Run a quick Google image search for yoga pants and you’ll find yourself going down a virtual rabbit hole of legs. Legs clothed in skin-tight, neon leggings with the trendiest prints on them. Inevitably, they’re all women’s legs. It’s a far cry from the loin-cloth clad, mountain-dwelling yogi. Yoga today is a mainstream fitness activity all over the world, one that is increasingly being associated with fashion. The company Lululemon, for instance, has built an entire brand out of ‘yoga-inspired’ apparel. A large part of yoga’s marketing in the West relies on women — women who contort their incredibly toned bodies in poses so convoluted, you get a muscle pull just looking at them.

Image Source: my.asiatatler.com

Yoga has become a global fitness phenomenon. And that’s a great thing. People all over the world can share in its message and benefits. However, with the spread of variants like ‘beer yoga’ and ‘goat yoga’ one wonders if the spiritual essence of the practice is lost in fashionable cosmetic fitness. You don’t need expensive sweatpants or peak flexibility to sign up for a yoga class. Yoga is not simply contorting your body in a studio for an hour each day. It is an ancient spiritual philosophy, a conscious practice that pervades the very way you think and breathe.

Beer Yoga Image Source: khadosodenglish.com

The word ‘yoga’ itself means ‘union’ in Sanskrit and has several variants. Classical or Astanga Yoga is an eight-limbed tradition, with the ultimate goal of samadhi, described as a state of meditative consciousness where the soul is united with the infinite spirit. It is a state of unity, oneness, complete absorption. The practice of yoga in the West, however, focuses either exclusively or excessively on only one of the eight limbs — asana or posture. With the idea of the ‘perfect’ body permeating fitness branding, asanas are often cherry-picked to target certain areas of the body, such as the belly or the buttocks. This contradicts the holistic approach that classical yoga promotes — a harmonious union of the mind, body, and spirit.

And there lies the trouble. The practice of yoga is all too often glamourized, without any regard for its historical origins, and its cultural and spiritual significance. As harmless as it may seem, it is an instance of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is the adoption of certain symbols, practices, knowledge or other elements of another, often marginalized culture, without understanding the original culture and context. For example, Rima Deshpande writes of the time a yoga instructor showered glitter on the learners as a ‘fun’ substitute for akshata, or coloured rice often used in Hindu rituals to signify auspicious blessings. There have also been instances of yoga students working out to fast-paced music, instead of concentrating on rhythmic breath control.

Of course, all acts of cultural appropriation are not undertaken with the intention to offend. Perhaps, the yoga teacher who showered glitter on her students believed she was celebrating Indian culture. Admittedly, the widespread popularity of yoga does have its advantages. For one, the practice has become more inclusive. More and more women are becoming yoga instructors and creating safe spaces for other women who wish to learn, and would be uncomfortable with a male instructor. It’s precisely because yoga is so diverse and multifaceted that it caters to a wide range of interests. Whether a learner is looking to lose weight or find inner peace, they can turn to yoga. Courses can then be tailored according to the learner’s goals. What’s more, with the demand for courses and chic apparel on the rise, yoga is expected to become an industry worth $11.5 billion in the US by 2020. This is an industry rife with employment and investment opportunities.

Indeed, with its massive growth as an industry, yoga risks losing its roots. Boycotting yoga classes, however, is not a solution. The fact that an ancient practice has become internationally accessible is worth celebrating. What we should do is take the time to educate ourselves about the historical and cultural origins of yoga, and its spiritual significance when we take up a class.

If you want to get yourself to yoga class, but don’t have the time, book a live online session with expert teachers at Bookurclass.com. With BookUrClass, you can learn in the comfort of your home, at your convenience, without missing out on interaction with teachers. Pick a slot that works for you. You can even book a trial class, before picking one that best suits your needs.

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