RISHIKESH, INDIA, March 12, 2012 (Speaking Tree): The International Yoga Festival just concluded in Rishikesh, and a hot topic was in many minds in those healthy bodies: should hatha yoga become an Olympic sport?
A proposal is generating debate around the world. Here are some anwers from a debate moderated by Ranjeni A. Singh and Sonal Srivastava:
Swami Chidanand Saraswati: Introducing yoga in Olympics will be a good beginning. When people practise yoga, they will understand that there is a next step and they will slowly take to the path. There was a time when people thought yoga was only for sadhus; today everybody is interested in yoga. The people who would be judging yoga competitions would have to be those who practise yoga every day.
Manouso Manos: My guru, B K S Iyengar, is okay with yoga being included as an Olympic sport. He says competition would promote yoga. But I think it’s not the beauty of the posture we are looking at. It is the Self-realisation, understanding of the real Self; that’s what yoga is all about. If it becomes an athletic sport, it will get wide publicity and spread like wildfire, but it will lose its elegance and eloquence. If yoga becomes competitive, there will be a division in the yoga community. There will be groups that will be interested in the competitive edge and others that will be interested in healing. Some teachers will teach and train those who are born flexible and let them compete. Another group of yoga teachers will help those who are stiff, tired, injured. Then the question will arise — who is a better teacher? One who helps individuals or the school that wins the most gold medals?
Hikaru Hashimoto: Let’s understand the concept of Olympics; originally, it was about harmony. Of course now there is more competition; we’ll have to balance competition with harmony. If yoga is included in the Olympics, it will change the nature of competition. It will be good for the Olympics.