Recent decades have seen an explosion of the yoga trend- yoga studios, pants, classes, videos. A quick search of "yoga" on youtube will show you video upon video of white women in various yoga poses. Most of these yoga "gurus" haven't the sparsest idea about Indian influence on yoga.
Yoga is undergoing its second colonization due to the dilution of the practice. As a South-Indian myself, it is difficult to watch these "gurus" partially adopt a practice stripped away from South-Indians during the colonial era, while selling it back to us at a steep price. Frequently, people only practice postures (or asanas) of yoga. The physical aspect of yoga is to prepare the body as a foundation for one's spiritual journey. Asana, along with meditation (or dhyana), aims to bring a more profound sense of self-awareness. Yoga teachers need to learn the culture and history behind yoga to undo cultural appropriation.
Not only has yoga been stripped of its cultural significance, but it is also only available to a particular group of people. A practice that helps reduce stress and strengthen our body and mind should be accessible to all. Most yoga studios are costly - leading to the exclusion of low and middle-class people, mainly immigrants and people of color. Through mutual understanding, respect, and reverence to yoga's history, we can decolonize it and make it more accessible for everyone.
Written by Anushree Appandairajan
Artwork by Zara Masood
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