| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2019 | Volume
: 51
| Issue : 1 | Page : 34-37 |
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Is yoga cultural appropriation?
Danielle Thompson-Ochoa
Department of Counseling, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA
Correspondence Address:
Danielle Thompson-Ochoa
Gallaudet University, Washington, DC,
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ym.ym_5_19
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Introduction: Yoga was originally founded in South Asia and it was practiced by various South Asian individuals. It is a spiritual practice about the mind and body, as well as the meaning of life and the nature of the universe. The intended belief was yoga assist with self-development believed to reduce stress, increase beauty, strength, and muscle flexibility.
Aim and Objective: The main objective of this article is to highlight how yoga has transformed into controversial, elite, counter cultural and pop culture varieties with undertones of cultural appropriation.
Argument: The case of yoga and its appropriation by the Western culture creates a paradoxical situation. In this situation, approval and adoption of yoga in the West has made the practice more trendy and popular among middle-class urban Indian consumers and helped re-brand the practice. Such re-marketing has allowed to make yoga more appealing to the modern consumer and more concerned with the aspects related to physical performance, health and scientific explanation.
Conclusion: Although the notion of cultural appropriation can be discussed in the negative light, the article explores how yoga has transformed from a sacred practice to cultural appropriation by Western culture.
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