Many people think of yoga as movement, especially in the more popularized forms of yoga in the West. The more athletic “work-out” yoga classes tend to have people flock to them. Recently a student, who was from India (!), said “I know yoga is more than exercise but I really prefer a class that feels like a work-out”. Ah, the type A driven “gotta get a work out in” mentality. This same student had also recently pulled her back out.

People also often ask me why I think yoga has become so popular in the United States (and all over the world). Yoga in itself has become and is called the yoga movement. And it really has moved! Even if the people doing yoga view yoga as nothing more than a good work-out, maybe the reason it is so popular is that, for a small part of their busy and/or stressed out day, their body and mind and breath get to be the focus. They feel better, and even if they don’t know exactly why or do not view yoga as more than exercise, they are receiving the benefits to some degree and ultimately in these moments away from their “ real” life moving toward what the yoga sutras (scriptures) say is the purpose of yoga – “To cease or still the fluctuations of the mind”.

In my yoga practice I have noticed, and in the practice of students who seem to have a need to more very quickly, the element of being in the moment, truly experiencing the pose only happens when you don’t rush and instead fully concentrate your mind, body and breath on what you are doing, whether it be moving or holding. Without this, the posture becomes messy and unfocused, even if it does not lead to (and it can) injury. In the Ashtanga practice, developed by the late Pattabhis Jois (who passed away just this past May, 2009 at age 94) the order of the poses (there are 6 Series in total) is the same each time. This gives the opportunity to deepen your practice, develop patience, and make your practice richer and stronger with time. Even as it appears you are just doing the same thing over and over day in and day out (you are!) for years, there IS movement in your yoga practice, movement forward in strength, flexibility and all the other gifts yoga practice can give you (clearer mind, healthier living habits and body, better breathing). You might even possibly move on to the next series though rushing does not lead to proficiency. Even if you don’t progress to the next series (I have been working on Series One for ten years) you are moving forward in your yoga practice. Yoga practice, in it subtlety, helps us learn how to move through life with its joys, challenges and disappointments. In the few times I had the honor and privilege to take a class with Pattabhis Jois in NYC (along with at least 200 other students) he led the class in a kind commanding fashion, clearly communicating in the way he counted that we were to do this all at the same pace. If some rushed ahead (the subtext, I felt was Ego and eagerness) he stopped the count or repeated over and over again that same count till everyone moved back or waited to ultimately be together and in the moment.

Inspiring in the yoga movement is the number of people practicing yoga who have made major movement in their own lives- our from under the veil of addiction (there are tons of these stories among both teachers and students). People have come into a stronger more centered place in their lives simply by practicing yoga.

The yoga movement itself has swollen into something commercialized and advertised. When I first started there was barely a teacher training to be found. Kundalini Yoga, my first yoga, did not even have a formal teacher training yet. Now there are almost too many choices in teacher trainings. Students are flocking to teacher trainings in hopes of furthering their practice, integrating the work into their lives more or becoming teachers themselves in some capacity. There are expensive yoga clothes and “in” teachers who become the models for those clothes, yoga mats or other yoga-related products. The yoga movement has morphed into a huge commercial endeavor, with franchises like Yogaworks spreading through the country.

Where will this movement all lead? Who knows? At the same time as our world speeds forward with constantly changing technology and we race to try to save the environment and our planet has the yoga movement taken us to a calmer, more balanced place where we can learn to “cease the fluctuations of the mind,” or has it also just become a part of our manic type-A competitive judgmental society?

A guest at our retreat recounted a story of a large group of students at a well know large retreat center that she has loved to go to. The group had just finished their course with the famous teacher, well known for his “killer warrior classes.” Whereupon they literally stomped into the dining room, which had closed after lunch, demanding their lunch, which was not even a part of their “package” as their course was officially completed. They were so rude, intimidating and mean to the volunteer that she decided she would never again volunteer when this person had a group there.

The question I ponder, and address in this article is... is it possible for all the “ambitious yogis” to take a step back, somehow be humbled, and realize that manners, kindness and compassion are more important in yoga practice than what postures we can attain and what “in” teacher we study with? Or is it simply to accept what my teacher Yoga Bhajan said: “We are spiritual beings having a human experience” and leave it at that?”

This fall they have their second yoga and walking trip to Tuscany, Itlay October 27th-November 3rd with Lucia Reardon from southern Maine and their first (small!) teacher training starting in October (starting Columbus day weekend for 9 days and also for 9 days in February and May to complete a 200 Hour Yoga Alliance training. Information for retreats, Italy and the training can be found at www.sewallhouse.com or by calling toll free 888-235-2395. Sewall House was chosen one of the Top Ten Yoga Retreats worldwide (#3) by Gayot online this year.