An article written in the Boston Globe discussing the competitive edge in the Olympic Games stated: If two athletes are equally fit, the edge often goes to the one with the better emotional skills - not a do-or-die focus on winning but a set of habits that all of us can learn, including positive self talk,' maintaining an energy level that is neither too excited nor too relaxed, and most important, a Buddhist-like ability to focus on the moment at hand - on the particular breath, stroke, turn.
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary definition, YOGA in Sanskrit literally means yoking. Further, it is a “Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of Body, Mind, and Will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation.” More to the point, it is “a system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being.”
It is clear that many people cultivate mind, body and spiritual awareness in the sports they practice. So would it not be fair to consider yoga a sport?
Traditionally, yoga is a practice that combines breathing techniques and concentration with a series of physical postures, called asanas. According to the 8-Limb path of yoga, written down by Patanjali thousands of years ago, there are many other elements to complete the system of yoga. They include aspects like non-violence, trust and honesty, non-stealing, non-lust, and non-possessiveness. Also elements like purity, contentment, austerity, study and devotion.
Does one not practice these elements in other forms of exercise that are considered SPORTS? Athletes may refer to some of the yogic elements as perhaps "psychological systems." But ultimately, athletes and yogis alike are referring to the same thing: unity of body, mind and spirit. Why not, then, yoga sport? And why not, perhaps, an Olympic Sport someday?
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