I often think to myself. . . what does it mean to be a yogi in this modern age. For about 2 years now people from all walks of life call me that. I am finding it to be a very loose term these days. I attend many yoga classes, teach many students, and have wonderful conversations. The yoga community is all about inclusiveness, not leaving anybody out, and finding union in this world filled with ego and separatism. My concern with the label of yogi and yogini, is that it might be losing its authenticity. Is it simply practising asana that now makes you a yogi. . .or is it the embodiment of the tradition that makes you a yogi. I am not saying you need years of training to then label yourself as one. But even myself. . . being in my 10th year of practice. . . often find it weird when I say I am yogi, or when somebody else says it about me. To embody yoga I feel is to be conscious of you thoughts and actions. Be aware of the world around, and how you affect it.

When can we classify someone as a yogi/yogini, or as someone who just practises yoga. . . is it even a classification?

Is this just my ego trying to separate myself and other devoted yoga practitioner from everybody else. . .

I just feel that yoga in North America, is without a doubt becoming a capitalistic industry. Where the tradition may be losing some of its strength. I am not saying that everyone who attends a class needs to be aware of all the philosophical traditions of it. But I feel that, the tradition has to live on through all the classes. Its needs to be trickled. . .but how can it trickle us if so many of us where umbrellas. We are living in such a egotistical society, where every thing from religion to the arts can so easily be stripped of its integrity, its roots, it foundation. What is left though? Money? Ego? Self righteousness?

These are just thoughts in my head, wonders. I am not looking for answer, but just wanted to get them out.