rules of Artistic Yoga Sports

RULES OF YOGA SPORTS GAME CHARACTERISTICS YOGA SPORTS Introduction Yoga Sport originated in India and has been in existence for 2500 years. Yoga is spiritual education. "Spiritual" does not refer to any particular religion; rather it refers to the spirit, which consists of feelings and emotions. The mastery of the physical techniques of yoga is valued only if the human being achieves dominion over his mind and spirit. A sport is a regulated game in which there exists competition between two or more persons. Yoga Sport establishes whether or not a certain human being is competent physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, ethologically, ecologically, and culturally. Yoga Sport is a lesson in life itself which is a competition in every instance. However, the most important thing to remember in Yoga Sport competitions is that they are games, where one must achieve control over his emotions, feelings, and passions in the face of stress. The greatest Spiritual Intelligence obtains more points than any other evaluated category in the competition, such as flexibility, strength resistance, and balance. Judges determine Spiritual Intelligence by evaluating the Affective Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence of the competitor. Affective Intelligence is one's ability to adapt to the feelings of those around him. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to adapt to one's own emotions. Yoga Sport develops these forms of intelligence within the context of competition where the environment could generate imbalance, dissatisfaction, and stress. Competition motivates the competitor to achieve personal transcendation and spiritual training, which ultimately serves him in conquering the obstacles life places before him on a daily basis. Ultimately, Yoga Sport uses competition of physical yoga techniques as a means to a spiritual end. RULES OF YOGA SPORTS . SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 1: YOGA SPORTS GAME FIELD AND NECESSARY OBJECTS RULE 1: THE ARENA 1.1 Dimensions: The arena is a ten by ten meter square, an open space free from obstacles. (It could be a gym or a stage). 1.2 The Field Surface: 1.2.1. The ground needs to be flat, horizontal, and of uniform consistency. (The ground can be parquet floor, rubber or cement.) 1.2.2. The ground should not present any danger of injury for the competitors. Rough or slippery surfaces are prohibited. 1.2.3. The competition can take place in covered arenas or out door spaces. 1.3. Lighting: The space is lighted to the liking of the judges. 1.4. Music: CD player or live musicians can be used in the case of Artistic Yoga or Rhythmic Yoga with a 2 minute maximum for each presentation. 1.5. The Table: The judges´ table is located at one end of the nine by nine meter square. The referee is located there as well in order that the competitors can best be seen and in order that the points the judges award to them can best be seen. CHAPTER II: THE PARTICIPANTS RULE 2: Composition and Registration 2.1. Only registered competitors may participate in the athletic gathering. RULE 3: Division of the participants in athletic yoga 3.1. By number of participants: 3.1.1.Individual 3.1.2. Pairs 3.2. By Participant Gender 3.2.1. Women's 3.2.2. Men's 3.2.3. Co-ed mixed gender 3.3. By Participant Age 3.3.1. Categories According to the International Yoga Federation, athletic yoga is divided into the following categories: - Baby ages 4-5 - Baby kids ages 6-7 - Kids ages 8-12 - Juniors ages 13-17 - Youngers ages 18-25 - Younger adults ages 26-35 - Adults ages 36-40 - Veterans ages 41-60 - Seniors ages 61 and over. *All the categories can be subdivided by the discretion of the organizers of the event, and according to the needs of the sport. RULE 4 THE JUDGES´ DRESS CODE 4.1. Dress: 4.1.1. The dress code is not free, black, gray, brown, dark blue colour are prohibited and the player loose the game or competition, another happy colour are compulsory, each competitor may choose. 4.1.2. Clothing must be form fitting in order to best perceive movement, posture, and breathe work. 4.2. Shoes: Each competitor must compete barefoot. 4.3. Prohibited Objects: 4.3.1. Any object that could potentially cause injury to competitor is prohibited, for example, wings pins, socks, etc. 4.3.2. The competitor may wear glasses at his own risk. RULE 5 5.2.1. The trainers ought to understand the rules of the game and maintain them strictly. They ought to accept any decisions made by the referee in the attitude of sportsmanship, and without discussion. 