The last decade has shown a compelling evolution in the trend of yoga especially in how Western cultures have modified, integrated, and molded this practice to make it more adaptable and engaging. Much of these adaptations come from the desire to commercialize yoga into a product and, through this commercialization, we can often see how the traditional practice delivered from the East has been diluted with the attitudes of materialism and physicality. It is no surprise with this trend to see that yoga is now greatly marketed and perceived primarily as a ‘workout’. This brings forth a basic question: “Is it wrong to practice yoga only with the intention that it is a workout that generates physical benefits?”

We first should address the definition of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the practice of yoga poses which were designed to revitalize and bring balance to the musculoskeletal and glandular systems. Hatha Yoga encompasses all forms of asana performance: Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Yin Yoga, Power Yoga etc. Within this definition, one can conclude that Hatha Yoga is meant to act as a conditioning of the physical body. Through a healthier body, one can then move forward into the practice of pranayama and meditation (as well as other forms of Yoga) to develop the connection to Self.

The second concept to address is tantra. Yoga developed out of the concept of tantra, which, in a simplified approach, is the practice of producing thoughts, actions, and intentions that foster goodness and betterment for yourself and the environment around you. Tantra basically encourages one to always be moving forward through life with positive harmonious energy.

While keeping the definition of Hatha Yoga and tantra in mind, one can present a valid point that it may not be wrong to solely practice Yoga on the physical level and to treat the postures as an opportunity to ‘work’ the body. If one is creating a healthy body through yoga exercises, is this not a form of tantra – a positive action that benefits the practitioner and the environment? For those, including myself, who choose to integrate a deep routed sense of spirituality in their yoga practice, who are we to say that those who practice with a “yoga workout’ mentality are lacking within the practice and are not spiritual? Yoga is simply a tool for developing connection to the Inner Self. Many are capable of attaining this connection without the need to perform traditional yogic exercises and meditation.

As well, scientific evidence has shown that the bodily is highly adaptable and in order for the body to be conditioned into a fit, healthy state, it needs to be worked. Hatha Yoga poses and flows offer this physical conditioning in some of the most effective forms. It takes applied, yet holistic effort to progress and sustain the benefits of the Hatha Yoga practice.

The question that I view as more important to present to those who treat yoga purely as a workout is: Does this practice of physicality bring you to a better internal place where you feel closer to being complete with your existence? This is not a question of spirituality as this holds validity with traditional exercise activities as well. By ‘working-out’, do you embrace the positive benefits of becoming a stronger, healthier person? Or does an air of judgment continuously linger where you place inner value based on this shell of muscle, bones, and skin? Is your physical practice motivated by external influences? An extreme, yet good example: for someone who does steroids to gain size and performance benefits, does their ‘practice’ make them a stronger person inside or is this extreme attachment to the physical body taking them down a path of negative inner value? This is no different than someone who is obsessed with getting their foot behind their head – is your inner value based on your ability to do the splits?

Putting these concepts of inner value aside, a clear issue is becoming more and more evident with the trend of presenting yoga as a form of a ‘workout’. Participants who are readily guided into a practice of physicality quite often possess competitive tendencies in their character. With all the wondrous benefits of flexibility and strength, yoga can also direct severe chronic and acute injuries into those who ignore the inner guidance systems of nerve receptors and proprioception mechanisms. The Ego loves to fuel the competitive fire within us and this clouds the guidance system sending many people far too deep into poses.

As much as yoga is receiving rave recognition, it is also incurring increasing backlash from traditional health care providers who are seeing increasing incidences of musculoskeletal injuries due to aggressive yoga practices. In our attempt to validate yoga as viable form of alternative and preventive healthcare, the actions of some present growing argument for the healthcare community that yoga is a ‘dangerous’ practice.

The conflict of yoga becoming purely a physical practice will undoubtedly continue as the trend of ‘yoga workouts’ shows signs of profound growth potential in the marketplace. It is important for those who desire to take on only the physical practice to, at the very least, develop their practice with teachers who offer depth in experience, knowledge, and application. With proper guidance, one can avoid injury and generate a long-term program offering holistic progression. Some final questions remain: What will happen to yoga when its’ ‘workout trendiness’ fades? Will the current attention given to well-being and holistic sustainability keep yoga as a familiar component in our culture or will yoga dissolve into the background of other trends as it did in the 60s?

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