Yogāsana and Vinyāsa Teaching and Practice have changed drastically from the traditional form. Lately Yogāsana and Vinyāsa Yoga have been commercialised upto the point that the practice has been transformed into a product. Methodology have been lost for the sake of “a-fixed-sequence-for-all”. The reason behind this change is merely commercial. A method is conceptual and hard to be grasped. A “fixed-sequence-for-all” is mechanical and physical; it can be illustrated, memorised, commercialised and basically sold as any other product. In this processed of commercialisation teachers (a person acquired with methodology) as been transformed into instructors (a person who provides instructions). The yoga-practice as been transformed into a trend and the practitioners into competitors. The problem behind this change from methodology into a “fixed-sequence-for-all” has not only changed the way in which practitioners approach Yogāsana but also the effects of āsana practice as upon the person. Unfortunately, this change is not only a wrong approach to Yoga but also the worst approach to āsana and vinyāsa practice.
Why a “fixed-sequence-for-all” is harmful?
Simply, what is beneficial for someone may be not beneficial or may be even harmful for somebody else. This principle applies to everything (from a medicine or diet to yoga practice). A sequence (or just a specific posture) that can be beneficial to someone can lead to injury somebody else. We all differ from each others. We need a personalised practice according to our bodily conditions, level, stamina and objectives. Even in the case that we are practicing the “right sequence” it has been scientifically proved that repeating the same sequence everyday over a prolonged period of time have detrimental effects on both body and mind. It is like eating the same dish everyday for years. Might be the most healthy and balance dish but it would lead to diseases if eaten daily for a prolonged period of time. A “fixed-sequence-for -all” targets everyday the same group of muscles, ligaments and other soft-tissues . This leads to physical unbalance and a progressive development of injuries. Practitioners who strictly follow a “fixed-sequence-for -all” very likely end up with injuries.
Why a “fixed-sequence-for-all” is a negative approach to Yoga practice?
A “fixed-sequence-for -all” type of practice beside being completely devoid of psychological stimuli and creativity stands on the most negative approach towards yogāsana and vinyāsa practice: practitioners use their body to work on the āsanas. The objective of the practice is to reach the posture which comes in the sequence (in order to move further to the next one). It is a kind of self-competing practice. Self-competing becomes the motivational force and reaching the āsana becomes the goal of the practice. This approach has detrimental effects at both psychological and physical level.
The traditional approach, like the Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa, is based on methodology. As such stands on personalised practice. Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa uses āsanas to work on the body and not the body to work on the āsanas. Read more about: “Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa ~ methodology and personalised practice“.