As yoga continues to enjoy unprecedented global popularity, its transformation into a multi-billion-dollar wellness industry has sparked an important debate. While millions have embraced yoga for its physical and mental health benefits, concerns remain that commercialisation has overshadowed its deeper spiritual purpose. According to Yoga Ratnamani Yuvika Dhar, a spiritual coach and yoga teacher, yoga's true essence lies far beyond the physical postures that dominate modern studios and social media.
"Commercialisation has undoubtedly helped spread yoga across the world," Dhar says. "But at the same time, the actual deeper essence of yoga has become less significant."
She explains that the word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning "to unite" – a union with the Self. In the classical tradition, as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, yoga is an eight-limbed spiritual path (Ashtanga Yoga) designed to still the fluctuations of the mind and ultimately attain spiritual liberation, or moksha. Physical postures, or asanas, are only one part of this comprehensive philosophy.
Returning to yoga's origins
For Dhar, reconnecting with yoga's origins is essential if practitioners are to experience its full transformative potential.
"The practice of yoga loses its vitality when stripped of its philosophical foundation, just as a tree cannot thrive if severed from its roots," she says.
She believes practitioners can enjoy yoga's many physical and mental benefits while still respecting its cultural and historical roots by learning under experienced teachers who go beyond physical instruction. Such mentors guide students towards greater emotional resilience, mental clarity and self-awareness through regular practice of yoga and pranayama, or breathwork.
"This steady discipline not only heals the body and mind but also grounds the practitioner, creating a natural sense of reverence and gratitude for this ancient wisdom of self-discovery," she explains.
Dhar draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, which describes yoga as "the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." She emphasises that yoga transcends divisions of caste, colour, creed and religion, offering a path of healing and inner awakening to everyone.
Understanding yoga's origins also changes how people approach the practice. Rather than seeing it simply as a fitness routine, practitioners begin to appreciate it as a guide for everyday living.
The eight limbs of yoga begin with Yamas (social ethics) and Niyamas (personal discipline), followed by Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breath regulation), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and finally Samadhi (enlightenment). Dhar says these principles offer practical tools for navigating the pressures of modern life by calming anxiety, regulating emotions, improving focus and strengthening the mind-body connection.
"They help practitioners become more conscious and mindful, giving them greater control over the distractions that constantly create inner fluctuations," she says.
Innovation or commercialisation?
In recent years, yoga has evolved into countless commercial variations, including beer yoga, goat yoga and luxury wellness retreats. Dhar believes innovation itself is not the problem, provided it preserves yoga's core purpose.
She points to developments such as Iyengar yoga props, rope yoga and blindfolded yoga as examples of meaningful adaptations that support deeper practice. However, she argues that when yoga is repackaged primarily for novelty, entertainment or profit, it risks losing its true purpose.
"Ultimately, every practitioner is seeking inner peace," she says. "That can only be experienced through genuine guidance and simplicity.
"Once the focus shifts from internal reflection to external entertainment, we move away from self-discovery, which is the true purpose of yoga."
Small daily practices, lasting benefits
For those with limited time, Dhar insists that even ten minutes of daily practice can make a meaningful difference. She recommends beginning the morning with several rounds of Surya Namaskar to warm the body, followed by around five minutes of pranayama, including practices such as Kapal Bhati, Bhastrika, Nadi Shodhana or Bhramari. In the evening, she suggests restorative postures such as Viparita Karani, Baddha Konasana, Bhujangasana or Kapotasana, combined with calming breathing techniques and Aum chanting.
Ultimately, Dhar believes yoga's greatest gift is not physical flexibility but emotional resilience and perspective. "In today's highly competitive world, yoga teaches us to shift from brute-force survival to adaptive flow," she says.
She points to the yogic concept of Anitya, or impermanence, reminding practitioners that neither the body nor life's challenges remain unchanged forever. Much of human suffering, she argues, comes not from change itself but from resisting it.
"If we truly understood impermanence, there would be far less physical, mental, emotional and even financial suffering," she says. "Yoga always teaches us to bend, not to break."
As yoga continues to evolve globally, Dhar's message is clear: its greatest power lies not in trendy classes or commercial branding, but in reconnecting with the timeless wisdom that has guided seekers for thousands of years.
