COMPETITIVE YOGA

ON Nov. 24, the first yoga competition in the country will be held. It is a landmark event for the country on many fronts.

Yoga is still in its infancy here and a competition gives yoga a more visible stage to highlight its virtues. Second, given the good that yoga represents, there is a global initiative to petition the International Olympic Committee to include yoga as a demonstration sport in the Olympic games, a step toward eventually turning it into a medal sport. Third, this competition invites a healthy discussion among those who believe that this event will be for the growth of yoga here, and those who believe that a journey toward inner peace, which yoga is, should not be competitive.

Competition history

Yoga competition is part of India's rich history. It is said that the yoga asana (i.e. posture) practice originated over 5,000 years ago. Competitions have been taking place for 2,000 years now, albeit in a more philosophical form. Today, it is estimated that the yoga pose competition in its current form began about 100 years ago. At least one yoga competition takes place daily in India.

In asana competition, yogis (male yoga practitioners) and yoginis (female practitioners) inspire others in the community to learn more about yoga. Their representation also lets others learn about how a regular hatha yoga practice influences a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Historians point to the work of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, founding father of the Yoga Sport concept that was introduced in India in the 1970s. In 1975, Gitananda founded the Pondicherry Yoga Asana Association in southeastern India, which became the leading organization for yoga asana championships.

The aim of Yoga Sport, as the concept of competing in asanas is called, was to introduce young people to the art and science of yoga through competitions. At the time, Yoga Sport was considered an ideal sport for India as no infrastructure or costly equipment was required, and people from all walks of life could achieve so much from it.

For three decades now, the Indian Yoga Federation and the Yoga Federation of India have been conducting yoga asana competitions in various age groups throughout India.

The First International Yoga Championship was held in 1989 in Pondicherry under the guidance of Swami Gitananda. Today, The International Council for Yoga Sport of the International Yoga Federation is the international governing body of Yoga Sport and is based in South America, Asia and Europe.

In Europe, there is the annual European Yoga Championships organized by the European Yoga Alliance. In the US, there are regional competitions leading to the International Yoga Asana Championship (IYAC) Bishnu Charan Ghosh Cup in Los Angeles every February since 2003. It is at the invitation of IYAC that the first Philippine Yoga Asana Championship (PYAC) will be held.

Structure of PYAC

Due to its links to IYAC, the Philippine Yoga Asana Championship follows its format. There are usually two divisions: adult (18 years old and above) and youth (11 to 17). Each division is divided into two categories: female and male. Practitioners of all styles of hatha yoga are welcome to join. Email info@philippineyogachampionship.com.

This first local championship only has the adult division.

Participants are required to perform five compulsory postures and two optional postures chosen from the 84 asanas compiled by Patanjali (a revered name in yoga tradition and acknowledged compiler of the Yoga Sutras). The participant must complete these seven postures in three minutes.

The compulsory adult postures are: standing head to knee pose, standing bow pulling pose, bow pose, rabbit pose and stretching pose.

The first PYAC, sponsored by Pru Life UK (www.prulifeuk.com.ph), will be held at Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO South Tower, Makati Ave. cor. HV de la Costa St. on Nov. 24, 7 p.m. Visit www.philippineyogachampionship.com

Yoga at the Olympics?

In a world beset by war and strife, what better way to bring peace and well being to entire societies than to elevate yoga to the global spotlight and encourage its practice?

If rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, wushu and archery are in the Olympics, why not yoga which has a far greater following worldwide?

But giving medals offends many practitioners. As a growing number rediscover the ancient practice, some would rather have it as a personal and spiritual tool.

The more traditional followers aren't comfortable with the idea of yoga competitions. People watching yoga for the first time could be misled into thinking that yoga is focused only on the physical, instead of it being a holistic discipline that engages the body, mind and spirit.

I believe that all who practice yoga acknowledge it to be a positive force in their lives.

I would be most surprised if I met a practitioner who did not want to share their yoga with a loved one or friend.

As for the debate that will likely go on, perhaps Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, one of the foremost teachers of yoga in the world, said it best: 'How can I say what is good and bad? People will find what they are looking for.'

By Tristan Choa

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