Archive for Wednesday 13th November 2002 - Yoga
Is commercialisation robbing yoga of its soul?

Purists believe that as it becomes ever more trendy to take up yoga, its essence - the quest for an inner enlightenment - is being lost.

Yoga is now used by advertisers to sell anything from cars to alcohol. But, according to Mark Forstater, co-author of The Spiritual Teachings of Yoga, this is no bad thing. “I don’t share the purist view. I believe that it does not matter what attracts people to yoga - vanity, rock stars or fashion icons. Although, at first they might just experience the body and mind but they will move on and go deeper within themselves. In this way any superficial motives are transcended.”

Millions attend weekly yoga classes worldwide. Essential to meaningful yoga experience, according to Forstater, is a teacher who suits your needs. He says: “There are as many yogas, as there are people. And every teacher has a different focus, so it is best to shop around.” This need is echoed by one of the great modern exponents of the art, B.K.S Iyengar, in his recently republished classic, Light on the Yoga Sutras: “It is difficult to learn through books, but they are our only means until we come across that rarity, a true teacher or master.” In the search for a yoga teacher, personal recommendation is the best starting point. Alternatively you can contact the British Wheel of Yoga (www.bwy.org.uk).

In these uncertain times, Forstater believes that yoga, which literally means ‘union with God’, is a real antidote to fear and misunderstanding. “Once you understand yourself, fear disappears. Yoga can definitely help you do that. And that’s enlightenment - understanding yourself and being totally comfortable in your own skin.”

To order your copy of The Spiritual Teachings of Yoga at £7.99 (p&p is free) and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, at £13.99 (p&p is free), call 0870 0703 200 or send a cheque or PO payable to Mirror Direct, PO Box 60, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0TP. Offer open to UK residents only.

Mark Winter