Nothing New Under the Yogic Sun
Some yogis of old were as body-negative as many of today’s yogis are extreme in their hedonistic body positivity. There is a lack of ecology, of balance, in each of these approaches.
In the cult of Yoga Journal’s body-sculpting, women are symbols of sex appeal and health. In the body-negative cult of some ascetic yogis, the body is denied through their display of atrophying arms or legs.
Tantra has attempted a different approach, and has often walked that fine balance beautifully by embracing both the body and the soul, both Shakti and Shiva, both Prakriti and Purusha, both the inner and the outer world.
The physical realm of our existence is indeed limited. The body will finally age. It may start to ache. Disease may come. Death will certainly come.
There is hope, however. Behind the sensuous gloss on the covers of today’s yoga magazines, I do see some glimpses of the deeper, subterranean flow of yogic wisdom and practice.
In yoga studios all over the world, harmoniums and tablas are placed before outstretched yoga mats. Some are even dusting off Krishna’s urging by doing selfless service or social change activities.
Ayurvedic massage and herbs are integral healing modalities of many yoga studios. Many yoga teachers end their classes with at least rudimentary forms of meditation.
These are all signs of a holistic tapestry being woven together from all the integrated strands of wisdom yoga can offer. So let these questions linger: Why do yoga? For the body? For the mind? For the soul? For the whole being?
Whatever our answer, our practice will reflect it, our lifestyle, our talk and our walk. In that regard, there is nothing new under the yogic sun.
Keeping this perspective in our mind, like a silent mantra behind silent lips, will keep us more balanced, more honest, more authentically yogi-like — both on and off the mat.
As Rumi says, it is indeed important to know what you want. Because, says this wise poet of ecstasy: “There is a subtle truth: whatever you love, you are.”