Sure, yoga is an ancient tradition rich with spiritual teachings that transcend time and space, and can be universally applied in anyone’s life. But realistically, how many people in today’s society are able to easily dedicate themselves to a study developed in a context so very different from our own? Most of us have yoga teachers, but not gurus able to commit endless hours to individual attention. We need the physical practice to move our often stationary bodies, and the stillness practice to quiet our stressed-out minds.
Fortunately there is a whole new breed of yoga teachers and practitioners who have applied beautiful and relevant teachings in new and creative ways. They have created styles of yoga that are still reverent to the spiritual power of this practice, but make sense within our current context. By working things that our society assigns meaning to into the practice, yoga becomes even more universally accessible – there really is a style and a class for everybody.
For example, this Vancouver teacher includes his background in musical theatre in his classes. There is partner yoga, acro-yoga, even nude yoga (not advocating, just providing information!). Yoga done on slack lines (like a low tight-rope tied between two trees), and of course yoga fused with dance. There are more styles, and names of styles, than anyone could possibly keep track of, but this website provides a comprehensive dictionary of yoga practices and what they are about.
So what does this mean for you? Just know that you have the freedom to make this practice your own. Notice which parts of your yoga practice make you feel lighter – what makes you smile. Feel free to experiment in combining yoga with other passions you have in life. Try different styles, and always know that your teacher is your friend – so if there is something you are curious about, just ask! Find the best way for YOU to connect with yoga – and do more of that.