Yoga may have originated around 5,000 years ago in India, but it has been getting unconventional and weird makeovers in recent times, especially in the West.
On the occasion of the fourth International Day of Yoga on Friday, we bring you 7 whacky and bizarre variants to this ancient tradition in recent years:
#Dog Yoga
Popularly known as ‘Doga’, Dog Yoga was started by Suzi Teitelman in New York in 2002. In this form of yoga, dogs are used as an object or sometimes as a partner. Research shows that this could also be the best way to build a better bond with your pet.
#Goat Yoga
As the name suggests, this variant uses goats during the exercise regime. So what really happens in goat yoga? Well, you do yoga, while the goat does its thing. More often than not it will just lie down on your yoga mat, but it can also jump on your back, burp in your ear and give goat hugs.
Lainey Morse, who came up with the idea first in 2016, perhaps didn’t realise that it will take the world by storm. For many, the experience is ‘Zen like’ or plain ‘happiness’.
#Horse Yoga
Much like the Dog and Goat variants, Horse Yoga involves sessions that include horses. The Doma India School in San Luis, Argentina came up with the concept as they believe that respectful and non-violent horse-taming can establish a meaningful bond between humans and animals.
#Beer Yoga
Beer lovers will find a way to open a chilled bottle at any given occasion, but two yoga teachers from Berlin, Germany decided to take it a notch further by launching ‘BeirYoga’ in that country. According to its pioneers, this innovation is the perfect marriage of yoga and beer, two of the most ancient therapies for relaxing the mind and soul. No wonder, Beer Yoga has been recently gaining popularity in other countries as well.
#Ganja Yoga
After beer yoga, comes Ganja Yoga. As the name suggests, this type of yoga combines performing complex asanas while smoking ganja. It focuses on feeling tranquil and at peace and one with self, owing to the calming effects of marijuana. Started by a yoga teacher from California, weed yoga gained popularity after the legalisation of recreational weed in several US states. Many believe that the soothing high induced by smoking weed and its muscle relaxing effects can help elevate the experience of yoga and can greatly increase the meditative quality of sessions.
#Naked Yoga
Naked yoga, as the name suggests, is all about practicing exercising without any clothes. It tries to focus on the physical sense of freedom the body feels in its natural state and experiences release through nudity. The quirky trend has started gaining popularity mainly among hep crowds in Los Angeles and New York. It symbolizes separation from worldly possessions and is said to help its adherents reach new levels enlightenment.
#Yoga Rave
The concept of a ‘Yoga Rave’ was initiated by the Argentinian branch of NG, the Art of Living Foundation. It focuses on stimulating the mind and body with a mix of music, yoga and meditation. To live up to its name, it does look a lot like a rave. The only difference is that people are high not on booze or drugs, but on yoga. To be clear, consumption of alcohol or any other kind of intoxicant is strictly prohibited during these ‘rave’ sessions.
