Deepening our Yoga Practice
Ancient Indian Philosophy over Instagram
As the flux of modern life becomes increasingly overwhelming, it is easy to understand why people are seeking solace in yoga practice. However, the modern yoga studio is often oriented around proclaiming the fitness benefits of yoga, and overlooks its vibrant history and spiritual grounding. Despite yoga having its origins in ancient Indian philosophy, when you type ‘yoga’ into instagram, most, if not all, of the top results are edited photos of young, white women stretching into contortions. Modern yoga practice has become disconnected from its roots, and hence, has lost some of its value as a mental and spiritual practice. Amidst the wave of gentrified studios offering glamorous yoga classes, it is important to educate ourselves and appreciate the history and sacrosanct nature of yoga.
Yoga is one of six orthodox Astika schools of Indian philosophical traditions, and various schools of Yoga are associated with Eastern religions including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The earliest systematic forms of Yoga date back to the 5th and 6th century BCE, in the ancient Indian ascetic movement. The first use of the word ‘Yoga’ was in hymn 5.81.1 of the Rig Veda, a dedication to the morning rising of the Sun-God Savitri. Classic Yoga as we recognise dates back to the writings of Patanjali who produced the Yoga Sutras as a written guide to Yoga poses and helping the reader create peaceful fulfillment.
“Despite yoga having its origins in ancient Indian philosophy, when you type ‘yoga’ into instagram, most, if not all, of the top results are edited photos of young, white women stretching into contortions.”
Even the word ‘Yoga’ is imbued with spiritual meaning. In Epic Sanskrit, Yoga is associated with the philosophical system of uniting the human spirit with that of the Divine, and in a sense, this spiritual connection should be maintained throughout Yoga practice. Other texts provide explanations of yoga as follows: "Yoga is said to be the oneness of one entity with another." (Mālinīvijayottara Tantra); “Yoga is fourfold: faith, aspiration, perseverance and means.” (Yogācārabhūmi-Śāstra); “Be equal minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga” (Bhagavad Gita).
Yoga is frequently reduced to a singular practice, but different schools of Yoga have sprung up organically throughout its evolution. Some of the main schools of practice will be explained as follows: Hatha Yoga is what is probably most recognisable in modern yoga classes, and is based on forceful practice of physical poses balancing the sun and the moon in poses that are more static and slow. Similar slow practices are found in Yin Yoga which incorporates traditional Chinese Buddhist influences to bring a more meditative focus on finding inner silence. This contrasts with other practices like Vinyasa Yoga which is more breath-led and focused on its flow to move towards what is most sacred. Modern practices have also emerged like Bikram Yoga which consists of a fixed series of 26 postures in a heated room which replicates India’s climate.
It seems problematic to dilute the practice of yoga globally without at least the bare understanding of its origins and history. Yoga’s history is inherently religious, and it seems a little shallow to appropriate this merely for a fitness routine. Not to suggest you shouldn’t practice Yoga without spending hours reading about it, but making sure you appreciate the roots of Yoga and its spiritual nature seems important and respectful. In particular, the practice of capitalising on and profiting off an ancient spiritual practice in overpriced studios seems completely at odds with the ethos of Yoga.
Graphics from @unityyogis on Instagram
This problem isn’t just a theoretical one: Shrey Jain, a student at the University of Bristol, reflects on what the appropriation of yoga means to her: “Yoga is a 5000-year-old Indian spiritual philosophy but, in recent years, has very quickly transformed into a fitness fad. In its commercialisation it has lost its meaning. This is not only problematic but deeply disturbing. Indians, who have been oppressed for generations, are now having their culture misappropriated by their very oppressors. It is mainly privileged white people who claim all the profits of this new multi-billion dollar industry and the high cost of yoga classes only perpetuate this privilege. As an Indian who has grown up with yoga, it's upsetting to see an entire spiritual philosophy reduced to out-of-context 'Namaste's’ and over-sexualised Instagram posts by slim white women. The physical 'poses' of yoga are in fact only 1/8th of classical yoga, so why such a focus on outward appearance? The sad part is, a lot of Indians I know, myself included, would feel uncomfortable attending Western studios wearing traditional clothes or practice chanting or breathwork for fear of being ridiculed by a class of white students taught by a 200-hour-certificate holding 'guru'. This has to change. I want to see more POC representation in the yoga community, and a respect for yoga's roots by white practitioners. As long as those who are spreading the awareness of yoga do this in a respectful and educated way, yoga is for everyone.”
Moving forwards, we all should make the effort to connect more with the history of Yoga. Reading up on the subject can teach us about its intricacies, and help maintain the traditions of Yoga. If you’re looking for more diverse accounts to follow I would also recommend @unityyogis for their beautiful illustrations! Even just reflecting and meditating on the core spiritual connections Yoga promotes can help add depth and relaxation into your practice. Returning to a more spiritual and reflective Yoga practice can help reconnect with its history and help you deepen your Yoga practice.
