Yoga as a Lifestyle and Culture Part II

Tonight I took the 5:30 yoga flow class at Yoga Nine with Joyce again. She led us in a thorough, deep practice that focused on balance and worked the hamstrings. Since my last class I have been thinking more about yoga in the pop culture. I have been noticing the prevalence of yoga in today's society more and more outside of the studio.

For starters, I can differentiate between a person in workout clothes for the gym as well as a person in workout clothes for a yoga class. Yoga practitioners tend to invest in the expensive yoga workout brands such as LuLuLemon and LuLaRoe. Most of the time they are in floral or other crazy patterns and styles. Yoga practitioners in the West are majority women and majority middle class or wealthy. Although I am sure a lot more people would like to practice yoga, it does come with a price that some can not afford. These women pay for their practices and look good doing it.

Since today's culture is so engrossed with the ideal of physical fitness we see yoga being advertised for it's fitness benefits. Everyone wants to have a "yoga body" now. Many think that by practicing yoga as their form of exercise they will slim down, tone up, and become the epitome of beauty. Whereas before it came into the lime light many practiced for serenity and a healthy mind.

One final thing that I have noticed, which bothers me a little, is that many people do yoga to simply say "I do yoga." Because the practice is seen as almost the "cool thing to do" now, people need to make it known that they participate. It is great to post positive things about your practice and encourage others to join. However, more and more I find people who's mission it is to let others know that he or she is a yogi by posting all over social media and broadcasting their "zen" superiority for all to hear.

The fact that yoga is not so widespread in Western culture is something I find so amazing. Everyone should be aware that such an amazing practice is out there. However, I feel in order to get what you want out of your practice you have to be sincere in your attentions. Yoga should be practiced for the benefit of oneself. It doesn't matter how expensive the clothes on your back are, the body type you embody, or how many people know you practice. Yoga practice and yoga lifestyle is as beneficial as one makes it.