Modern yoga feels increasingly performative
I feel it. Do you? The lululemon pants, the flawlessly curated Instagram shots, the pressure to nail the next big pose. These external performance often are presented alongside what feel like ironic and disconnected teachings urging us to focus on our internal space, releasing comparison or attachment. Ergh. The cognitive dissonance is palpable.
The modern (or should I say western?) yoga space feels increasingly performative and disconnected from its true depth. We are chasing an aesthetic ideal, often missing the very connection we seek.
Let’s do an Identity Check. This is where the marketing materials end, and the visceral experience begins.
Let’s start by reassessing our terms. In the (paraphrased) words of Dr. Raj Balkaran, “yoga” (note the small ‘y’) in English is now synonymous with Asana—the physical poses. But Yoga (Big 'Y') is so much more. It is to merge with the space that exists beyond the engagement of the senses and wandering mind. This space goes by many names in many different traditions, Spirit, Divine, Yahweh, God, Goddess, Brahman.
No one here, living today, reading (or writing) this blog is a Yogi. Yogis are spiritual renunciates whose path is to surrender worldly connections (to objects, family, homes, possessions) and spend their lives in deep meditation for the obtainment of “Big Y” Yoga. They do not have jobs, children, or worldly obligations. This is likely not the path of anyone who made it to this little corner of the internet.
Ok, so you are not a Yogi… now what?
Which part of you is identifying as a Yogi? I AM a mother, a brother, a teacher, an adventurer. Who is the “I AM” in all of that? The I AM. Without the follow up. Now we are getting somewhere.
But you’ve been dedicated to your movement practice, and the physical benefits are clear! But still the mind is racing, emotions are fluctuating and the weather of the world throws you off.
Maybe, this is because all the “work” you have been doing has been on Annamaya Kosha (the physical body). When we stop there, we have only scratched the surface of our being. And if you are still not a believer in the energetic body, the train is leaving without you!
The Vedanta Darshan identifies four other layers of ourselves that also need to be tended to:
Manomaya Kosha: Our chitter-chattering mind.
Pranamaya Kosha: Our energy or emotions.
Vigyanamaya Kosha: Our intellect and wisdom.
Anandamaya Kosha: The space of complete contentment
None of these layer exist visually. That means no fancy poses, no uniform, no Instagram validation. No one knows what is happening in these other layers but you, and only if you are open and listening.
So what does this all mean for me? The person with a job, hobbies, friends and plans, living and loving being engaged in the world? Well, it depends is the answer.
Maybe you are doing all these things and you are completely content—this is your karma and path for this life, this is wonderful. But perhaps there is a little voice, a space or inner knowing that’s just asking for more. To move past the performance and into genuine connection, you need a different kind of guide.
Find a teacher. Dive deeper. Be sure that your teacher goes beyond movement, theory, study, and learning. Because wisdom comes from visceral experience. It divides practitioners from marketers, those riding a trend from those on the path. Stop scrolling and start observing the wisdom within. Ready to begin the real journey?
Nicki is Founder of Wild Vedas - a clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Teacher Trainer & Outdoor Educator. She has been guiding transformative journeys since 2011.
Growing up in Australia, her career has had her living in New Zealand, the UK, Bali and now Canada, as well has having guided numerous programs across Asia and South America. She has held space for thousands of journeys of self reflection, awareness and growth using nature and community as mirrors back to ourselves. Nicki's programs prioritise playfulness, community, authenticity, and a deep curiosity for self-discovery, connection with others, and exploration of the world around us.
