Modern Yoga

Words: 1362
Pages: 6

Yoga is a practice found within the religion of Hinduism that overtime have modernized and expanded to the West. The expansion and modernization has left people with the worry that contemporary yoga has created disrespect towards its origins. The following paper will explore some of the issues that the modernization of yoga has brought to the true meaning of the practice and the measures that could be executed to ensure the utmost respect for its origins.

Profile of Five Voices The first voice “The Development of Modern Yoga: A Survey of the field” by Suzanne Newcombe explores the origins of yoga and the development of modern yoga. Many believe that yoga began in the Hindu religion, however the techniques of yoga were also used by the Buddhists,
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The creation of different styles of the practice all share the common belief of mind/body balance, which is the root of the practices that are found world-wide. A mind/body balance is necessary when the contemporary human is constantly stressed and filled with anxiety. Misiak believes that the reason yoga has become so popular is because many turn to this practice to be revealed from daily …show more content…
As Modern yoga has adapted some aspects to the West, it is said it is a product of collaboration between the Indians and Europeans (Newcombe 2009,). Although non-Hindus are worried about practicing a spiritual practice that does not follow their own religion, Klas Nevrin, in “The Development of Modern Yoga: A Survey of the field”, emphasized that modern yoga can bring a sense of empowerment and self confidence. When comparing the evolution of yoga to the evolution of the swastika, it is apparent that yoga brings more than just negative aspects. Both yoga and the swastika originated in India, where it has evolved in other places around the world (Joseph 2005). Just as yoga was taken up by the West, the swastika was taken by the Nazis who turned the peaceful symbol into a strong hateful symbol. When comparing the swastika and the practice of yoga, it is evident that the modernization of yoga has not had such a harmful effect on others, especially on the religious traditions of