Why Is The West Interested In Yoga

Here's a comprehensive summary of B.K.S. Iyengar's article "Why is the West Interested in Yoga?" from the provided Jain text:

The article explores the growing Western interest in Yoga, a practice deeply rooted in India's ancient culture and philosophy. Iyengar, a prominent Yoga teacher who has visited the West for decades, observes that the question of Yoga's popularity is frequently asked by Indians.

India's Cultural Richness and Yoga's Origin:

• Iyengar asserts that India, despite historical foreign rule and economic hardship, has been sustained by its enduring culture and faith in its philosophical thought and the "Inner Self."
• He highlights that Indian traditions, including the Hindu religion, are universal, offering human betterment and not being confined to any specific group.
• Yoga, he clarifies, is not new or foreign to India. It's an "ancient Art, the perfect science" developed by sages to guide individuals towards their "innermost truth."

The Meaning and Practice of Yoga:

• Yoga is defined as "Union" and an "evenness of attitude" in daily life, an inherent skill in action and meditation.
• Achieving this union requires stilling the mind and overcoming distractions. True Yoga, Iyengar emphasizes, leads to "purity in action, clarity in thought and stability in mind."

The Western Context and Search for Meaning:

• Iyengar notes that the West, while technologically advanced, has experienced a "spiritual void" due to the rise of materialism. This has led to a sense of discipline becoming mechanical and a "barren existence."
• Westerners are described as bored with materialism and actively searching for inner peace and something to fill the lack of spiritual connection in their lives and relationships. They feel happiness and peace elude them.
• The "art of living" has been diminished by a hectic lifestyle, superficial material comforts, and externally imposed discipline that has suppressed inner freedom.
• Despite societal freedoms like divorce, re-marriage, and independent living, Westerners struggle with mental and psychological issues, feeling "emotionally starved" and disconnected from their "inner life springs." They possess intellectual development but lack emotional depth.
• This spiritual and emotional emptiness drives them to seek solace and inspiration from the East, particularly Yoga, to regain "inner balance."

Misconceptions and the Role of Yoga:

• Iyengar recalls his early visits to the West, where he encountered gross misconceptions about Yoga, with people expecting demonstrations like glass chewing or fire walking. This highlighted the need to educate them about Yoga's true nature.
• He emphasizes that Yoga offers a path to liberate the mind from bondage and manage the mental pressures of modern life.

India's Neglect vs. The West's Adoption:

• Ironically, Iyengar observes that while the West embraces the Indian way of life for its simplicity, Indians are imitating Western lifestyles.
• He laments that India has neglected and is even forgetting its own rich heritage of Yoga, merely glorifying the past without practical application. Indians often live on ideals rather than moral principles, being slow and "slovenly in action" despite their humility.
• In contrast, the "Western mind is intellectually well-trained" and driven by action. When they commit to Yoga, they pursue it with perseverance and project it widely.

The Practicality and Universality of Yoga:

• Westerners, tired of theoretical lectures, sought practical and tangible aspects of Yoga. Iyengar's teaching focused on the co-ordination of body and mind through Yogasanas and Pranayama, emphasizing the spiritual awareness within each movement and breath.
• He notes that Westerners, with their supple bodies, easily performed asanas, but the challenge was to ensure they understood the mental and spiritual dimensions.
• The West's lifestyle, including habits like smoking and drinking, initially seemed incompatible with spiritual life. However, many practitioners, upon engaging in regular Yoga, voluntarily gave up these habits and social engagements.

The Popularization and Potential Distortion of Yoga:

• Iyengar acknowledges that Yoga's popularity can also lead to distortions. He worked to popularize Yoga in the 1950s and 60s and now feels a responsibility to correct misrepresentations.
• He criticizes the Westernized versions of Yoga presented in contexts like "Keep Fit" classes, which are often reduced to mere physical exercise. He stresses that while good health is a byproduct, Yoga's true purpose extends far beyond physical fitness.
• He expresses pride in his pupils who remain faithful to the original practice and are spreading it correctly.

Scientific Interest and the Future of Yoga:

• The scientific Western mind is also interested in Yoga's medical applications. Western doctors are actively testing claims of Yoga's benefits for conditions like heart disease, blood pressure, and diabetes.
• Research by Western doctors has confirmed that genuine and correct Yoga practice, not just superficial routines, yields beneficial physiological, psychological, and psychosomatic results.
• Iyengar concludes by suggesting that these doctors might ultimately prove Yoga's efficacy to the world.

In essence, Iyengar argues that the West's interest in Yoga stems from a deep-seated need for spiritual fulfillment, inner peace, and a counterpoint to the materialism and spiritual void of modern life. While India has produced this ancient wisdom, it has somewhat neglected it, whereas the West, with its intellectual drive and desire for practical solutions, is eagerly adopting and exploring its profound benefits.