All posts by roger

Is there a Modern vs Traditional Yoga argument?

Fitness and Yoga, , , , , ,

There was a fascinating article in The Guardian this week looking at the development of “modern” yoga classes which are abandoning the spiritual and the mental elements and focusing on entirely on the physical. The headline posed what seems like a simple question.

Is this still yoga? A new generation of teachers is replacing traditional spirituality with plain-spoken simplicity.

Of course the answer is far from simple.

Having qualified as a Level 3 Yoga Teacher last year – I experienced quite a bit of snobbery on my journey. There are those who insist that Yoga has to be the full Physical, Spiritual and Mental experience – and in extreme cases will not tolerate dissension. In answer to that view we know that from the success of Freestyle Fitness Yoga and Body Balance that there are many people who simply want access to the physical side of yoga. Indeed for those people the Spiritual and the Mental aspects can be barriers to them trying traditional yoga out.

modern vs traditional yoga

I’ve seen some church halls ban yoga classes because they perceive the spiritual side of it to be some affront to Christianity. This is wrong too because Yoga isn’t a religion despite its spiritual overtones. I’ve seen some people put off yoga classes because they think they are going to have to chant and ring singing bowls. So for those that predominantly want the physical experience why not give them that aspect alone?

In the end it is all about meeting the needs and expectations of your clients. When I teach yoga I do use the ancient names for the poses where appropriate, and provide more focus especially around meditation. If your clients are more into the full traditional experience then they will expect it of course.

But if someone is only interested in the physical aspect – does it matter whether it is a Virabhadrasana 2 – or a position in which one leg is bent at 90 degrees and the other is straight, the hips are forward and the arms are at shoulder height? Even if we use the English version of the pose names, does it really need to be a Warrior 2 or what I have just described.

I would like to make yoga accessible to all and if the entry point to that is the physical experience then fine. Personally I would like them to then consider the other aspects if and when they feel comfortable. But starting from the point of view that it has to be all or nothing is likely to keep the barriers up.

Ultimately modern vs traditional yoga can exist harmoniously and that has to be a good thing if it benefits the lives of more people.

Over to you: Do you practice yoga? Is it a traditional or modern variant? What do you prefer. Please click on “Leave a Reply” below and let me know your comments and thoughts.

Hacking and the Future of the Media

The Crazy World in which we Live, , , , , , ,

During the MP’s expenses scandal the media, and the printed media in particular, delighted in exposing various claims for porn movies, the costs of second homes and the cleaning of ponds. The public’s view of politicians was at an all time low. How dare they treat tax payers money in this way? Especially during a recession when everyone was finding it hard to make ends meet.

Now those same politicians, even some of the discredited ones who still hold office, are baying for the blood of the media as the phone hacking saga continues with shocking new daily revelations. The former editor of the News of The World has just been arrested by appointment – a process that certainly takes the fun out of the traditional dawn raid where doors are smashed aside with bright red enforcers. And of course there will be an inquiry and undoubtedly there will be some new regulations as a result.

I know many journalists and all of them are honest and equally horrified by what has been going on. In our internet and social media soaked world where there is information overload, sometimes I think that it would be good for journalists to be a little more investigative. Ask a few more questions rather than simply rewriting the hundreds of press releases they receive everyday. But if investigation crosses the line into illegal behaviour then that’s not the type of investigative journalism I want to see.

My concern is what the regulatory outcome of all of this will be. The MP’s expenses scandal reminds us that as well as reporting current events, that the press provides a sort of regulation of politicians on behalf of the public. On the whole MPs will be terrified that any indiscretion comes out in print and scuppers their hopes of re-election.

If the media becomes more heavily regulated then the freedoms they currently have to report potential wrong doings in the corridors of power might be eroded or curtailed. We have to punish those responsible for hacking the phones of victims of terrible crimes. But once that is done let the honest journalists carry on their work, otherwise we might find our politicians even less accountable to those they are meant to serve than they are now.

What on Earth are these cats talking about?

Cats, , , ,

As a marketer I have often been described by colleagues as ‘the guy that does the fluffy’ stuff. I took this to extremes recently when I made a speech at a conference and used a YouTube video of a mother cat protecting her kitten as an example of how we can tap into social media to promote our products.

As I researched this I came across many entertaining cat videos. Just try Googling “Cats trying to understand treadmills” for one hilarious example.

This video has two cats having a chat. What are they talking about? It is so involved and of course cute and fluffy.

Now look on YouTube for all the translation videos that people have done – some of which are bordering on genius. Another example of the power of social media. How are you using it to promote your business or yourself to your clients?

Red Arrows in Edinburgh over Newhaven

Through My Mobile Camera Lens, , ,

So there I was driving through the streets of Edinburgh on my way to David Lloyd fitness club in Newhaven when I saw the Red Arrows zoom overhead. It was just a glimpse up above the houses. Blink and you would have missed them with only their red white and blue smoke trails to denote their passing.

I got a little excited, having not seen the Arrows for years. They never seem to come to the East Fortune Airshow. But after that fleeting moment there was no sign of them.

As I arrived at David Lloyd however, I was overjoyed to find them just starting their display to commemorate Armed Forces Day – directly over Newhaven, my destination. It’s a bit shaky but my iPhone captured the highlights.

Absolutely stunning and a pleasure to see the Red Arrows in Edinburgh.