Guest guest Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Dear All The Yoga Studies News letter of the IAYT and YREC, USA had a question on the validity of Yoga Sport Given below is the reply I had sent them as well as the reply to my mail from them I would be interested in hearing all of your views on how this young sapling shoot of the Yoga tree can be helped to grow into a flowering branch of the Yoga tree in due course Ananda"YREC/IAYT'Dr.Ananda Bhavanani'" RE: Yoga SportsWed, 12 May 2004 21:34:56 -0700 Namaste, Dr. Ananda. Thank you for sending your very thoughtful and well-written article. I can especially understand the points you make in regard to youth and developing a suitable outlet for their energy, but has it also been your experience that the following is strictly the case for adult asana competitions: “When conducted efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the right Yogic attitude of “Nishkama Karma”, (i.e., selfless action), then Yogasana competitions have a lot to offer. They . . . learn to take a “win” with the same equanimity (Samabhava) as a “loss”. They learn to accept that on any given day someone else may be better than themselves. They learn to accept the “highs” with the “lows” and realize that proper planning, dedicated and disciplined practice, and enthusiastic participation are more important than the result.” Overall, do you find that the orientation of adult asana competitions, or the adult view of Yoga as sport, helps to cultivate self-transcending yogic practice, or does it subtley or otherwise reinforce egoic tendencies? I greatly respect your answers and am glad to be able to dialogue with you on this topic. Om shanti, Trisha Dr.Ananda Bhavanani [yognat2001] Wednesday, May 12, 2004 12:05 AMmailSubject: Yoga Sports A BRIEF HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION TO YOGA SPORT By Yogacharya Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI, M.B.B.S., A.D.Y., D.S.M., D.P.C., PGDFH GENERAL SECRETARY PONDICHERRY YOGASANA ASSOCIATION 25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry -13. Yoga is an art and science that developed from the core of Sanathana Dharma. The Yogic life is the living of a unified holistic concept that assures positive health, happiness, longevity and spiritual evolution. The goals of the Yogi are the sustained struggle against past conditioning, an attempt to control ones inner environment in order to focus inward. Yoga is isometric, pitting one part of the body against the other and the Yogi strives to be "more perfect today, than he/she was yesterday". It is practically impossible for classical Yogasanas, Pranayamas and other Yoga practices to harm the practitioner when they are performed in the proper manner. Though the world of sports and that of Yoga lie on nearly opposite poles, they have a lot to offer one another. They can stimulate, strengthen and benefit the practitioners of either science to a great extent when approached properly and with an understanding of their respective merits and limitations. Yogasana competitions can be an effective link between Yoga and sports. It is now necessary for the practitioners of Yoga and sports to understand the benefits of their close association with one another and create the needed framework in which both can complement each another more effectively. The association between these two sciences can provide humankind with a disciplined, strong, efficient and healthy body and mind for further evolution towards the Divine. Yoga in its wholistic sense can never be competitive, and there exists no objective measurement by which one person can be declared more yogic than another. Therefore the term "competitive Yoga" is a paradox and has no real meaning. However the proficiency of the Sadhak can be compared with that of another in the performance of Yogasanas, Kriyas, Mudras, Pranayamas and Shat Karmas. Yogasana competitions are a fact in todays Yoga world and are mushrooming up in all directions. When conducted efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the right Yogic attitude of Nishkama Karma, (i.e., selfless action), then Yogasana competitions have a lot to offer. They stimulate the young minds and give them an outlet for their competitive spirit, drive and energy. Youngsters learn to take a win with the same equanimity (Samabhava) as a loss. They learn to accept that on any given day someone else may be better than themselves. They learn to accept the highs with the lows and realize that proper planning, dedicated and disciplined practice, and enthusiastic participation are more important than the result. The youngsters are stimulated to intense practice and thus develop amazing body skills, which they may not develop otherwise. Yogasana competitions provide a meeting point for youngsters to meet and interact positively with others having similar interests. Formation of a group of similar minded Yoga Sadhaks can reinforce the individuals practice whenever it slackens due to any reason. Positive peer pressure creates a back up to counter any inertia that may hinder the practitioner in their Sadhana. Due to competition, the Sadhak is shaken out of the complacency that tends to creep in when the practice of Yoga becomes a habit as monotonous as brushing of teeth in the morning. They make sure they dont miss their practice and put in extra energy and time to keep in shape. The competitive edge sharpens and focuses the body awareness, thus fostering greater accuracy and perfection that in turn stimulates the real Yogic growth. Spectators and lay observers at these competitions get stimulated to take up the practice of Yoga and this draws them as well as the participants into a deeper Sadhana. The