Yoga is emanated in Indian sub-continent and being worldwide now. In 2015 United Nation has declared June 21st as an ‘International Yoga day’. During my Chinese staying I have practiced yoga with different ways but not satisfied because there was less natural originality but more artificiality. In China, Yoga is oriented only to the physical flexibility however it must be combined with a connectivity of human soul and body. Chinese yoga teacher even can’t pronounce the chanting word ‘Aum..!’.
Once upon a time I’ve joined Tai ji, I found there is meditation and physical exercises too. Gradually, Yoga is influencing china but I found Tai ji is not exploring outside the world. Is there any strong point that Yoga is better than tai ji, or tai ji better than yoga? What is the reason that Chinese are loving yoga rather than Tai ji?
In my opinion, Taiji, as a form of martial art, also emphasizes meditation and mental balance as Yoga does. As for why Yoga is more popular than Taiji in China, I think there is the factor of fashionability at play. In China, you usually see Taiji being practiced by elders, and conversely, before it came to be well known in China, Yoga first found fame in some western countries, including the USA, where a bunch of celebrities are enthusiastic about doing it, while in China you seldom see Taiji being presented on high-profile platforms. And youngsters, who usually crave for things fashionable, sometimes blindly, could easily be drawn to things that have larger exposure to the populace.
And admittedly, Indian guys undoubtedly have done a very good job marketing this cultural asset of theirs to the western audience in the first place.
I used to play some simple yoga at the end of exercises.I felt relaxed and refreshed when listening to some Banderi's songs and playing yoga. This year I'v learned Taiji and now I often play Taiji. It softly moves the whole body and is easy to learn. I once wrote a blog about my learning process, and you may have a look at it
It is Yogo guru's gold rush in China, I know some guys even charge 2000-3000 per hour on their lessons.
Yoga&Tai ji , each is different and beneficial to health in its own way. I don't think Yoga is better than Tai ji or Tai ji is better than Yoga. Young people prefer to practise Yoga while elder people have a preference for Tai ji. By the way , you said in China"yoga going to practiced like a physical exercise rather than mental peace and Inner healing" . I agree with you about that!
I found that many Chinese apply Yoga only for physical exercise and very quickly they seek for the result/change. if you do yoga forcefully and without patience you surely misleading it. Yoga is included Meditation, restraint, discipline, environment and good guidance too. its fit for all age groups.
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