Yoga as a Sport?
There is still so much controversy surrounding the concept of Yoga as a Sport.
Knowing that Yoga is one of the six philosophical systems of India, Yoga Sports focuses on the Asanas. The Asanas are one of the eight limbs of Yoga, where we can meet outside and verify our inner work.
If you look closely, yoga and sport both aim to maintain and improve our physical skills. They both transform our physical state, entertain us. Both Yoga and traditional Sports entertain those watching, and both bring joy to the mind.
Therefore, as Sports are governed by rules and regulations in order to ensure fair play and just competition, Yoga is also governed by ethical principles of honesty and integrity. The goal is the same.
In Sports, the term sportsmanship expresses aspiration, that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. In Yoga the term “santosha” expresses the same: it refers to a joy which is independent of external sources.
In other words, if you play a Sport or perform a Yoga posture on stage and you feel joy of doing it, you are a champion. This is the message that we want to get through–healthy competition and unity through Sport to the new generation. Please, help us spread the IYSF message, help us introduce this new branch of Yoga as a Sport discipline.
Basic principles
Yoga Sport, founded on the millenary-held values of traditional Indian Yoga, in competitions turns its total attention to asanas/postures. IYSF judges score the asanas based on difficulty, minimum expression, traditional recommended execution and characteristics of the athletic aspects of strength, flexibility and balance. Postures are divided into six groups of skills performed by the athlete during the competition:
Knowing that Yoga is one of the six philosophical systems of India, Yoga Sports focuses on the Asanas. The Asanas are one of the eight limbs of Yoga, where we can meet outside and verify our inner work.
If you look closely, yoga and sport both aim to maintain and improve our physical skills. They both transform our physical state, entertain us. Both Yoga and traditional Sports entertain those watching, and both bring joy to the mind.
Therefore, as Sports are governed by rules and regulations in order to ensure fair play and just competition, Yoga is also governed by ethical principles of honesty and integrity. The goal is the same.
In Sports, the term sportsmanship expresses aspiration, that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. In Yoga the term “santosha” expresses the same: it refers to a joy which is independent of external sources.
In other words, if you play a Sport or perform a Yoga posture on stage and you feel joy of doing it, you are a champion. This is the message that we want to get through–healthy competition and unity through Sport to the new generation. Please, help us spread the IYSF message, help us introduce this new branch of Yoga as a Sport discipline.
Basic principles
Yoga Sport, founded on the millenary-held values of traditional Indian Yoga, in competitions turns its total attention to asanas/postures. IYSF judges score the asanas based on difficulty, minimum expression, traditional recommended execution and characteristics of the athletic aspects of strength, flexibility and balance. Postures are divided into six groups of skills performed by the athlete during the competition:
- Back Bend
- Forward Compression
- Traction
- Torsion
- Lifts
- Inversions