you asked

I love yoga & lululemon, but I'm wondering if you all think that yoga is not being as strictly practiced as it was conceived, in India, by the true yogis centuries ago. It seems to have become ultra trendy & fad-ish; especially in the West. For instance: don't you feel that, in order to be a true master, yoga instructors should spend a training stint in India? What are your thoughts on this? – Ashvin

three yogis answer

kinndli's answer:

I think that it is pretty amazing that yoga is becoming more accessible to the greater population here in the West and I applaud those styles of yoga that demystify the traditionalists strict views on how and where yoga should be practiced. I believe it is important to honour the history of yoga, but by no means do you have to go anywhere other than inward to discover your connection to the higher spirit. That is the big misconception of the human race: that we must go somewhere else, get something new, do more, learn more, fix ourselves, that someone else has the answer!! As Buddha taught, the journey to enlightenment is to go inward, not to seek outwardly. You are already whole and complete. If going to India inspires you, then awesome, but by no means is the answer you are looking for in some Himalayan cave: it is inside you. It has been there waiting for you to discover all along!

- Kinndli, lululemon Oakville ambassador

grace's answer:

Dear Ashvin,

I don’t subscribe to the idea that training in India is necessary to become a well rounded, educated and dedicated yoga teacher. India is the birthplace of yoga but its beauty can only be found by the practitioner, regardless of location. Whether one practices in an Indian ashram or in the gym of their community, yoga is experienced and expressed in its authenticity through an individual’s own unique experiences with it.

Having said that, I would agree that yoga has suffered some spiritual poverty in the modern world. It has been trivialized, watered down, or reduced to clichés. The deep and eternal essence of yoga has often been misrepresented and, in some cases, yoga has been reduced to the status of just another exercise program available on videotape.

In the course of time, asana or yoga postures gained more popularity in the physically minded West, and other aspects of the teachings fell to the sidelines.

But the goal or destination of yoga is yoga itself, union of the little self and the True Self. The mere fact that one might do a few stretches with the physical body does not in itself mean that one is headed towards that high union referred to as yoga, but unlocking that energy is dependant on the practitioner’s intention.

With all that said, I believe some credit is due to the trend-setting evolution that has emerged in the West, for it has made yoga accessible to all in many shapes and forms, and, through that, many more people have been gifted the beauty of this practice.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

ted's answer

I agree. Yoga & lululemon are both fantastic! The great saints and sages simply pass on information that hopefully guides us inside to follow the guru within. As for "true yogis," well, what does that mean? Who says what is right and wrong, or good and bad? It's all in our minds - yours, mine, or some author who thinks they are an authority. The bottom line is that the only person who knows the right answer is you! If something works for you, use it; and, if not, leave it behind.

I don't believe it is necessary to have any training in India. However; I will say that India is an amazing country and if you can get some training there or at least visit, it will shed some light on the world we live in. The culture, the people, the energy, and the mess are quite unbelievable! It is one of the most amazing places I've ever visited. Forever we've been told that happiness lies within, or "the Kingdom of God is within," and many other variations on that theme. It was never more apparent to me than in India. In the midst of chaos and dirt and what from the outside looks horrible, people find a true sense of peace. Something most of us in the West continually strive for. We can have the husband, the wife, the job, the house, the money, the car, etcetera, and still be unhappy! On a crowded, noisy street corner in Varanasi I noticed a woman doing a Ganesh Puja. She had found an inner sanctuary among the chaos which showed me that it MUST come from inside! Now, when I get upset about something or something doesn't go my way, I have to understand that it's really just my perspective on the situation. Our minds are limited and if we can expand our mind, even just a little, we will see that there is a much bigger picture and something much greater of which we are a part.

So, while it is important to learn from “true masters,” I don’t believe that should be a goal. I think that following your inner guide is a great goal and it is the only way you find your way to being a true master if that is your destiny.

- Ted, lululemon Malibu ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

Having not read a spiritual book before, I was somewhat reluctant when I received this book in the post. The Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle challenged me a lot, not just wording wise, but mentally and emotionally and I ended the book being more aware and responsible of my actions and reactions. I like to think of his books as 'spiritual psychology', it gets you to think beyond yourself into the greater Being of life that is, as he leads you through a discussion of the condition and behaviour of the human mind. The small chapter breaks are much needed and I found it was a good practice to only read small portions at a time, to mentally digest the teachings. Everyone will take to this book differently and have different levels of 'awakening'. As rare or deep as they may be for you, the moment it happens it truly feel as if a veil has been lifted from your eyes.

Provoking and profound, it is worth a read. Life in the present moment is forever eternal.

What are you reading now?

Be the change. - Gandhi

When I decided to take my yoga teacher training I tried to put my expectations on a leash. I tried not to imagine all the wonderful changes that would occur; I tried not to focus on what a present, calm, ideal yogi I would become. I tried.

Expectations are the fastest way to set yourself up for disappointment. The path of yoga is not about what you were or what you will become; it's about being present in each moment. There's no easy path to become the person you aspire to be, but with a conscious mind and open heart you can learn to accept yourself as you are and let that love and acceptance help you grow.

I recently went for some spiritual counseling from a yogini. What struck me the most was learning that I don't need to "figure it all out". My dharma or duty was to simply bring gratitude and contentment into my daily life. It doesn't matter if I hit the mat every day (especially if I stress myself to get there). What matters most is taking the lessons I learn from yoga and applying them to my every day life off of the mat - to respect the earth, to remember that we are all one, to believe in my divinity and that of those around me, to be truthful, and to follow the Yamas (guidelines on how to treat others and interact with society) and Niyamas (guidelines on how to treat yourself).

Since that visit I have told myself daily what I am grateful for, even if all I can think of in that moment is remembering to be grateful in the first place. This small change has caused a ripple affect in my life. The veil of expectation has been lifted and I accept that I am exactly where I need to be in life in this very moment. I also accept that though I may forget from time to time - I am divine. We all are. It is simply our duty to remember.

Read about the great gratitude for yoga teachers like Jessika in our blog post My Love Affair with the Yoga Teachers of the World.

Getting down and dirty in yoga class is admirable – getting off your mat and practicing outdoors is extraordinary. Taking yoga outdoors stimulates the senses and heightens physical awareness. I have found hiking yoga to be one of the most invigorating and spiritual activities.

Without breath, you are not doing yoga. So why not breathe deeply while hiking and explore the possibilities of connecting to the earth. Groups across the country are offering hiking yoga classes/guides that are specific to the geographic area. Eric Kipp in San Francisco leads urban Hiking Yoga groups that focus on breath and engaging the core. Eric takes you inside the romantic hidden spots of the city while stopping after every huge hill to do a relaxing warrior or triangle pose.

The beauty of nature, like being next to a campfire, immediately inspires you to emerge from your safe zone. Hiking with a group promotes rich social interaction and human connection. I have found the shared experience to be rewarding and quite awakening to my bodies capabilities.

Above: Vanessa, escapes the city and heads to Tofino (Vancouver Island) for an oceanside hike and yoga experience. She's keeping warm in our Remix lulu hoodie.