Around the world, Yoga has moved from private studios to large, mainstream gyms as its stress-relieving body benefits become known to the general public. Is the move to the mainstream good for Yoga? How does gym Yoga compare to Yoga practiced in a Yoga studio? To answer both of these questions: Yoga enjoys worldwide popularity in almost every country on earth. Yoga has met all the expectations that practitioners were looking for. The move to the mainstream has gone well. Medical and scientific studies verify Yoga as an adjunct therapy in many cases, but teachers are advised to delete the word, “cure” from their vocabularies. Never make a promise you can’t keep is the best advice for Yoga instructors.
1) A strictly limited time period for Yoga sessions. Most gyms have a tightly packed schedule for their group fitness areas, and squeezing in a Yoga class usually means a one-hour maximum time slot. Savasana may be sacrificed in the name of putting away props before the next step class starts. Starting and finishing classes on time is extremely important in a health club.
3) Atmosphere: Unlike traditional Yoga studios, which are quiet, dimly lit and typically feature cloth wall hangings or inspiring prints, the gym studio most often has mirrored walls. Brightly lit, music from neighboring classes or noise from nearby fitness equipment may be clearly audible. In many cases, the lights cannot be dimmed.
4) Teacher/student relationship: In classic Yoga studios, students mesh well with a Yoga teacher and return for ongoing, progressive instruction. In a gym setting, members choose from a potpourri of fitness classes and change options frequently. Yoga is part of the menu and not always appreciated as a health maintenance system within a fitness club.
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