basic idea of Yoga receives wide general publicity and this can open doors for many who are ignorant of this ancient art and science of mind and body. Thus we can see how Yogasana competitions, when put in the framework of competitive sport can restore the competitions to their original purpose, which was to produce a healthy mind in a healthy body. To avoid Yogasana Competitions from falling into the trap of other sports, it is important that those in-charge of such competitions must stand firm on moral and ethical issues. Competitors must sign a statement that they are vegetarian, non-smoking, non-drinking and non-drug users. They must have a basic knowledge of Yoga theory and marks should be allotted for Yoga deportment and character. They must be regular practitioners who are attached to either Yogashrams or accredited Yoga groups. When all these considerations are taken into account, then Yoga Sport can be a beacon light for other sports in terms of living the Yogic and sporting ideals. Thus Yoga Sport can add as well as benefit from the association with the sporting world and be a proper link between the two worlds of Yoga and sports. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF YOGA SPORT: Yogasana competitions are part and parcel of the modern yoga world and various national and international organizations are involved in the development and propagation of the ideals of Yoga Sport. In India we have the INDIAN YOGA FEDERATION and the YOGA FEDERATION OF INDIA that have been conducting Yogasana competitions in various age groups for three decades in all states of our country. The IYF held the 20th National Championship in 2001. We also have the Yoga Confederation of India and the South Indian Yoga Federation that are relatively more recent in their inception. Pondicherry Yogasana Association (PYA) founded by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri has been in the forefront of the Yoga Sport movement and Swamiji is hailed as one of the founding fathers of this concept. Since 1975 the PYA has held Annual Pondy State Yogasana Championships and the 17th Pondy State Yogasana Championships will be held at the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research on the 1st and 2nd off November 2002. In order to create interests in the art and science of Yoga, the PYA organised Swami Gitananda Best Yoga Youth Award competitions in 2000 and 2001. In this competition the competitors were tested not only in their Asana skill but also in the theory and other aspects of the art and science of Yoga. PYA has also introduced Yoga Theory aspects into all Yogasana Competitions and this has exposed competitors to the great science of Yoga in addition to developing their skill in Yogasanas. PYA has been the pioneer in introducing awards for yogic personality as well as yogic behavior in competitions conducted by the PYA. The Pondicherry Government has held an International Yogasana Competition every year since 1992 during the International Yoga Festival conducted by the Tourism Department and this draws hundreds of contestants from numerous states of India as well as many foreign countries. PYA has been in the forefront of supporting the Tourism Department in organizing the Yogasana Competitions and the General Secretary Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani has COORDINATED these International Yoga competitions in the years 2001 and 2002. The INTERNATIONAL YOGA FEDERATION, which is the international governing body of Yoga Sport, is based in South America and Europe. The IYF has held International Yoga Championships nearly every year in various countries around the world. The First International Yoga Championship was held in 1989 at Pondicherry under the guidance of Yoga Maharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri. The 10th International Yoga Championships was held at New Delhi in 2001. Indian Universities have also taken up this concept of yoga competitions in their Inter University Championships and every year there is an inter university yoga competition. Pondy university team has participated in this competition on numerous occasions and won various prizes. Vivekananda Kendra Yogas (sVYASA) at Bangalore has conducted the National and International HIMALAYA YOGA OLYMPIAD for the past five years. This was also introduced in Pondicherry last year by the PYA. The PYA team also placed a commendable second in the national Himalaya competition held last year at Bangalore. Various organizations and state yoga associations are holding yoga competitions in their respective states and West Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are in the forefront of this movement. Thus we can see how the concept of YOGA SPORT is very well entrenched at both the national and international levels and is an effective tool to attract the youth towards the great art and science of Yoga. Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH Chairman Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER 25,2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013 Tel: 0413 - 2622902 / 0413 -2241561 Website: www.icyer.com Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Dear All, being a westerner who has participated in a Yogasana compitition in India I have a few viewpoints that I can share. firstly I believe that the Indian children I witnessed do not approach competition the way a typical western child would. If I was to host a Yoga festival in Canada (which I just might do) I would not have a Yogasana competition. I would however have a demonstration that would include the theory (which is absolutly amazing in itself what theese children have learned). I think that we cannot take the context, being the cultural environment, out of this picture. I do agree with the best Youth and best child awards however as they are based on long term yogic qualities that the students demonstrate. Having been formally educated in the world of sports I would say in all fairness that Yoga sport is probably the healthiest sport I have ever seen but perhaps the competition should be cut off at a certain age and keep it as a demonstration. GS "Dr.Ananda Bhavanani" <yognat2001 wrote: Dear All The Yoga Studies News letter of the IAYT and YREC, USA had a question on the validity of Yoga Sport Given below is the reply I had sent them as well as the reply to my mail from them I would be interested in hearing all of your views on how this young sapling shoot of the Yoga tree can be helped to grow into a flowering branch of the Yoga tree in due course Ananda"YREC/IAYT'Dr.Ananda Bhavanani'" RE: Yoga SportsWed, 12 May 2004 21:34:56 -0700 Namaste, Dr. Ananda. Thank you for sending your very thoughtful and well-written article. I can especially understand the points you make in regard to youth and developing a suitable outlet for their energy, but has it also been your experience that the following is strictly the case for adult asana competitions: “When conducted efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the right Yogic attitude of “Nishkama Karma”, (i.e., selfless action), then Yogasana competitions have a lot to offer. They . . . learn to take a “win” with the same equanimity (Samabhava) as a “loss”. They learn to accept that on any given day someone else may be better than themselves. They learn to accept the “highs” with the “lows” and realize that proper planning, dedicated and disciplined practice, and enthusiastic participation are more important than the result.” Overall, do you find that the orientation of adult asana competitions, or the adult view of Yoga as sport, helps to cultivate self-transcending yogic practice, or does it subtley or otherwise reinforce egoic tendencies? I greatly respect your answers and am glad to be able to dialogue with you on this topic. Om shanti, Trisha Dr.Ananda Bhavanani [yognat2001] Wednesday, May 12, 2004 12:05 AMmailSubject: Yoga Sports A BRIEF HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION TO YOGA SPORT By Yogacharya Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI, M.B.B.S., A.D.Y., D.S.M., D.P.C., PGDFH GENERAL SECRETARY PONDICHERRY YOGASANA ASSOCIATION 25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry -13. Yoga is an art and science that developed from the core of Sanathana Dharma. The Yogic life is the living of a unified holistic concept that assures positive health, happiness, longevity and spiritual evolution. The goals of the Yogi are the sustained struggle against past conditioning, an attempt to control ones inner environment in order to focus inward. Yoga is isometric, pitting one part of the body against the other and the Yogi strives to be "more perfect today, than he/she was yesterday". It is practically impossible for classical Yogasanas, Pranayamas and other Yoga practices to harm the practitioner when they are performed in the proper manner. Though the world of sports and that of Yoga lie on nearly opposite poles, they have a lot to offer one another. They can stimulate, strengthen and benefit the practitioners of either science to a great extent when approached properly and with an understanding of their respective merits and limitations. Yogasana competitions can be an effective link between Yoga and sports. It is now necessary for the practitioners of Yoga and sports to understand the benefits of their close association with one another and create the needed framework in which both can complement each another more effectively. The association between these two sciences can provide humankind with a disciplined, strong, efficient and healthy body and mind for further evolution towards the Divine. Yoga in its wholistic sense can never be competitive, and there exists no objective measurement by which one person can be declared more yogic than another. Therefore the term "competitive Yoga" is a paradox and has no real meaning. However the proficiency of the Sadhak can be compared with that of another in the performance of Yogasanas, Kriyas, Mudras, Pranayamas and Shat Karmas. Yogasana competitions are a fact in todays Yoga world and are mushrooming up in all directions. When conducted efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the right Yogic attitude of Nishkama Karma, (i.e., selfless action), then Yogasana competitions have a lot to offer. They stimulate the young minds and give them an outlet for their competitive spirit, drive and energy. Youngsters learn to take a win with the same equanimity (Samabhava) as a loss. They learn to accept that on any given day someone else may be better than themselves. They learn to accept the highs with the lows and realize that proper planning, dedicated and disciplined practice, and enthusiastic participation are more important than the result. The youngsters are stimulated to intense practice and thus develop amazing body skills, which they may not develop otherwise. Yogasana competitions provide a meeting point for youngsters to meet and interact positively with others having similar interests. Formation of a group of similar minded Yoga Sadhaks can reinforce the individuals practice whenever it slackens due to any reason. Positive peer pressure creates a back up to counter any inertia that may hinder the practitioner in their Sadhana. Due to competition, the Sadhak is shaken out of the complacency that tends to creep in when the practice of Yoga becomes a habit as monotonous as brushing of teeth in the morning. They make sure