Disseminating Ancient Wisdom in the Modern Age with The Anti “Yogi”: Liberation, Not Lululemon
By Salma Syed and Eleni Kouvaras
Pictured: Red dance skirt, statues of Kali, Buddha, and Krishna. The Anti “Yogi” poster projected with bright red lights.
Back in June, we had the privilege of witnessing one of the seven sold out performances of The Anti “Yogi”, an incredible physical theater show starring Mayuri Bhandari that was co-directed by Shyamala Moorty and D’Lo. Mayuri, along with percussionist Neel Agrawal, stunned the crowd with intersectional depictions of cultural appropriation that highlighted the anger that comes with having one’s “culture cherry-picked and then sold back to you.” Through an amalgamation of dance, personal narrative, light-hearted jokes, and expression of existential spiritual concepts, The Anti “Yogi”” team delivered a much needed message in a truly unique form of performance art to the spiritual, theater, and dance communities of Los Angeles.
A Multilayered Performance
We were deeply moved by this show; it was not only hilarious, but also emotional, thought provoking, and motivating. We can still feel the stomps of Mayuri's feet as she lovingly and passionately expressed complex emotions through classical Indian, ‘folk, pop dance along with hip hop fusion’, yoga asana (postures), and the embodiment of characters such as Kali, Krishna, Buddha, Jain Tirthankaras and classmates she had during her Yogic Studies master’s program at Loyola Marymount University and studio settings. As she interacted with the audience through conscious eye contact and heartfelt speech, fluttering her bright red traditional skirt with determination, she gave the crowd a glimpse into the experience of Indians exposed to the western mutilation of traditional yogic teachings.
After guiding us on a journey through hopelessness, obligation, and surrender, Mayuri closed out the show with a recollection of her experience protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock. She noted that, although the term “yoga” was not used, the Lakota way of life mirrored the practices of yoga, affirming through this final anecdote that the work is what’s important, not the title we assign it. This goal of yoga far surpasses the physical postures and clothing that many westerners have come to associate with the term. Rather, we endeavor to promote internal well-being through the practices of yoga, and when these internal actions are reflected on our outer world, we move closer to achieving collective liberation.
Yes - Liberation, NOT Lululemon
The yoga industry is worth over $100,000,000,000, yet the South Asian cultures from which these practices originate see no benefit from this commercialization. The capitalistic push to obtain specific yoga clothing, body types, and poses partnered with high-demand $100+ pants and mats shed light on the superficial core at the center of the westernized yoga world. However, the marketing schemes used can be quite convincing; we’ll be honest, we’ve fallen for these traps in the early days of walking the yogic path. For many of us, these money-grabbing tactics actually made us start to question what yoga really was all about, ultimately helping us dive deeper into the authentic teachings of the ancient practices and denounce the corporate greed that has tainted its name.
The Commodification and Cultural Appropriation of Yoga in the West
In many instances, yoga has been stripped of its profound spiritual and philosophical roots and reduced to a mere physical exercise routine aimed at weight loss, flexibility, sexual expression, or stress relief. While yoga definitely has many of these benefits, these commodifications manifest in the proliferation of branded yoga studios, expensive gear, and trendy styles that prioritize appearance over authentic practice. Such an approach overlooks the holistic essence of yoga, which encompasses principles of ethics, meditation, and breath control, fostering a deep connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is not merely a series of postures that compose a 60-minute class; it is community service, mindful living, devotion, and so much more. Far too often the rich historical and cultural contexts from which yoga originated are neglected, ultimately leading to a diluted and fragmented understanding of a holistic way of being.
Yoga emerges from multiple traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, and each asana has an origin story. Pranayama (breathwork) is prescribed by ayurvedic doctors to heal ailments, and ancient yogic texts detail mind-boggling concepts of which our modern society is barely scratching the surface. Cultural appropriation is a significant issue in western yoga practices. Characterized by the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of elements from Indian and other cultures, examples of these appropriations include the use of Sanskrit terms (especially if not following up with the meaning or etymology) , miss use of traditional symbols, and religious rituals in ways that are disconnected from their original meanings and contexts.
Many Western practitioners and teachers adopt these elements superficially, without recognizing the sacred nature or historical struggles faced by the communities from which they originate. The stark reality is that the populations from which yoga emerged were often discriminated against and even harmed for partaking in the same practices that appropriators are now celebrated for. This lack of respect and understanding can perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to the erasure of the cultural significance of yoga over strikingly short periods of time.
Combatting Cultural Appropriation: A Call for Conscious Practice
As yoga teachers and practitioners, we can combat these issues through conscious and respectful engagement with the practice. Educating ourselves about the history, philosophies, and cultural significance of yoga is a crucial first step. This involves studying traditional texts, learning from authentic sources, and acknowledging the contributions of South Asian scholars and practitioners. It also means committing to the lifelong process of continually educating oneself, admitting fault when mistakes are made, celebrating the voices that aim to preserve the original teachings, and listening more than speaking when we are in the company of those who have more context than we do about a particular topic.
The Anti “Yogi” challenged the picture-perfect yoga world and reminded us that yoga is about far more than asana. This performance was a much-needed reminder that listening, reflecting, and studying yoga's history and roots is vital to honoring the ancient practices that we are so grateful to have as tools in our modern lives.
Ways you can honor the traditions of yoga:
Lifelong learning / continual education of history, philosophies, and cultural significance of yoga
Admitting fault when mistakes are made
Celebrating authentic voices
Listen more than you speak when with people who have more context than you
Support inclusivity by sharing practices, making them accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Engage in self-reflection and ethical living by embodying the core values and principles of the tradition.
Connecting to the true purpose of your practice (the why)
More info at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10384?tab=details