5.2.2. Before the competition, trainers must register their participants' names, categories, and divisions. 5.2.3. The trainers must present all documents petitioned for by the organization, such as identification, documents, doctor consent forms, etc. 5.2.4. The trainer can give instructions to the competitors, but outside the arena and without distracting other members of the competition. 5.2.5. The trainer need be a yoga instructor, he can compete himself, but he cannot judge. 5.3. 5.3.1. The participants who are not competing are to remain outside the arena, in the section assigned to the organizers of the competition. 5.3.2. The competitors who have no yet competed may warm up only in designated zones where they will not distract other participants.RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS 5.1. The Judges´ Responsibilities 5.1.1. That the participants understand rules of the competition and respect them. 5.1.2. The participants accept the referee's decisions and respect them in the spirit of sportsmanship. 5.1.3. That participants conduct themselves respectfully and in accordance with the spirit of good sportsmanship, not only toward the judges, but toward all people present: trainers, fellow competitors, adversaries, the audience, and even the plants, animals, and insects. 5.1.4. That all participants avoid any action which could cause delays in the competition. 5.2. The Trainers Responsibilities Assigned Location of the Participants CHAPTER III POINTS IN THE COMPETITION RULE 6 6.1. POINTS IN YOGA SPORT 6.1.1. Final Evaluation ten (10) points: - Physical Evaluation: (1 point) - Mental Evaluation: (1 point) - Spiritual Evaluation: (4 points) - Social Evaluation: (1 point) - Ecological Evaluation: (1 point) - Cultural Evaluation: (1 point) - Philosophical Evaluation: (1 point) 6.2. The judges evaluate a competitor based on a ten-point system. The referee is always a yoga master with lineage and dominion over the spiritual education of a human being. The competitor is evaluated physically, mentally, socially, ecologically, culturally, and philosophically. In all aspects of yoga as a discipline, the primary concern is the spiritual. This is precisely why the control over the spirit demonstrated by each competitor receives a total of four points out of ten possible points in athletic yoga, artistic yoga, and rhythmic yoga. Once the physical, mental, and spiritual aptitude of the individual has been evaluated, the judges evaluate the cultural and philosophical aptitude of the competitor by way of written exam. It is important to remember that a flexible competitor with incredible physical postures only wins one point. In order to win, one needs to understand and practice the philosophical and spiritual side of yoga. The competitor's concentration level wins one point, and his spirituality wins four points. The most friendly and pleasant competitor could easily beat a flexible person. The judges are informed about which competitors study yoga and meditate with their masters. The social points are awarded when a competitor and his trainer are integrated in the Yoga Community in their respective country, and cultural points are awarded based on their competitor's ability to adapt to the home culture of the competition without concern for his own culture. Ecological points are awarded to those who do not litter or pollute the ecology. Those competitors who smoke in their private lives, or use drugs, alcohol, or pharmaceuticals, are eliminated. 6.4.1.Points for Spirituality (4 points): During and after the competition the judge, and most of all, the referee, observe the following four points in evaluating the competitors´ spirituality: 6.4.1.1. AHIMSA: The competitor may not manifest before, during, nor after, any type of violence aggression, criticism, anger, or disapproval toward fellow competitors, trainers, audience members, judges, animals, or plants--neither physically, mentally, verbally, or spiritually. They also may not destroy objects. 6.4.1.2. MAITRI: The second feeling which the judges award points for is Maitri, friendship towards all beings present at the competition. The competitor should not demonstrate mean feelings, nor lack of sympathy, towards rivals or judges. The competitor should exhibit a state of friendship, cooperation, and solidity toward rivals and judges. The competitor must understand that the competition is a game and should not respond too aggressively or maliciously to any living being present. Neither should his friends, family members, and sympathizers present at the competition. The competitor's face should not exhibit expressions of animosity, discontentment, nor of discooperation. Each competitor obtains points for Maitri, feelings of friendship, cooperation, and solidity towards companions, rivals, and judges. 