized’ the yogic techniques, yet they still benefit the practitioners to gain both physical and psychological wellbeing.          

Dr Rajesh K. Mishra- Ayurveda and Yoga Master
Dr Mishra Academy- Bremen, Germany