Yoga's Soul: Expert Decries Western Physical Focus

Yoga expert Varun Veer asserts that Western interpretations of yoga often reduce the millennia-old practice to its physical aspects, neglecting its mental and spiritual roots. He explains that in the Indian tradition, yoga encompasses body, breath, and mind, a holistic approach he feels is largely missing in Western practice, which he estimates focuses 95 percent on asanas (postures).

Veer, who opened a New Delhi studio in 2023 after teaching internationally, notes that while various yoga styles emerged from traditional hatha yoga, they still adhere to its core principles. He acknowledges the global surge in yoga's popularity since the 1970s and 1980s, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting the discipline in India.

Despite welcoming yoga's widespread appeal, Veer warns against the lack of oversight in global yoga teacher training. He emphasizes the importance of dedicated practice and advocates for a return to a more profound understanding of yoga, urging the West to re-evaluate its teaching methods.