6.4.1.3. MUDITA: The judges award points for happiness. It is important to be content, to enjoy the game as a celebration. Neither the competitor nor the trainer should exhibit expressions of sadness, indifference, depression, anxiety, stress, anguish--or any other negative feeling. 6.4.1.4. EMOTIONAL AND AFFECTIVE INTELLIGENCE: the capacity to avoid feeling negative emotions in oneself and the capacity to understand what affects the feelings of others. Affective intelligence deals with capacity to generate feelings, fundamentally those of karuna, or compassion for others. Emotional intelligence deals with the capacity to have fun in the game and with Yoga. YAMAS AND NIYAMAS:The competitors must observe the Yamas and Niyamas before, during, and after the competition. (One hour before and one hour after). 6.4.2. Points for the Physical (1 point) The judges award points for the ten levels of flexibility, static balance, and strength resistance in each posture. The judges also award points for alignment in each posture. In the case of Artistic Yoga and Rhythmic yoga, the judges also award points for coordination, rhythm, charisma, artistic ability, creativity, choice of music, and staging. The ten subdivisions for the evaluated aspects of physicality: 6.4.2. 1) Flexibility (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 2) Resistance in static balance (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 3) Resistance to strength (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 4)Alignment (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 5) Coordination and Rhythm (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 6) Charisma (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 7) Artistic ability (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 8) Creativity (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 9) Choice of music (0.10 points) 6.4.2. 10) Staging (0.10 points)6.4.3. Points for Mental State (1 point) The judges award points for the competitor's ability to introspect, concentrate, contemplate, and mediate within the competition environment. 6.4.4. Points for Sociability (1 point) The judges award points for toleration for and integration with others, companionship, belonging to the group, belonging to the institution, accepting the rules, and understanding them. The competitor should not criticize, protest, or interfere should a judge make a mistake. 6.4.5. Ecological Points (1 point) The judges award points for respecting the environment. The competitor is prohibited from smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs or pharmaceuticals, or littering the competition area or surrounding area. The competitor must leave the environment the way it is without modifying absolutely anything. The competitor must respect the animal kingdom and may not kill or harm insects or plants during the competition. The judges award points to those who help in maintaining everything clean, in order, neat, and who do not destroy living beings or objects. 6.4.6. Cultural Points (1 point) The judges award points to those who understand and accept, without criticizing, the cultures, religions, philosophies, races, and customs of the country or city where the competition takes place. The competitor ought to be respectful of the customs of every place and every country. 6.4.7. Philosophical Points (1 point) Jnana Yoga Competition The competitors will have to execute the asanas after they have been called out in Sanskrit. In doing so, the competitors demonstrate a certain understanding of yoga philosophy and study. In addition, the competitors may be asked to fill out a written quiz to demonstrate their understanding of yoga philosophy. CHAPTER IV: REPARATION FOR THE COMPETITION RULE 7 7.1. Organization: All competition may be organized in the following way: 7.1.1. By Federation: competition exclusively for athletes belonging to the yoga federation with booklets and who follow the norms of the organized federation. 7.1.2. Open Competition: where all who wish may compete. 7.1.3. By Invitation: where those who wish to compete do so to develop, perfect, and prepare the athletes. 7.2.Official Competitions and Non-official Competitions 7.2.1. Official Competitions of the International Federation of Yoga Sports: The F.I.Y.S., or national federations, pass the official federated title to those who follow the FIXTURE of the institution. 