Yoga cannot be a sport where one competes with another; it is a powerful tool to elevate human consciousness and life experience, says Sadhguru.The 44th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) recently took place, where it was decided that yoga would be included in the 2026 Asian Games.
Reacting to this development, Sadhguru, founder of the Isha Foundation, shared his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“The inclusion of yoga in the arena of competitive sports brings a sense of pain and disappointment. Yoga is not something that can be turned into a competition.”
Sadhguru emphasized that yoga is a powerful tool designed to elevate individuals from limited possibilities to boundless awareness and a richer life experience. It is a technique for self-evolution, not a medium for competition.
“By turning yoga into a circus-like practice where one attempts to perform better than others, we diminish the profound science of yoga,” he said.
He further added, “The essence of yoga is not about comparison or competition. As the birthplace of yoga, India must ensure that it doesnāt degrade into an absurd sport. I hope there will be wisdom in preserving the fundamental awareness that yoga brings.”