Yoga is generally referred to as physical and mental practices that help in the balance of mind, body, and soul and are a group of stress-relief and relaxation techniques. Since its origin in India thousands of years back in time, Yoga has evolved to new levels.
It has spread across the world and is a popular form of healing in several countries. Today, millions of people follow yoga and Ayurveda and look forward to keeping themselves healthy and fit through yoga postures, meditation, and different other techniques. However, with new innovations and modifications coming in every decade, Yoga has taken up a new form in several countries around the globe.
Though traditional yoga originated from the Vedas, its modern form has been inspired by a lot of contemporary factors. While yoga in India is more of a divine and sacred process of healing, yoga in the west is often seen as a fitness practice.
So, in case you are wondering what are the key differences between yoga in India and western yoga, we have listed down several major differences you must know. Read through them and understand how yoga is divided geographically and how it is taught in schools across the world.
Aim
Indian yoga, or traditional yoga, is deeply rooted in the cultural system of India and generally aims at soaking in spirituality and connecting mind and soul with God. Here, it focuses on expanding the consciousness of the person and maintaining mental stability.
However, western yoga is all about doing intense fitness training and other exercises to stay fit and healthy. It is often seen as an alternative form of medicine in the west and people often take it up for maintaining body weight and strength.
Style of Yoga
Yoga in the west has been reformed to a new level in the last few decades and usually focuses on training the body for physical strength and flexibility. It also follows certain new styles including Hot Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Aqua Yoga, Yin Yoga, etc.
However, yoga schools in India still perform the traditional style and emphasize original forms including Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and more. It comprises meditation, yoga asanas, and other practices for balancing mind and body.
Student-Teacher Relationship
A teacher is referred to as the guru in India and is the most revered and dignified designation in its traditional culture. That’s why the student-teacher relationship in yoga schools of India is often respected as a bond of god and devotee.
However, in the west, the student-teacher relationship is far more casual and as simple as it seems. The teachers in the yoga schools of the west are simply fitness trainers who guide yoga enthusiasts.
Practice Locations
Yoga TTC in India is all about awakening the consciousness in the lap of nature. It believes that nature is an important part of human life and is perfect for the healing and maintenance of mental and physical stability. Hence, yoga in India is often practiced outdoors in Ashrams.
These major yoga schools in India nurture amid natural surroundings, by the river or up in the hills. If you are looking for a serious yoga TTC in India along with the flamoyance of the most beautiful beaches and a laid-back lifestye, then go for a Yoga teacher training In Goa.
Western yoga is practiced in yoga centers in a controlled environment fitted with all modern comfort and convenience. It focuses on providing an environment with all services and facilities.
Importance of Food
According to Indian yoga, food is a significant part of human life and it affects the way you think and react. Hence, during yoga sessions and teacher training courses in India, a strict vegetarian diet with Ayurvedic herbs and spices in it is maintained. Best yoga schools often prepare a balanced diet chart that includes food that helps in metabolism and mental growth.
In the west, yoga schools do not have a prominent diet plan to be followed. They don’t have such customary meals for yoga students.
Commercialization
Western yoga is heavily commercialized as it is taught through certain courses and is treated as just another subject to learn. Today, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry where people enroll in courses in fancy yoga studios.
However, on the contrary, Indian yoga lies in simplicity as it is treated as a way of life. It is respected as a life lesson where people come to learn about the inner self and understand the way mind, body, and soul work.
Connection with Spirituality
Yoga in India is treated as a spiritual form of healing and its teachings are embraced as guidance from God. Moreover, yoga has been mentioned in the spiritual and religious texts of Hinduism. Hence, it is all about being one with the universe while treating the mind and body right.
Western yoga is more of a physical activity where the focus is just to gain physical strength, flexibility, and proper body growth.
Duration
As per Vedic traditions and teachings, Indian yoga is a lifelong process and it continues till the end of life. Several yogis in India indulge in decades of learning to become yoga gurus.
However, in the west, yoga is seen as a medical course for fitness and hence, it is completed over short and long-duration courses. You can become a professional trainer within a few months of completing the course.
Attire
India yoga believes in the simplicity of life and hence, it focuses on wearing simple and comfortable clothing that would help you perform different asanas easily. It encourages attire (usually traditional) that doesn’t serve hindrance to the liberty of the body.
In the west, yoga doesn’t have any specific attire to follow, and hence, it doesn’t prioritize comfortable clothing. Here, you can also find professionals encouraging fashionable clothing to a great extent.
Author Bio:
Laura is blogging at Goa Yogashala, a website that offers best yoga retreats and yoga teacher training for yogis around the world. Always on the lookout for interesting places to visit. It took him 25 years of his life to realize where the true calling lies, but once that was done, there’s been no looking back. Since the last ten years that she is on the go, She is sharing his travel experiences by writing about them.
