Yoga, Cultural Appropriation, and the Path to Deeper Connection

“Yoga is not about tightening your hamstrings—it’s about loosening your grip on who you think you are.”

Yoga has woven its way into nearly every corner of the world. What was once an esoteric practice from the Indian subcontinent is now a global phenomenon, practiced in high-rise studios in New York, on beaches in Bali, in living rooms and city parks.

And yet, with its rise in popularity, yoga has also sparked a conversation—one that is both necessary and complex:

At what point does the sharing of a cultural tradition become taking? Where does appreciation end and appropriation begin? And how can we, as modern practitioners, ensure that we are honouring yoga rather than diluting or distorting it?

These are not easy questions. And as someone of mixed international heritage, I often find myself wrestling with them—not just in yoga, but in all aspects of life. What does it mean to borrow, to inherit, to be influenced by cultures that are not our own? Is all cultural exchange a form of appropriation, or is there a way to engage with reverence, curiosity, and respect?

Let’s explore this together—not to shame, but to deepen our understanding. Because the goal here is not to push people away from yoga, but rather to invite them into it—not just physically, but spiritually, historically, and ethically.

What Is Cultural Appropriation, and How Does It Relate to Yoga?

Cultural appropriation happens when elements of one culture—often a historically marginalized or colonized culture—are taken, used, or commercialized by people from a more dominant culture without understanding or respecting their origins. It’s often a power imbalance: one group profits from traditions that another group was once oppressed for practicing.

When it comes to yoga, appropriation can show up in ways both obvious and subtle:

• Stripping yoga of its roots – When yoga is treated as a purely physical workout with no acknowledgment of its deeper purpose.

• Misusing sacred symbols and language – When Sanskrit mantras, deities, or spiritual imagery are used as aesthetic branding without understanding their meaning.

• Commodification – When yoga is marketed purely for profit, with little respect for its cultural and spiritual depth.

• Ignoring the origins of yoga – When Western narratives present yoga as something “discovered” by the West, rather than acknowledging its thousands of years of history in South Asia.

But let’s pause here—because this does not mean that if you practice yoga and you’re not Indian, you are doing something wrong. The issue is not about who practices yoga, but how they engage with it.

Yoga was never meant to be exclusive. The great sages of India were not guarding it like a secret club. Yoga, at its heart, is about liberation—and that liberation is for everyone.

But when we step onto this path, we have a responsibility to honor its lineage with care, humility, and depth.

The Difference Between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation

Not all cultural exchange is appropriation. Cultures have always influenced and learned from one another—that is how human civilization has evolved. But the difference between appropriation and appreciation often comes down to knowledge, respect, and intent.

Cultural Appropriation in Yoga:

• Practicing or teaching yoga with no awareness of its history.

• Using Sanskrit or Hindu imagery as decoration without understanding its meaning.

• Whitewashing yoga by removing its connection to India or erasing Indian teachers.

• Commercializing yoga purely for profit without respecting its roots.

Cultural Appreciation in Yoga:

• Learning about yoga’s origins, philosophy, and spiritual depth.

• Acknowledging and crediting the Indian lineage of yoga.

• Using Sanskrit with understanding and respect, rather than as an aesthetic.

• Supporting South Asian teachers, authors, and communities that uphold yoga’s heritage.

In other words, the key to not appropriating yoga is education, respect, and deep engagement.

Honoring Yoga’s Roots Without Guilt or Fear

Conversations about cultural appropriation can sometimes make people feel defensive—or worse, discouraged. But yoga is not about shame. It is about awakening.

The solution is not to stop practicing yoga. The solution is to go deeper.

Ways to Engage With Yoga Respectfully and Authentically:

1. Learn about yoga beyond the poses.

• Read the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, or explore the roots of yoga philosophy.

• Understand that yoga is not just a physical practice—it is a path of transformation.

2. Acknowledge where yoga comes from.

• If you’re a teacher, honor yoga’s lineage in your classes.

• If you use Sanskrit, do so with reverence—learn the meaning of the words rather than using them as exotic decoration.

3. Support South Asian voices in yoga.

• Seek out Indian and South Asian teachers, authors, and scholars.

• Read books, listen to podcasts, and follow voices that preserve the integrity of yoga’s roots.

4. Reflect on your relationship with yoga.

• Ask yourself: Am I engaging with yoga in a way that is meaningful and ethical?

• How can I deepen my practice beyond the physical?

5. Be open to nuance.

• Conversations about culture and appropriation are complex. There is no perfect answer, and different people will have different perspectives. Stay open, curious, and willing to learn.

Yoga Is a Gift—Let’s Treat It That Way

Yoga is one of the greatest gifts humanity has been given. It has survived for thousands of years, passed down through lineages, evolving and adapting while still carrying the same essential truth:

Yoga is about connection. Union. The dissolution of separation.

And that means it is not something we own. It is something we receive.

So let’s receive it with gratitude. Let’s practice with awareness. Let’s be students, always—approaching yoga not as something to be consumed, but as something to be honoured, studied, and embodied.

This is not about guilt. It is about depth. It is about respect. And, ultimately, it is about love.

If we engage with yoga in this way—not just as a workout, not just as a trend, but as a profound tradition—we not only do justice to its roots. We also allow it to work on us—to shape us into more aware, compassionate, and wise beings.

And isn’t that the point?

What are your thoughts on this? How do you navigate yoga’s cultural roots in your own practice? Let’s continue the conversation—with openness, honesty, and respect.