they dont miss their practice and put in extra energy and time to keep in shape. The competitive edge sharpens and focuses the body awareness, thus fostering greater accuracy and perfection that in turn stimulates the real Yogic growth. Spectators and lay observers at these competitions get stimulated to take up the practice of Yoga and this draws them as well as the participants into a deeper Sadhana. The basic idea of Yoga receives wide general publicity and this can open doors for many who are ignorant of this ancient art and science of mind and body. Thus we can see how Yogasana competitions, when put in the framework of competitive sport can restore the competitions to their original purpose, which was to produce a healthy mind in a healthy body. To avoid Yogasana Competitions from falling into the trap of other sports, it is important that those in-charge of such competitions must stand firm on moral and ethical issues. Competitors must sign a statement that they are vegetarian, non-smoking, non-drinking and non-drug users. They must have a basic knowledge of Yoga theory and marks should be allotted for Yoga deportment and character. They must be regular practitioners who are attached to either Yogashrams or accredited Yoga groups. When all these considerations are taken into account, then Yoga Sport can be a beacon light for other sports in terms of living the Yogic and sporting ideals. Thus Yoga Sport can add as well as benefit from the association with the sporting world and be a proper link between the two worlds of Yoga and sports. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF YOGA SPORT: Yogasana competitions are part and parcel of the modern yoga world and various national and international organizations are involved in the development and propagation of the ideals of Yoga Sport. In India we have the INDIAN YOGA FEDERATION and the YOGA FEDERATION OF INDIA that have been conducting Yogasana competitions in various age groups for three decades in all states of our country. The IYF held the 20th National Championship in 2001. We also have the Yoga Confederation of India and the South Indian Yoga Federation that are relatively more recent in their inception. Pondicherry Yogasana Association (PYA) founded by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri has been in the forefront of the Yoga Sport movement and Swamiji is hailed as one of the founding fathers of this concept. Since 1975 the PYA has held Annual Pondy State Yogasana Championships and the 17th Pondy State Yogasana Championships will be held at the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research on the 1st and 2nd off November 2002. In order to create interests in the art and science of Yoga, the PYA organised Swami Gitananda Best Yoga Youth Award competitions in 2000 and 2001. In this competition the competitors were tested not only in their Asana skill but also in the theory and other aspects of the art and science of Yoga. PYA has also introduced Yoga Theory aspects into all Yogasana Competitions and this has exposed competitors to the great science of Yoga in addition to developing their skill in Yogasanas. PYA has been the pioneer in introducing awards for yogic personality as well as yogic behavior in competitions conducted by the PYA. The Pondicherry Government has held an International Yogasana Competition every year since 1992 during the International Yoga Festival conducted by the Tourism Department and this draws hundreds of contestants from numerous states of India as well as many foreign countries. PYA has been in the forefront of supporting the Tourism Department in organizing the Yogasana Competitions and the General Secretary Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani has COORDINATED these International Yoga competitions in the years 2001 and 2002. The INTERNATIONAL YOGA FEDERATION, which is the international governing body of Yoga Sport, is based in South America and Europe. The IYF has held International Yoga Championships nearly every year in various countries around the world. The First International Yoga Championship was held in 1989 at Pondicherry under the guidance of Yoga Maharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri. The 10th International Yoga Championships was held at New Delhi in 2001. Indian Universities have also taken up this concept of yoga competitions in their Inter University Championships and every year there is an inter university yoga competition. Pondy university team has participated in this competition on numerous occasions and won various prizes. Vivekananda Kendra Yogas (sVYASA) at Bangalore has conducted the National and International HIMALAYA YOGA OLYMPIAD for the past five years. This was also introduced in Pondicherry last year by the PYA. The PYA team also placed a commendable second in the national Himalaya competition held last year at Bangalore. Various organizations and state yoga associations are holding yoga competitions in their respective states and West Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are in the forefront of this movement. Thus we can see how the concept of YOGA SPORT is very well entrenched at both the national and international levels and is an effective tool to attract the youth towards the great art and science of Yoga. Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH Chairman Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER 25,2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013 Tel: 0413 - 2622902 / 0413 -2241561 Website: www.icyer.com Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard YOGACHARYA GOWRISHANKARANANDA Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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