7.2.2. Non-Official Competition of the F.I.Y.S.: Those competitions which are organized outside the FIXTURE of the federations. The competition is of friendly nature and are between two or more institutions--federated or non-federated. 7.3. Functions: 7.3.1. Competitors: are people who practice yoga. Their function is to compete representing their school, master, or yoga lineage. 7.3.2. Trainers: are yoga teachers or professors. Their function is to direct the competitors. 7.3.3. Judges: are yoga masters. Their function is to award points to competitors. 7.3.4. Referees: are yoga masters. They are responsible for organizing the discipline and spirituality or Yoga Sport. 7.3.5. Disk-jockey: responsible for playing music. 7.3.6. Security: responsible for the security of the competition and for expulsion of trespassers. 7.3.7. Doctor: responsible for being present during the whole competition, to assist those who require medical services. 7.4.Ceremony and Puja: It is important to salute Nataraj the patron of Yoga Sport, or Shiva, before beginning the competition. In order to do this a Swami, Pujari, or Yogacharya must be present to chant mantras during the arati and fire ceremony. A guru, pujari, or swami is responsible for the pre-competition puja. SECTION II: JUDGES AND REFEREES 9.1.1. Points: 10 final points 9.1.2. RULE 8 THE JUDGES OF ATHLETIC YOGA The panel of judges are composed of two or more judges, maximum ten judges, whose mission is to qualify competitors and award appropriate points to each one. 8.1. THE REFEREE 8.1.1. The competition is directed by the referee. His mission is maintaining discipline, penalizing errors, and awarding final points in order to declare a winner. In order to do this the referee must always keep the spiritual points in mind, as with those he may change the general points awarded by the judges. The referee does this by perceiving the extent to which the competitor follows the game rules, even after having performed. The competitor's failing to abide by the rules is unappealing, unquestionable and unchangeable. This is accepted by all competitors, trainers, techs, judges, institutions and audience members as a priority in determining the winner. There can be no critique or appeal made on the referee's verdict. 8.1.2. The referee is the chancellor of discipline and spirituality. 8.1.3. The referee must be a Master of YOGA, or a Yogacharya (yoga master) from a traditional lineage and certified by his guru. Every Yogacharya must have studied for 12 years in an Ashram from the gurukula tradition with his guru. 8.1.4. The referee is he who names a winner and determines the rankings. 8.1.5. At the end of the competition all officials, participants, and organizers must communicate the results of the game to one another. 8.2. Judges 8.2.1. The judges must be Yogacharyas, Masters or Yoga Formatters in order to qualify competitors on the spiritual level, and in order to understand, respect, and impart athletic justice through the understanding and application of the rules. 8.2.2. Their responsibility is to qualify competitors. 8.3. Quantity of Judges in Yoga Sport 8.3.1. One referee 8.3.2. One referee and two more judges SECTION III: THE WINNER RULE 9: 9.1. The Winner in ARTISTIC YOGA SUB CATEGORIES in the Artistic Yoga COMPETITION: 9.1.2. A- Individual Artistic Yoga (by gender: women's and men's). One competitor competes at a time. He with the highest final points wins. 9.1.2. B- Doubles Artistic Yoga (independent of gender). Competitors compete in twos. The couple which obtains the highest final points wins. 9.1.3. The Judge Panel's Proceedings: 9.1.3. 1) Only one referee awards points, playing the role of judge and referee at the same time. 9.1.3. 2) One referee and two judges: two judges award the points raising signs that show the points 1 through 9, representing the point that coincides with the competitor's jnana yoga point. Each judge raises the sign at the referee's command. The referee adds the points together, deciding a winner. IMPORTANT: allowed clothes for yoga sports: FEMALES: Maillot, Bikini, Tankini, Top and Short, Rhythmic Gym Maillot, Dance Maillot. For females, the standard competition uniform is a leotard, Thailand lycra or spandex, They can also be decorated with rhinestones, and metallic jewels. MALES: For fmales, the standard competition uniform is a short. They can use too a singlet (or Comp Shirt - Short for Competition Shirt) is a sleeveless leotard, and also gymnastic long pants. COLORS Forbidden color: Black, Dark Blue, Dark Green, gray, brown. Correct colors: white, red, yellow, green, blue sky, orange, golden, turquoise, violet. can be decorated with rhinestones, and metallic jewels. WORLD YOGA