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Fusion Yoga

Facts & Figures > Articles > Fusion Yoga

Yoga continues to attract many in the United States, with practitioners not only learning the discipline but also combining Yogic exercises with the oriental martial arts and conventional exercises, calling it 'fusion yoga', according to a media report.

A report in the Washington Post said traditionally Yoga has been "reincarnated as fusion fitness". It is increasingly being under different names and under different styles to suit even sportspersons, including weight-lifters. Styles are offered under various names, including Yogabutt, Yoga-Pilates-Resist-A-Ball, Yogabar for weightlifters, water art, Yo-Tai Pilates, combining submerged Yoga with Tai Chi and Pilates, Hot Yoga done in 105-degree room, and 'Body bar Buddha Bar', described as body-sculpting.

Twelve hundred modified-Yoga teachers also met recently in the Washington area and demonstrated some of their techniques, and their growing army is changing the "ancient discipline of Yoga". Yoga has also become a multi-million-dollar market with clothing lines, books, videos, music, lessons, props and accessories. "It is Yogis gone wild at the gym", the Post said. Labels such as L.L. Bean, Old Navy, Nordstrom, Land's End and Gap have cashed in. Also in the market are meditative music, books and videos.

Yoga researcher Trisha Lamb, associate director of the international associaton of Yoga therapists, in Mantonm California, estimated that people were spending, "$20 billion a year on Yoga". According to book-sellers Barnes & Noble, five or six new Yoga books are published practically every month.

The Washington Post puts the number of practising American yogis last year at 15 million, 28.5% more than the year before. Yoga also became a regular mention in celebrity interviews - among them Gwyneth Paltrow and Metallica .

• Source: Times of India