Yoga: a living philosophy

Anyone who believes that his asanas are an Indian export product from bygone times, is a bit wrong on the mat. The truth: Yoga is a living philosophy that has been reinvented over the last few decades.

There were once four men who went to India in search of their inner peace. Wrapped in white robes, they practiced meditating before the eyes of the whole world. The legendary Ashram flying visit by John, Paul, George and Ringo was almost too much for even the relaxed hippie zeitgeist. Curious everyone wondered what the four musicians were doing at the end of the 60s? "With their trips to India, the Beatles have aroused interest in yoga in our Western world," says Lalleshvari, founder of City Yoga in Berlin, looking back on the early whirlwind of yoga.

People were tired of religion, they were looking for being different and 'making love' instead of 'you must not'- index finger. Yoga filled the resulting emptiness very well, and on a broad basis, one opened up for spirituality. "This Zeitgeist awakened the tradition of yoga, which has been dormant in Germany for decades, and which has almost been forgotten today. Because yoga is by far not an Indian long-term export hit, which permanently creates the last yoga cry.

On the contrary: long before the Beatles, the world was occupied with the collections of ancient life philosophy and styles that have evolved to our modern yoga - an evolution far from the country of origin. "Yoga has an unbelievable power, vitality and versatility and is discovered in the essence more and more," says Anna Trökes, non-medical practitioner from Berlin, who teaches since 1974 the whole range of Hatha Yoga. "The Europeans and Americans were so passionate about yoga that the Indians said that there must be something in it."

Early pioneers

In Germany, exactly 40 years ago, the early pioneers joined together to form the Professional Association of Yoga Teachers (BDY). An initial spark that paved the way in community colleges and church institutions. If you practiced the asanas until now usually behind closed doors for books, you could now together in public "dog", "tree" or "cobra" practice. As one of the pioneers opened in Nuremberg, the adult education center for aspiring yogis, as Marco Bielser of the BZ Nuremberg recalls: "We offered the first course in 1958 and soon realized that yoga has much more potential and must get out of the esoteric corner . "

Because even in the oh-so-liberated 70s, the resentment was still great. While adventurers try Indian traditions such as Sivananda, Iyengar or Viniyoga, as a precaution others rely on the relaxation effect. In 1972, for example, VITAL readers were allowed to set aside the "confusing variety of yoga styles, a bit of humbug with long-gurus and a labyrinthine philosophy," just to relax.

Even in the fitness-minded 80s, VITAL gymnastics focused primarily on relaxation - although the asanas were turned on in the hip Jane Fonda look. The relax cliché lasted until the 1990s: om singing to patchouli fragrance, the back room trimmed in India atmosphere and the total relaxation under the guru likeness on the sheepskin. "At some point I felt that the how did not suit me and the demands that my life made on me. I wanted to feel physically more intense, "recalls yoga teacher Sonja Eigenbrod from Berlin to her rebellion against the traditional styles back.

Probates self-help

"The modern forms of yoga have adapted to our Western needs without losing the essence. It has made them livelier and more dynamic. "This" westernization "has spawned styles such as Anusara, Ashtanga, and Jivamukti, which have developed in the US and have been blowing fresh winds over our mats for about ten years. Fitness studios and health insurances can no longer shy away from that - since the year 2000, the demand for yoga has steadily increased. Insured persons receive a financial subsidy for prevention courses. Yoga schools are experiencing an influx of stressed and cramped city dwellers.

The trio of body, breathing and meditation exercises promises no longer just bliss, but health, fitness and wellbeing and has become a tried and tested self-help tool in VITAL. Scientific studies on the effectiveness and sound training of yoga teachers have made yoga an accepted therapy against many of the diseases of our modern society. "We apply biomechanical knowledge and pay attention to how we stress the muscles," says Lalleshvari, the first Anusara teacher in Germany ds. "The old styles had to be further developed because we differed from an Indian body on the constitutional and the movement plane." Today traditional and modern styles form a peaceful potpourri. "There are endless possibilities to approach the knowledge of yoga - and everyone can choose a path," says Anna Trökes. "Even though the shape is slightly different, all styles have a common goal: they want to create the unity between body, mind and breath." And that's what the Beatles were looking for ...

Yoga for sports

In the first (figure) line, do you want a hard-working workout that brings body, strength and stamina into shape? Then these styles are suitable for you - crunchy curves and fitness included. The classic: The physical Hatha Yoga was originally created as an antipole to the spiritual forms. Most people of our culture practice this contemporary evergreen, from which many other styles have emerged. Hatha yoga provides a balance between body and mind through asanas (body exercises), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. Since courses are offered almost everywhere, this style is well suited for beginners who want to learn the basic techniques and get a taste of yoga.

Pure training: In ashtanga yoga, the asanas are demanding, the tempo is high, and there is the right breathing rhythm. This dynamic style is completed in a set of practice series, the difficulty levels are increased. If you want to exhaust yourself and get power and endurance on your toes, this is the right place. Fitness-Workout: Power-Yoga is a very fit variation and takes place especially in gyms or community colleges. Based on Ashtanga yoga, the holistic yoga idea is largely reduced to physical fitness. The asanas are practiced fluently and held for five breaths each. The most athletic yoga form ever. For those who want to renounce spiritual dogmas.

Yoga for spiritual

Are you curious to go in search of your inner self and explore the big picture? With these yoga styles you can go on a journey of discovery. Enlightenment: Kundalini Yoga is designed to awaken our "serpent power" and allow it to rise in our spine. The series of exercises consist of postures and dynamic exercises, some of which are repeated for several minutes. Through breathing techniques, mantras and meditation the body is cleansed - here spiritual seekers get their money's worth.

Soul Workout: Sivananda Yoga focuses on meditation and positive thinking. Twelve classical basic exercises from hatha yoga are combined in different variants with breathing techniques, the singing of mantras and deep relaxation. This brings holistic body, mind and soul on trot and provides relaxation. Moving meditation: Iyengar yoga emphasizes the slow and correct execution of the asanas, using blocks, straps, and benches. A concentrated and power-oriented yoga form.

Yoga for the sensual

You want the yogic all-around package - and feel the unity of body, mind and soul? These styles bring self-awareness and sensuality into practice. New perspectives: Anusara yoga emphasizes the correct alignment of the asanas to functionally and gently train the joints and spine. In doing so, one's own boundaries should be positively accepted - a life-affirming support even for retracted thought patterns. Yoga of Energy: Prana-Yoga brings body and mind into balance again through healing exercises - between tension and relaxation - so that our life energy can flow freely.

The gentle but intense style slows down the mind and helps to live in harmony with oneself. Therapeutic Yoga: Gentle Vini Yoga pays special attention to individual boundaries. Practitioners do not have to meet any standard, the asanas should meet their own needs - ideal for back pain or joint problems. Trendsetter: You like moving to music? Then you should try out the "invented" Jivamukti in New York. The demanding asanas are carried out fluently, the headstand turns our being upside down, and the fun exercises are constantly being varied. Everything in the flow: From the USA comes also Tri-Yoga, which stimulates the flow of energy in wave movements. Dynamic and held asanas are practiced with breathing exercises and mudras - special finger postures.