‘This is horrifying. This is madness’: the row over competitive yoga
Some yogis welcome the idea of competition – for others, it is anathema. Will those keen for yoga to become an Olympic sport win the argument?
TL;DR
- India is advocating for yogasana to be included in the Olympics and is hosting international competitions.
- Competitive yoga, termed 'yogasana', is presented as a way to attract youth to yogic principles through excitement and sport.
- Traditional yoga practitioners criticize the competitive format, arguing it contradicts yoga's emphasis on self-awareness and detachment from external validation.
- Proponents compare yogasana to gymnastics and talent shows, highlighting athletes' strength, balance, and discipline.
- Challenges exist for Olympic inclusion, including the need for more international affiliates and the fragmentation of organizing bodies.
- Some see competitive yoga as a means to measure personal progress and maintain practice motivation.
- The debate centers on whether the pursuit of external validation and scoring aligns with yoga's spiritual and ethical foundations.