It takes mental toughness and patience to discuss yoga in this century. This ancient concept has somehow lost its real meaning through globalization. It is amazing to see the whole philosophy fueling yoga's methodology being reduced to a simple concept, justified by the need to make it easy for the layperson to understand. The complex nature of its contents may be a little challenging for westerners to understand.



It is unwise to gain a shallow knowledge about a diverse topic and yet speak about it from an expert's viewpoint. There is a tendency among the westerners to highlight only the physical aspects of yoga. There is more to yoga than the mere attainment of inner balance and serenity.

In reality, yoga practice is a very sacred journey that has roots buried deep within the scriptures of an ancient Holy book. In the faraway land of India, it is recognized as a spiritual practice that includes a series of complex and systematic physical moves. Most westerners would describe yoga as a physical practice. Most westerners are aware of the strange symbols associated with yoga practice, but often they are misunderstood. This discipline is practiced as a popular sport. It also does a good job attracting those who wish to obtain inner peace and balance in the midst of the hectic modern lifestyle. Nevertheless many have been attracted to yoga as a form of practice to achieve inner peace and balance.

The so called experts in this industry have been quick to use these promises and people have been fascinated. Fatal errors have been detected in the practice of yoga outside of India, showing the level of misunderstanding among the western practitioners. A closer look revealed that these errors were caused by the cultural influence of each race. Apparently, the west is not prepared to spend too much time in meaningful contemplations of this philosophy, hence the resulting fatal error due to a lack of understanding.

Sometimes, the most important part of this practice is neglected, for instance the essential meditation. The greed for power and material wealth which is integral in the western culture has no place in the Hindu culture. Unless these values are changed, it is impossible for westerners to achieve the true wisdom and enlightenment as defined by the parameters of the Hindu religion. One crucial aspect essential for a successful meditative session is time and patience. This is what the westerners lack. The west seems cursed with the obsession to pursue the goal of building better lives in the form of lavish lifestyles and not in the philosophical way.

Ironically, yoga has been implemented as fashion in the western part of the world. There is a lot of information going out promoting yoga as a form of sport. Fans of famous people who later become fake gurus are adamant about supporting their idol and his practice. The growing influence of this unhealthy philosophy is attributed to the disciples who are loyal in spreading the word about the advantages of adopting this crooked form of yogic philosophy.