My way is oldest
This is a typical claim made by many people practicing Yoga. As per ancient
texts such as Bhagvat Gita Yoga is classified into four types namely Dhyana
Yoga, Jana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga. It is just in the modern world that
people have invented many types and styles of Yoga. Clearly there are commercial
motives behind such inventions. I find it funny when I see these people trying
to convince other how their system is original, authentic and oldest. This is
totally fully. It simply doesn't matter how much old your system is. What
matters is whether your way is able to induce self-realization in the
practitioner.
People often believe that oldest Yogic system must be the best. This need not
be true. For example Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is considered as one of the classic
work on Yoga. However, he rarely includes techniques such as Asanas, Mudras and
variety of Pranayams. It is evident that the science of Pranayama and Kundalini
awakening was explored in much more details by later Yogis. That means just like
any other thing in life Yoga can evolved further!
It is often believed that Yoga has reached saturation in terms of concepts
and practices. I do not agree with this. It is true that ancient Yogis took Yoga
to one peak and showed us a great way to attain liberation. However, what is
lacking is innovation and time relative experimentation. For example how can
modern science help us hasten spiritual progress? Can we use its inventions to
accomplish spiritual aims? Can modern medicine and science throw some light on
functions of mind in relation to spiritual development? Unfortunately only few
people seem to be doing work in these areas.
When you try to convince others that your system is best because it is oldest
it clearly shows that you have very few plus points as compared to other
systems. Real challenge is to assist modern man to realize its spiritual
potentials and help him to accomplish his spiritual goals. If all so called
styles and their inventors join hands to create a standardize framework of Yogic
practices that will help a lot to the world. Unfortunately only few seem to be
interested in such work. Everybody wants commercial gains, fame and glory and
that's why such people want something "new". Since they can't create anything
new in Yoga itself they simply create new styles.
Anyways...if you are looking for some Yoga instructor or studio don't let
them fool you by saying that they are best because their style alone is
authentic and oldest. Ask them upfront - how can your so called oldest and
authentic style is going to help me? how is it different than rest of the crowd
apart from name and luxurious studio?
Bipin Joshi is an independent software consultant and trainer by profession specializing in Microsoft web development technologies. Having embraced the Yoga way of life he is also a yoga mentor, meditation teacher, and spiritual guide to his students. He is a prolific author and writes regularly about software development and yoga on his websites. He is programming, meditating, writing, and teaching for over 27 years. To read more about him go here. More details about his Kriya and Meditation online course are available here.