Before we start, I want you to take a moment and consider something. Were you triggered by the image that I used? Was it hard to read those words, “White women killed yoga”?? It’s okay if that title isn’t sitting well with you — but let’s sit with that discomfort for a minute to find out what the real issue is. After you read the rest of this post (and hopefully listen to a few of the podcasts I recommend) you may feel differently about those words.
Just like this blog, this post is probably at least 2 years in the making — at least in my brain. This issue gnawed at me all throughout yoga teacher training, continued as I began teaching, and eats at me to this day. Am I doing enough? Am I oblivious to something that I am doing and inadvertently causing harm? How can I learn more? Do more?
First of all, let me be clear, I don’t think it is appropriate for me to teach anyone all the ins and outs of cultural appropriation as it relates to the practice of yoga. For that, you need to learn from someone who has been deeply affected by it, perhaps even harmed by it, and truly understands it at its core. Its roots. At the end of this post I will share some amazing resources that have guided me on this path of self-inquiry. We are just scratching the surface here.
I also absolutely believe that I will look back on this post in a year, or 2 years, or 10 years and be absolutely mortified at my lack of understanding or ability to share information on this topic with those of you reading this. That being said, I must begin somewhere. And why not right here, right now, where I already am in the process. And so, I’d like to just raise a little awareness and perhaps shed light on an issue that truly endangers the sanctity of the practice of yoga in the West.
So what is cultural appropriation? According to Susanna Barkataki’s book, Embrace Yoga’s Roots, cultural appropriation is, “Taking something from a culture that is not one’s own. It involves privilege and a power imbalance plus harm to the source culture. The harm can be of disrespect and also of material, cultural, financial, economic, social and spiritual harm.” Phew. Let that sink a moment. This is not a problem unique to the world of yoga of course, but let us draw our attention here just for this moment. I would argue that most yoga (mainstream yoga) in the U.S. today is a watered-down version of what yoga truly is at its core as a spiritual practice. Not only have we taken away many of the sacred elements in an effort to “meet students where they are,” we have also extracted the parts that suit us and used them for some sort of personal gain.
For example using the word Namaste (or a variation of if) to sell Tshirts, coffee mugs, or any other product. Have you seen memes, or clothing, or even heard people say, “Nama-slay” or “Nama-stay in bed” or any other spin off you can think of. Not only is the word / culture itself being disrespected but someone is profiting financially from the sale of products and likely none of that money is being sent to India for the benefit of those whose culture we are appropriating.
Another example would be yoga classes that are sold with add-ons (goats, beer, chocolate, naked, etc) as a marketing tool to gain more students. Again, it’s disrespectful to the spiritual nature of the practice, AND who is gaining financially? And don’t even get me started on Instagram and “influencers”….
All is not lost — there IS a difference between appropriation and appreciation. However this is my current sticky point. I am trying to do all the right things. I am trying to honor the sacred traditions and not cause harm, however I don’t know what I don’t know. Am I doing things due to lack of knowledge that are unintentionally causing harm, and is that just as bad? I am working to make changes in my classes (ending class without the use of the word Namaste, beginning the class with a spiritual lineage acknowledgement, incorporating all 8 limbs of the practice into my teaching, etc) and expand my own knowledge and awareness. But at the end of the day, the question that remains in my head is this: As a white woman from the U.S. SHOULD I EVEN BE TEACHING YOGA??? Do I have the right with my few years of experience and knowledge and zero inherent cultural context to even attempt to teach this sacred tradition to others. I can trace my learning directly to teachers in India or of Indian descent, so I believe that’s a good start. Sitting with this discomfort is a good start. Seeking out more information is a good start. Sharing this with all of you is a good start. But right now I just have so many more questions than I do answers.
I know that was a lot to consider and unpack. Sit with it for a while. See what you think, let me know what came up for you, and please feel free to share your thoughts with me on this topic. Also, if this has started a little fire in your brain and you want to learn more, PLEASE seek out information from those who can speak more knowledgeably on this topic! A few of my favorites are listed below:
Yoga is Dead (podcast)–Tejal and Jesal https://www.yogaisdeadpodcast.com/home
**Also photo credit to these two incredible women for my cover image on this post!!!**
Let’s Talk Yoga (podcast) — Arundhati Baitmangalkar https://letstalk.yoga/ (episodes 5 and 8)
Susanna Barkataki, author of Embrace Yoga’s Roots, https://www.susannabarkataki.com/ Her book is amazing as are any of the podcasts where she is interviewed (check out episodes 54, 75, and 79 of The Mentor Sessions https://www.francescacervero.com/category/podcast/).
