Traditional Yoga V/S Modern Yoga - Differences You Need to Know 

Trending fitness challenges on various social media handles is an excellent example of becoming more conscious than ever. Right from Narendra Modi to Virat Kohli, well-known personalities came forward to support this movement. They uploaded their fitness videos, whipping up citizens to focus on living a healthy life. The efforts of our Honourable Prime Minister and many other traditional yoga gurus will be remembered by many generations. 

People from all across the globe followed these idols and started making fitness videos over social media handles. Many of them began doing yoga asanas to get into shape and remain fit. Yoga can help you become physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially fit and healthy.  

Modern Yoga V/S Traditional Yoga Philosophy

The modern perception has recently taken a turn. The typical perception of Yoga has drifted, particularly from the past few decades. The main reason behind this sudden drift is the alterations made in the west, particularly in the United States (US). 

Now, let's understand the traditional and modern views of success with Yoga one by one:

1. Traditional View of Success with Yoga 

For all the ancients and traditional Yoga Gurus, Yoga is a system in which the Yoga postures are small but valuable. It is more about spirituality and ways to attain it. Traditional Yoga focuses on providing spiritual enlightenment where students meet the ultimate goal of meeting the divine. According to the conventional view, success depends upon how a person experiences self-realization and enlightenment. 

2. Modern View of Success with Yoga 

According to the modern view, Yoga means attaining the physical body and reducing physical illness. The goal of modern-day Yoga is nothing but to achieve physical and mental stability. While the importance of modern Yoga may have increased over the years, there is still some movement towards providing yoga teacher training that focuses on the authenticity of Yoga. It seems that the pendulum has swung so that people turn back to the real roots of authentic Yoga. 

What is the Difference between Traditional and Modern Yoga?

By gazing at the thoughts mentioned above, it can be cumbersome to choose the right path. Have a look at the top differences between Traditional and Modern Yoga so that you can choose the best you need in your life.

• Modern Yoga emphasizes physical yoga practice, whereas the traditional one is a practice of spiritual self-realization. 
• Traditional Yoga emphasizes nurturing ethical-moral purity, intense focus, purity, and a consistent commitment to the practice. On the other hand, modern one doesn't insist upon these attributes. 
• Traditional Yoga may not begin with the body and the asana, whereas modern Yoga begins with the body through the asana's aspect. 
• Modern Yoga emphasizes different ways of performing yoga asana, whereas Traditional Yoga focuses on Yoga types that are different orientations that point towards self-realization. 
• Modern Yoga requires a studio or a center for yoga teacher training. Traditional Yoga, on the other hand, may or may not need an ashram for training and practice. 
• Traditional Yoga stems out essentially from the geographical region of South-Asia and India. Modern Practices don't have a geographical origin as such. 

Traditional Yoga - Things You Must be Aware Of! 

To reap the maximum benefits of Yoga, you need to unlearn whatever you need to know about this practice and look at it from a new perspective. For this, you need to first learn about the oldest holistic healthcare system and understand that the Yoga practice is not just limited to the asanas. It consists of an eightfold approach in which the first four are called Bahiranga Sadhana (external process), and the last four are called Antaranga Sadhana (Internal process).

 Have a Look at the 8 Yoga Sutras one by one:

1. Yama 

It deals with ethical standards and a sense of integrity. The five Yamas are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha. 

2. Niyama 

It ensures that a person leads a moral life through good actions. It involves purification of the mind and body by washing and taking pure food and cultivating good emotions. 

3. Asana 

It covers various postures and times in which you can practice these postures while staying relaxed and comfortable. 

4. Pranayama 

It means the regulation of breath, which is significant in erasing negative thoughts and instilling positive ones. 

5. Pratyahara 

It covers the process of consciously shutting the mind processes and distracting yourself so that you can direct your mind towards spiritual development. 

6. Dharana 

It deals with the science of concentration and holding one's consciousness in a particular state of being. 

7. Dhyana 

It is the ultimate state of awareness without a particular focus. Practicing Dhyana results in a pure mind that makes you capable of achieving anything. 

8. Samadhi 

It is the final step in which your mind becomes so quickly absorbed in the object that it loses awareness of its self. This path leads to pure joy and puts you in an ecstatic state. 

Start Your Yoga Journey Now 

The conclusion is that traditional yoga practices are wonderfully structured to achieve the optimum body and mind structuring.  

If you intend to make the world a peaceful place, you must start with yourself first. You can't pour from an empty cup. So, to be the facilitator of other's Yoga journeys, you need to facilitate your journey first. 

Do you want to dive deep into the Yogic world? Well, both traditional and modern Yoga goes hand in hand. Where Traditional Yoga focuses on spirituality, modern Yoga focuses on the physical aspects. So, start your Yoga journey now and become a certified yoga teacher.