The Evolution of Yoga - Fad or Fiction?
Ananda - In the Himalayas Remains True to the Source
7th July 2004 – The 21st century has brought us the Aquatic, Aerobic, and rumour has it even Skydiving Yoga! Whatever next? We are so absorbed in the latest fashions, fads and trends that we have forgotten the true meaning and nature of Yoga. Developed in India, Yoga is a psychophysical discipline with roots going back around 5,000 years. Today, most ‘Yoga’ practices in the West have been altered and adapted to fit into ‘lifestyles’.
This is something that Ananda Yoga Master, Ram Kumar Gupta, is passionate about, "Yoga at Ananda is more holistic and based on the traditional form of Hatha Yoga. The beauty of traditional yoga is that even when you practice only posture, it takes care of everything, body, mind and soul. Traditional yoga is more effective in facilitating self-realisation, which is the actual goal of yoga."
Overlooking Rishikesh - the birthplace of India’s ancient arts of Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda - Ananda is a luxury destination spa that adheres to and practises these ancient arts. The resort steers away from the fad that has become the norm of the 21st century and concentrates on these philosophies, incorporating the five elements, to restore the body’s balance and harmonising energy.
This ancient Yogic Indian philosophy is a disciplined way of living, encompassing all aspects of life, working on different levels to balance the mind, body and spirit. Reviewing almost any lists of the best-known 10 to 12 modern Yoga styles will quickly reveal that nearly all of the modern Yoga styles have been invented in the last few decades. Ananda selects their teachers, therapists, healers, Ayurvedic doctors and guides so that they share their talents and gifts that have been passed down through their family for generations.
Ananda provides the practical knowledge and encouragement to break with old habits and start a new life, a journey that the guest will be inspired to pursue once he or she has returned home. At this point, yoga will have become a ‘way of life’ and not merely a lifestyle. No new incarnation can beat the original.
