Moving forward is
essential... But let’s do so authentically
D
riving through the streets of Doha we notice the contrast between old and new. Traditional and modern. Though updated with air conditioning, swanky restaurants and 5-star hotels, Souq Waqif has preserved the traditional look and feel of walking amidst small shops, where haggling over prices is the expectation. Contrasted to that is Msheireb where the old has been bulldozed and wiped clean, replaced with new structures complete in the latest in design and green technologies; a benchmark in modern, sustainable architecture. With Qatar’s rapid growth it’s a challenge maintaining traditions while moving forward to become an economic and cultural competitor on the world stage. Within our families, the same can be true. The push - pull of traditions, passed down from our ancestors clashing with a younger generation’s life with technology and cultural diversity that comes with globalisation. Similarly, the environment. Finding the balance between our population’s expansion into spaces that were once wilderness and the need to preserve our ‘mother earth’. This constant conflict between old vs. new, traditional vs. modern pervades almost every aspect of our life. Ongoing debate among the yoga world is: do we keep the old traditions, or move forward and modernise the way yoga is both perceived and practiced? Both sides provide value and so some kind of balance needs to be found, similar to what we do in our cities, families and environment. How do we find that balance? With an estimated 14 million practitioners in North America alone, we can say that yoga has become mainstream. In Doha, where classes used to be available in only one studio and occasionally in one or two hotels is now offered throughout the city. Various styles, teachers, times of day, women’s classes, men’s classes, mums and babies, expectant mum’s, etc – there
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is a yoga class to suit everyone’s style and preference. Many come to yoga with what’s considered a more modern approach. This, according to most media, looks something like “A quick fix to a fab body by working my butt off, in any venue or gym,with stylish clothing all choreographed to some awesome music!” Many are looking for fitness, weight loss, ease in their body. Some are trying to fix what is ailing them, that perhaps the traditional medical route cannot seem to help. Yoga has many layers and depths to it and if left only to the modern approach, the more subtle and often most vital aspects of the practice get left out. Or often, what people expect to find in yoga and what they meet there are very different. Over time, it is through the mixing of mainstream modern physical or asana practice, with the subtle teachings of breath work, self-study, intense focus and meditation that can really bring about transformation. And just like in our cities and families these traditions were passed down first, by word of mouth. Only later were any of the knowledge and information written down, much later developing into all kinds of new media forms we find today. Although I appreciate some learning can be done via my laptop, or I can get my groove on in the studio with 40 other people while listening to the latest music, it is when my teacher provides that little extra, gained from their own practice, wisdom and experience that usually makes a difference. This likely came from their teachers and the teachers before them. In keeping with tradition, at the start of a traditional Ashtanga yoga class we begin by saying all together, with gratitude,words that honour the lineage of teachers who have come before us. So while we move forward, not always knowing where it will lead, we bring authenticity to our practice by remembering, honoring and respecting the past. Doing the same might work well with everything else around us, as well.
Jody Ryan (RYT) completed her Yoga Teacher Training in June 2011 and is currently teaching at Yama Yoga Studios (www. yamayogastudios.com). Being fairly new to yoga but older in life, she hopes to inspire those around her to dive deep into yoga and themselves no matter where they’re at along their journey.