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Yoga: Beyond Trends and Toward True Connection

8 June 2025

Yoga: Beyond Trends and Toward True Connection
Yoga: Beyond Trends and Toward True Connection

Yoga has existed for over 5,000 years and has increasingly gained followers ever since. Its many benefits — from physical strengthening to emotional balance — are well known, which is why it has become so popular.

But the question arises: why practice it? Is it just a passing trend, fueled by social media, where yoga is often presented in a superficial way, focusing only on the most eye-catching poses and an “Instagrammable” lifestyle? Or is it truly a way of life? After all, yoga isn’t limited to what happens on the mat; it requires consistency so that each body — in its own time — can truly feel the effects of the practice.

Today, there are dozens of methods and approaches available. Amid so many options, it’s essential to choose the one that suits you best, remembering that yoga is not just physical — it involves the mind, breath, and ethics. It invites you to reconnect with your essence and let go of the superficial.

With popularity came aesthetics. Each season brings new collections of yoga mats and clothing, encouraging impulsive purchases — which goes against the principle of aparigraha (non-attachment). Consuming for the sake of consuming doesn’t deepen the spiritual experience. Choosing a durable mat or sustainable pieces is a different story — it aligns the practice with its core values. Although it’s natural for yoga to gain visibility and attract new generations through trends, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that its essence goes far beyond what fashion can offer. True practice demands dedication and an inner commitment that can’t be measured by likes or outward appearance.

Many practitioners integrate yoga into their daily lives, applying its ethical principles away from the spotlight, without being swayed by trends. This doesn’t mean other approaches aren’t valid — but it’s crucial to remember that yoga serves a much deeper purpose than keeping up with trends, showing off perfect poses, or flaunting stylish clothes: above all, it aims at self-knowledge and holistic well-being.

And you — how do you relate to yoga? What feelings does it awaken in you? What value does it bring to your life? If you’d like to find out whether yoga can become part of your everyday routine, I invite you to try Hatha Yoga with us in Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande, on São Miguel Island, Azores.

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