Why is Yoga So Popular?

Yoga is truly everywhere – once an obscure practice of far-away lands, it has now become a household name. While people go to yoga classes to become more flexible or more fit, they’re often still not quite sure what it actually means to be a yogi. Or what yoga is. Why is yoga so popular? Is it all just another fitness trend that’s going to blow over soon? What is the essence of yoga? Let me break down some important distinctions of what yoga is.

Hello, Yogi!

What Is a Yogi?

In the traditional sense, a yogi is a practitioner of yoga, typically one who has attained a high level of spiritual insight and union with the divine. In modern life, a yogi can be seen as anyone dedicated to a spiritual path, focusing on self-realization and union with higher consciousness. While grammatically, the correct terms would be yogin and yogini for male and female practitioners, I prefer the general term “yogi” as a neutral variant for both. So yes, yoga is an ancient Indian practice, but as with so many exported concepts, Yoga in India means something different than it does here in the West.

What is Yoga?

I’m no Sanskrit scholar, but anyone can look up the word yoga and see that it comes from the term ‘yug,’ which translates as yoke. Imagine oxen yoked to a plow, working in tandem to move forward. That’s yoga: not free-flowing ease, but intentional, connected effort toward a common goal. Notice that we’re far removed from the image of a lazy Sunday or even a river flowing freely. It’s not lofty. To the contrary: it’s deeply rooted in the earth, involving hard work, a solid connection and a common goal.

Physical Yoga Is Not the Only Type of Yoga

In general, the term “yoga” encompasses many other paths, such as Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, or Karma Yoga. Again, this is where ancient Indian practices come in. And because they’re that old, many different schools of yoga have developed. What all types of yoga have in common is that they guide the practitioner towards spiritual growth.

Hatha Yoga: Our Yoga in the West

When we speak of yoga in the West, we actually mean a specific kind of yoga: the physical type, a.k.a. Hatha Yoga. Ha and tha allude to the sun and moon, but really, hatha translates as “force” (or “stubborn”) – so it’s the hard work, the physical effort, the diligence, and the rigor that are emphasized in this physical form of yoga.

As a side note, to add to the confusion: yes, the term “Hatha Yoga” also refers to a specific practice of yoga within the category of physical yoga, just like Ashtanga Yoga or Iyengar Yoga.

In a culture so far removed from the body, re-establishing our connection to the body is urgently needed. No wonder this type of yoga is so popular. It helps us find balance and harmony. It strengthens the body and calms the mind, it’s healing and comforting. It leads to greater consciousness.

And not just that, it’s really cool too. You definitely don’t feel like you’re in the senior league when you see yogis seemingly defying gravity.

What Is the Yogic Path?

In the simplest terms: someone who practices yoga is a yogi and is on the yogic path.

Yoga as a Lifestyle: Is It Just a Fad?

Yoga is a way of life. But, is yoga just another trend? Is being a yogi just a fad? Well, it is and it isn’t. It’s an entry point. Yoga has certainly been marketed and commodified, but at its core, it offers something timeless: a way to live with purpose and alignment. Nothing changed about that – it applied two thousand years ago as well as it does today.

The Essence of Being a Yogi

Being a yogi means adhering to an ethical code, following a universal humane goal, values, and practices. Most of all, yoga offers a path. And while yoga is not the only way to reach enlightenment, at least it is a way: there are instructions, maps, key points, and companions, there’s history and belonging.

Yoga: A Journey Beyond Fads and Poses

Being a yogi isn’t just about mastering physical poses or breathing techniques. It’s a way of living, a philosophy, a code of ethics, and a never-ending journey of growth. It’s about balancing body, mind, and spirit while striving for union—with oneself and the universe. Yoga connects us, grounds us, and invites us to live from our highest selves.

curious?

Let’s Connect on the Yogic Path

To learn more about my journey on the Yogic Path, be sure to read my Blog Post What Being a Yogi Means to Me: My Personal Journey on the Yogic Path. And when you’re ready to dive deeper, I invite you to reach out. Let’s connect.