CHAMPIONSHIP HAVE two DIVISiON PROFESSIONAL FOR YOGA TEACHERS AND AMATEUR FOR PRACTICANS The amateur have more than 18 and under 17 year old World Cup of artistic yoga Senior MEN above 18 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior WOMEN above 18 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior CRIMPED ASANAS PAIR above 18 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior FREE PAIR above 18 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior MEN youngers under 17 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior WOMEN youngers under 17 year World Cup of artistic yoga Senior CRIMPED ASANAS youngers under 17 years World Cup of artistic yoga Senior FREE PAIR youngers under 17 years World Cup of rhtymic yoga pair Senior above 18 years World Cup of rhythmic yoga pair youngers under 17 year COMPETITORS' RIGHTS AND RESPONSABILITIES 5.1. Competitors' responsibilities 5.1.1. Every person participating in the event have to know the rules and strictly respect them. 5.1.2. Every person taking part in the event should accept the referee decision with a sportive attitude, without any discussion and without showing disagreement 5.1.3. Every person taking part in the event should behave kindly and respectfully, according with the fair-play spirit, not only towards the jury but other people, trainers, mates, opponents, public and also with plants, animals and insects. 5.1.4. Every present person should avoid acts that might cause delays in the contest. 5.2. Trainers' responsibilities 5.2.1. Trainers have to know the rules and strictly respect them, they should accept the referee decision with a sportive attitude, without any discussion and without showing disagreement. 5.2.2. Before the competition, they have to register and check up the names, categories and branches in which the competitors will play. 5.2.3. Trainers should present all documentation asked by the event organizers (identifications, lists, medical certificates, etc...) 5.2.4. Trainer can give instructions to the competitors, out of the playing area and without disturbing or delaying the contest.. 5.2.5. A trainer should be yoga teacher and can also take part of the event as competitor but he cannot be part of the jury.. 5.3. Competitors allocation 5.3.1. The competitors that are not playing should stay aside the playing area, in the place given by the event organizers. 5.3.2. The competitors that are not playing can warm up and practice in the allocated areas, not disturbing other competitors. CHAPTER III COMPETITION SCORING RULE 6 6.1. SCORING IN YOGA SPORTS 6.1.1. Final evaluation: ten (10) points: • Physical performance evaluation: (1 point). • Mental performance evaluation: (1 point). • Spiritual evaluation: (4 points). • Social evaluation: (1 point). • Ecological evaluation: (1 point). • Cultural evaluation: (1 point). • Philosophical knowledge evaluation: (1 point). Remember the Physical performance evaluationis only ONE POINT 6.2. WINNER 6.2.1. WINNER IN YOGA SPORTS: the winner is the competitor that obtains best marks 6.3. TIE: the referee decides the winner according to spiritual evaluation 6.4. Yoga Sports evaluation: There are ten points in seven different areas to evaluate each competitor. The judges give the score and also the referee, who is always a Yogacharya with recognized lineage and human being spiritual education mastery. The competitor is evaluated spiritually, physically, mentally, socially, etologically, ecologically, cultural and also his philosophy knowledge. This is, in all Yoga aspects as a discipline basically spiritual. Is precisely due the control of the spiritual aspect that each competitor gets 4 points in a total of 10, in Athletic Yoga, Artistic Yoga and Rhythmic Yoga. Once evaluated the physical, mental and spiritual attitude and talents of the individual, he is evaluated in his social attitude and then he is also evaluated for his cultural and philosophical knowledge of this discipline for life. The competitors should answer a questionnaire about yoga. It should be regarded that despite a person can be extraordinarily flexible and shows incredible postures, he only gets 1 point. To win, the competitor should live and know Yoga philosophy and spirituality. Concentration gets also 1 point but his spirituality can score as much as 4 points. The nicer and friendly competitor can easily win over another very flexible one. The jury is informed whether the competitor study yoga and practice meditation with his guru. The social 1 point is given when the competitor and his trainer are integrated with their country yoga community without having had problems. The cultural point is given for the ability of adapting to any culture despite the own one. Ecologically, the competitor cannot throw papers or break natural order. Persons who smoke (even in his private life), drink alcohol or take drugs or psychoactive drugs. 