This is an article about how modern yoga classes miss the mark and why understanding the 'Why' and 'How' of yogic practices is essential.
As a Yoga Saadhak, teacher, evaluator, and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I’m blessed to have had the privilege of guiding quite a few on their wellness journeys. However, in the last few years, as work and travel consumed much of my time, I found myself unable to lead yoga sessions as regularly as before. Despite this, yoga never left me (how could it, it is yoga that chooses you and not the other way around) and many people reached out, eager to discuss their personal practice, share their experiences in classes with other teachers, or seek advice - I am forever grateful to all those who did.
These conversations led me to an unsettling realization about the current "market" of yoga classes.
So often, I hear phrases like, “Breathe from your spine,” “Breathe from your face,” or “Breathe from your toes.” And every time, I can’t help but think, how exactly do you want me to breathe from the back of my neck? These instructions, while perhaps well-intentioned, seem to be just empty jargon. They may sound poetic, but they do little to guide someone in their practice. In many cases, these words create confusion rather than clarity.
This brings me to the larger issue at hand: yoga classes today often feel mechanical, like a gym workout rather than a deeply rooted, intentional practice. There’s a significant gap in understanding—both in how practices are done, may it be Asanas, Pranayamas, Mudras, Kriyas and even Meditation, and why they’re done in the first place. This completely misses the true essence of yoga.
I’m often asked, “Do you practise yoga every day?” or "Are you able to keep up with your yoga practice despite work". These questions are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what yoga truly is. Perhaps what they mean to ask is whether I practice Asanas, Pranayamas, or Meditation daily. These are just a fraction—maybe 10%—of what yogic practices encompass. For me, yoga is not just a set of physical exercises; it’s a way of life. It’s the philosophy by which I live every moment, how I breathe every breath. It’s not something I do; it’s the nature of existence for me.
And yet, I hear from friends who tell me they’re doing 50, 70, or even 108 Suryanamaskars in one go and then they mention that they’ve developed back pain from it and/or feel drained and exhausted after their yoga class. I can’t help but wonder—what exactly is being taught in the name of yoga and why aren't teachers taking the well-being of their students as their primary responsibility? Suryanamaskar, when done with awareness. with the right movement of breath, bhava and body is a powerful practice. But without proper understanding and guidance, it can lead to injury, as it clearly has for so many.
Even meditation for that matter - people who are struggling with overthinking, depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns take up meditation, just because it is popular, without knowing that meditation expands our current state of being, which leads to people complaining of discomfort or even not being able to keep their eyes closed for a little while because it feels like a struggle.
PS: Someday I should write an entire article about how many people I have seen run out of a meditation class, I being one of them, in my first experience of guided meditation, when I was 17.
By this point, you might think I sound like an ancient, orthodox grandma clinging to outdated ideas. But these conversations genuinely pain my heart. I feel a deep sense of responsibility because I’ve stayed quiet for too long. I set out on this journey in 2020 to be an advocate for wellness, stemming from my own struggles, to champion the fundamental right to health—a right that, by the way, isn’t even recognized in most constitutions. And yet, here I am, watching as yoga—this beautiful, transformative practice—is diluted into something almost unrecognizable.
I wish more people would ask, “Why am I doing this?” and “How should it be done correctly?” These are the questions that lead to true understanding and growth. Even when I was leading regular group sessions, I found myself going back to the basics whenever a new participant joined. I wanted everyone to grasp the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ before moving forward.
The reality is that yoga is not just about getting on the mat and doing some poses. It’s about understanding the philosophy behind every practice and how they connect to a broader way of living purposely. It’s about taking those lessons off the mat and into your daily life, creating a life of balance, peace, and wellness.
That’s why I’ve developed a 21-day program. It’s an introductory or preparatory course designed to help you understand the basics of yoga and yogic practices. This program isn’t just for beginners—it’s for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding and ensure they’re on the right path. By the end of it, you’ll be equipped to develop your own practice and approach yoga sessions with a new level of awareness and intention.
In a world where we’re constantly moving, always busy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing things mechanically—without thought, without intention...just with a want to achieve something out of it. But yoga is a practice that demands more from us. It asks us to be present, to be mindful, and to approach each moment with awareness.
So, let’s take a step back. Let’s return to the roots of yoga, to the practices that have stood the test of time because they work. Let’s move forward with a clear understanding of what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how it will benefit us—not just in the short term, but for the rest of our lives.
I invite you to join me on this journey. Let’s rediscover yoga together—not as a workout, but as a way of life. Know More.
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