The Yoga Drama

Amidst the hectic activity leading to the International Yoga Day celebrations that the government is taking up in the most extravagant and prestigious way, are the voices of dissent that attribute religious colours to the ancient science of wellness. Ironically, “Asanas” are a very small part of the 196 Yoga sutras (aphorisms) given to the world by the great (sage) Maharshi Patanjali more than five thousand years ago. Yet, they are central to the whole Yoga debate

The West has taken to Yoga as an effective antidote to neutralise the effects of a hectic consumerist life style dominated by instant communication, gratification, consumption and redemption. Yoga mats, attire and gurus running ethnic Yoga centres are endorsed by celebrities and commoners alike, making it one of the most fashionable workouts ever.

The celebration of Yoga with renewed vigour, thanks to the initiative of the government in the country of its origin and the declaration of June 21 as “International Yoga day” by the United Nations with the support of more than 170 nations, is being viewed as a diplomatic victory of sorts by the Narendra Modi government. Thanks to continuous advertisements on the small screen with various celebrities reeling out the benefits of Yoga as well as discussions and debates over the Central government decision to make Yoga compulsory, we are seeing notes of dissent from different quarters. “The religious aspect” is the most vociferous of all dissensions. This is not surprising given the fact that parties with the “secular tag” toe this line against the BJP led “saffron brigade” on every debate be it food, entertainment, sport or politics. There are also people’s movements and leftist ideologues branding what they describe as the “Yoga drama” an attempt to marginalise sections of society and impose a “mono culture” that threatens personal freedom through the ‘diktat’ or government order.

Ironically “Asanas” are a very small part of the 196 Yoga sutras (aphorisms) given to the world by the great (sage) Maharshi Patanjali more than five thousand years ago. Yet they are central to the whole Yoga debate.

It is said that the mind is like the “Queen Bee” with all other senses following it and our breath is a tool to calm the mind. From the Vedas emerged six fundamental systems of Indian thought of which the Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs) of Patanjali is one. This is also referred to as Raja Yoga. The Asanas that many see as work outs are a part of these aphorisms and help us gain equanimity through the body- mind – emotion triangle, which is the key to Patanjali’s simplest and most effective definition “Chitta Vritti Nirodah” or silencing the modifications of mind. Subsequent aphorisms that state “Sthiram, Sukham Asanam” (Steady and comfortable postures) and “Thatho Dwanda Asanam”(Freedom from duality) suggest that he who has mastered “Yogic postures” or “Asanas” can face the dualities of the world with ease. It is not surprising then, that regulation of life energy in the form of breath “Pranayama” and “Yogasanas” have caught the imagination of the world and set trends that have transcended borders.

We have many schools of Yoga in the country today with variations in the postures and methods adopted but the “heart of Yoga” is universal. There are different perceptions pertaining to Yoga. For some, it is just a physical exercise for better health, others, a stress buster. A few recommend it for concentration and yet others see it as a tool for spiritual progress. Yoga and Naturopathy centres are now attached to various hospitals where several patients suffering from cancer, musculo- skeletal disorders and gynaecological problems are taught Yoga to help them deal with both the side effects of medicine and the mental preparedness to bear with the disease. The list of celebrities who swear by Yoga for “holistic development,’ within our country and outside is therefore a long one. We have names like Charlize Theron, Demi Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Madonna, Kate Hudson and a whole long list of celebrities from the West who are often seen in Yoga gear and swear by its results. Back home, we have videos showing our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the man credited with bringing Yoga to the fore doing all the asanas and breathing exercises with enthusiasm. Many fellow politicians and Bollywood actresses like Rani Mukherjee, Sonam Kapoor. Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu...and a long list of heroes and heroines say their day is incomplete without Yoga. We also have actresses like Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta with their Yoga DVDs. So, how has the religious angle crept into the Yoga scene in India when most celebrities in the West are unconcerned and cool about it? Dissent is at the essence of politics many would say in reply.

“Aum’ and “Suryanamaskarams” are two aspects of Yogasanas raising the heckles of many who see it as a religious activity, which should be limited to a particular religion and not imposed on all and sundry despite many eminent Muslims clerics and educationists who practice Yoga rooting for it. This has led to these aspects being omitted altogether in many venues during Yoga day celebrations. Dr CV Rao, Director Kapila Maharshi Research for Resources who has been practising and teaching Yoga for decades, firmly believes that the awareness being created about the benefits of Yoga is to be applauded and the efforts to introduce our culture to citizens who think everything from the West is the best, welcomed. “Yogasanas are done with emphasis on our breath, which purifies our body of toxins and our mind of impure thoughts. It is not merely another physical exercise that helps one acquire a better physique but a tool to acquire both inner and outer purity. The “Suryanamaaskarams” at the centre of all the religious talk are not in the Patanjali texts but have been introduced much later with no clear idea about how they originated. They are however a very powerful exercise that address six vital organs of our body and should be practised by all,” he feels.

Opponents dub the Yoga activity as extreme “Exhibitionism” and an attempt by the government to clarify its saffron leanings. T Ramesh , State general Secretary of the Jana Vignana Vedika is vehement in his criticism of the government imposing a mono-culture on people by turning a blind eye to several sections like the Tribals and Adivasis and other labour whose life is defined by extreme physical labour. They do not require to do these asanas, which are more suited for the rich and leisurely according to him. “The exercise that I choose to do should be of my choice. I can walk, swim, jog or cycle depending on my inclination. How can the government impose something on me and say “do it”, he questions. Further there are many people from the Scandivanian countries who do no Yoga whatsoever and are absolutely healthy according to him. He is also critical of the million dollar Yoga empires built by gurus who stake a claim at getting the best results from sustained practise of the “Yoga variety” credited to them.

There is also a differing viewpoint about looking at everything from the cause and effect angle. Yoga is to be practised in order to become more inward looking (Antarmukham) and not designed to tackle the question - “what will I derive from this? Unfortunately the question is uppermost in the minds of today’s youth according to Astro-Psychologist SV Nagnath. “Yoga and meditation are practises that break our virtual identity derived from attachment to material things and worldly success. Looking inwards helps us set goals in keeping with our calling rather than based on goals set by society and external forces, which in itself create stress’ he opines. Whatever the views expressed, it is clear that this ancient practise is undoubtedly a treasure that is to be cherished, practised, preserved and revered. Physical wellness, concentration, enhanced consciousness and fulfilment are qualities that are desired equally by all the people of the world whatever religion, caste, creed or nationality they belong to. The list of Yoga schools, masters, newer forms and variants may be long and endless but the goals are the same. The celebration of “International Yoga day” is recognition of the power of Yoga as an agent of change, a tool for transformation and a practise that aligns individual consciousness with the Universal energy. As the world wakes up to Yoga and meditation, those who have any misgivings about it would do well to sit still and watch their breath.

Aruna Ravikumar