In its boundless state Yoga has the potential to define a culture, express spirituality, heal, transform a thought, a belief system, and a society.  On a more pragmatic state people share the way their body changes, or how they feel better.  Some students share how they begin to see the world, or their choices differently.  One thing is for sure that Yoga, like life, evolves.

 

In our time, one of the biggest evolutions came in the 1960s when yoga was brought to the west.  Like many things, when two unique elements come in contact both things were effected.  In this case the culture of yoga met the culture of the western mind.  Science met metaphysics, and the catalytic transformation began. 

 

Of course there was a lot of resistance, almost 40 years of minds that held back, looked down, dismissed, or revolted before we began to see acceptance.  Isn't that amazing!  40 years of people resisting the benefits of yoga, not to mention those who carried the yoga traditions resisting the change that was asked of yoga.

 

Here it is 2008 and yoga is enjoying a tremendous well-spring of participation, cultural acceptance, and demand.  Yoga has also evolved from a practice that was once limited on many levels.  Yoga crosses many of the past boundaries.  As yoga travelled from the East throughout the world, it has crossed many of the traditional boundaries of its past.  Men and women, young and old, infirmed and well, rich and poor, all are exploring the benefits that yoga offer. 

 

Yoga is no longer limited by its past, it is rich because of its history.  Western focus on technology and science is now expanded by the mysticism of an ancient tradition.  We all are changing, and benefiting.