Is making yoga a business (example: DVD’s, clothing brans etc)-ruining what yoga actually stands for?
What does yoga actually stand for?
Not that it matters because that train has already rounded the bend.
[QUOTE=yogibear23;84050]Is making yoga a business (example: DVD’s, clothing brans etc)-ruining what yoga actually stands for?[/QUOTE]
yes and no… i was contemplating on this subject for a while… making yoga a business INTRODUCES yoga (in its different forms) to lots and lots of people…and some people will eventually follow the authentic yogic path. so, at the end of the day, commercializing yoga is not such a bad thing.
All things in life follow a context.
the context in this case is ICT, a mass media, and capitalism, which didn’t exist in ancient India.
Another thing is that Yoga is often seen in Western society for its physical/health benefits, more so than the spiritual aspect. Again, this is based on social context, and that many still subscribe to or are influenced by Christian and/or Abrahamic beliefs.
I must be honest and say I hold no issue in yoga videos per se, since it’s unrealistic to expect millions who have no immediate attachment to Eastern thinking to take it on board when practicing yoga.
[QUOTE=daves007;84083]What does yoga actually stand for?
Not that it matters because that train has already rounded the bend.[/QUOTE]
Speaking for myself only (IMO people can only ever do this) I was not raised in an Eastern tradition, whether cultural or spiritual. So to be honest, following a spiritual yogi lifestyle is a bit alien to me. Purists may not approve of this, but it as is.
The world is a reflection from peoples inner nature. the more deluded our ego gets the more deluded the world gets as an reaction.
So no wonder yoga follows that pattern as well.
For me if i didnt start with the vinyasa i would not have become interested in yoga at all. we all must start somewhere if its not genuine or not doesnt matter its where it takes us that matters.
Mind looks at one event and judge it to be bad , but this bad event can create a good result further ahead. I would say everything is perfect laid out for us to grow for what suits our level of understanding. When our understanding grows we might find another step of the ladder. All steps are equally important even though it might seem like a bad step at some point. When it does one just search for another step, as that step has served its purpose.
[QUOTE=CityMonk;84113]yes and no… i was contemplating on this subject for a while… [B]making yoga a business INTRODUCES yoga (in its different forms) to lots and lots of people.[/B]…and some people will eventually follow the authentic yogic path. so, at the end of the day, commercializing yoga is not such a bad thing.[/QUOTE]
Yup. Without the advent of yoga videos I’d never have been introduced to yoga and wouldn’t be able to have the daily practice I have now.
And thank goodness for yoga pants, where I can be comfy all day [I]and[/I] look good. 
Yoga is not ruined and making “it” a business is not the road to ruin.
The depth of Yoga and its benefits for human beings remain, despite charlatans, capitalists, and egotists.
Clothing, brands and DVDs are merely responses to clamoring from consumers. Were there no demand then there’d be no supply (or there’d be supply sitting in a warehouse). So perhaps the better question is “Have we, as those interested in Yoga, missed the point by craving that which does not actually foster yoga at all?”
When we as consumers stop wanting, asking for and buying junk then junk will stop being peddled. It is not the fault of the DVD or clothing maker.
The teaching of yoga has never been “free”. It was always an exchange between teacher and student. Student’s would provide care for the teacher in exchange for the teaching. That exchange must remain otherwise there’s a gross imbalance and the teacher is overtaxed and burdened.
Exploitation however is not part of yoga. However it is feed by ignorance, lack of awareness, and haste.