Yoga has become a ubiquitous aspect of modern wellness culture, with yoga studios and classes popping up everywhere from small towns to major cities around the world. However, few people are aware of the complex and controversial history of yoga and how it has been colonized and appropriated over time.
The origins of yoga can be traced back over 5,000 years to ancient India, where it was developed as a spiritual and physical practice. Yoga was initially only accessible to male Brahmins, the highest caste in the Hindu caste system, and was primarily practiced for spiritual purposes. Over time, yoga began to spread beyond the Brahmin caste and was eventually adopted by people of all castes, genders, and religions.
However, yoga's popularity outside of India began with its colonization by European powers, including the British Empire. In the 19th and 20th centuries, British colonizers in India began to take an interest in yoga as a way to better understand and control Indian culture. The British perceived yoga as an exotic, mystical practice, and they sought to study and analyze it in order to better understand the Indian people and their beliefs.
As a result, the British began to promote yoga as a physical exercise that could be practiced by anyone, regardless of their caste or religion. They also adapted yoga to fit into their own cultural and religious beliefs, removing many of the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the practice. This led to the development of what is now known as "modern yoga," which is primarily focused on physical postures and breathing exercises, rather than the spiritual and philosophical aspects of traditional yoga.
The colonization of yoga also involved the erasure of the contributions of women and marginalized communities. While men have traditionally been the primary practitioners and teachers of yoga, women have played a significant role in the development of yoga throughout history. For example, many of the foundational texts of yoga, such as the Yoga Sutras, were written by women. However, the contributions of women to the history of yoga have often been ignored or erased in favor of male-centric narratives.
Similarly, yoga has been used to marginalize and exclude communities of color. In the United States, yoga has often been portrayed as a practice for white, middle-class women, leading to the erasure of the contributions of people of color to the history of yoga. Additionally, the commodification of yoga has made it inaccessible to many people of color, who may not have the financial means to attend expensive yoga classes or retreats.
Despite these problematic aspects of the colonization of yoga, there are many people working to reclaim yoga as a practice rooted in its original traditions and teachings. This includes efforts to decolonize yoga by recognizing and honoring the contributions of women and marginalized communities, as well as efforts to promote more inclusive and accessible forms of yoga.
One way that yoga practitioners can work to decolonize yoga is by engaging with the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the practice. This includes studying the foundational texts of yoga, such as the Yoga Sutras, and learning about the history and traditions of yoga. It also involves acknowledging and honoring the contributions of women and marginalized communities to the development of yoga.
Another way to decolonize yoga is by promoting more inclusive and accessible forms of yoga. This includes making yoga more affordable and accessible to people of all races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It also involves recognizing the diverse cultural and religious roots of yoga and incorporating these into yoga classes and practices.
Ultimately, the colonization of yoga is a complex and multi-faceted issue, and there is no easy solution. However, by acknowledging and understanding the problematic aspects of the history of yoga, and by working to decolonize the practice, we can ensure that yoga remains a spiritual and physical practice that is accessible to all people, regardless of their race, gender, or background.