6.4.1. Spiritual Score (4 points): To evaluate and give the points in this aspect the judge and specially the referee should observe before, during and after the contest the following items for each competitor. 6.4.1.1. AHIMSA: the competitor cannot show before, during and after the event any kind of violent or aggressive attitude, criticism, disappointment, annoyance or disapproval sign, not physical, mental, verbal or spiritual to other competitor, trainer, jury, audience, animals or plants. Not even objects should receive any rude or destructive handling by a competitor. 6.4.1.2. MAITRI: The second feeling that is positively evaluated is Friendship or Maitri to every living being present at the event. There should be a friendly feeling, cooperation and solidarity towards mates, opponents and the jury.. No one can show dislike, lack of sympathy to jury or opponents. The competitor should understand that is a play, he cannot answer in a bad manner to relatives, public, other competitors or to the jury. He cannot show gestures of dislike, disapproval or enmity. Their relatives, friends and fans cannot show bad manners either. 6.4.1.3. MUDITA: Happiness and joy feeling is positively evaluated. It is very important to be happy, enjoy the fair-play as a party and celebration. The competitor as well as the trainer cannot show or have a expression of unhappiness, indifference, depression, anxiety, stress, anguish or any other negative feeling. 6.4.1.4. EMOTIONAL AND AFFECTIVITY INTELIGENCE: The ability of not having negative emotions and the faculty to understand others' feelings. The ability of generating basic altruistic feeling of Compassion, Karuna for others. Ability to enjoy and have fun with the Play and with Yoga. YAMAS and NIYAMAS: Yamas and Niyamas should be practiced before, during and after the competition (one hour before and one hour after) 6.4.2. Physical Score: (is only 1 point) The flexibility, in its ten grades, is evaluated in the asanas execution, also the static balance resistance, strength resistance and the correct alignment for each yoga posture. For Artistic and Rhythmic yoga sports, best scores are for coordination, rhythm, charisma, art, creativity, music and scenography The physical aspect has ten items to evaluate : 6.4.2. 1) Flexibility (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 2) Resistance in static balance (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 3).Resistance in strength. (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 4).Alignment(0,10 points) 6.4.2. 5) Coordination and rhythm (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 6) Charisma (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 7) Art (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 8) Creativity (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 9) Music (0,10 points) 6.4.2. 10) Scenography (0,10 points) 6.4.3. Mental Score (1 point) The introspection, attention, concentration, contemplation and meditation ability of the competitor, during the contest, are awarded. 6.4.4. Social Score (1 point) Tolerance and integration with others are awarded, as well as the comradeship, integration with groups and organisms, rules comprehension and rules respect.. Competitors cannot criticize, claim or interfere with the jury or referee decision. 6.4.5. Eto-ecological Score (1 point) The correct ecological behavior and environmental respect are awarded. The competitor cannot smoke, drink alcohol, get drugs or psychoactive drugs, throw papers or litter in the place of the event and the surrounding areas. He should leave everything tidy and clean. He cannot break or move anything. Etologically, he must respect animals, respecting even insects. He cannot kill of mistreat any kind of animals or plants during the event. The person who helps to keep everything clean and tidy, not destroying or harming living beings and objects, he is awarded. 6.4.6. Cultural Score (1 point) The competitor should understand and accept without criticize, the culture, religion, philosophy, traditions, habits and customs of the country and city where the event is organized. A respectful attitude towards a different culture is awarded. 6.4.7. Philosophical Score (1 point) Jnana Yoga Contest Competitors should complete a questionnaire about Yoga philosophy, art and science, to show their knowledge about this discipline.