Ep 22: Yoga, Social Media, and Cultural Appropriation

Social media has become an influential platform for yoga teachers. Shaping not only how you share your practice, but also how you perceive yourself within the yoga community. One significant impact is the pressure to conform to certain aesthetic standards and trends prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 

Cultural appropriation in the realm of yoga is a complex and often contentious issue, especially when viewed through the lens of social media. Social media platforms have become popular where yoga students and teachers from diverse backgrounds converge to share their practice, teachings, and insights. However, within this digital landscape. The lines between appreciation and appropriation of cultural elements can often blur. The misrepresentation of traditional practices on social media, can unwittingly perpetuate harmful stereotypes and erode the integrity of yoga's origins. Understanding the nuances of cultural appropriation in yoga and its manifestation on social media is crucial for fostering, a more respectful and inclusive yoga community.

There are so many topics to dive into when we're talking about or thinking about the effects social media has on yoga. In this episode, let's do a deep dive into cultural appropriation. 

So go get your journals because this is going to be a good one!

Transcript

Speaker: 0:00

Social media has become an influential platform for yoga teachers, shaping not only how you share your practice, but also how you perceive yourself within the yoga community. One significant impact is the pressure to conform to certain aesthetic standards and trends prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I chose those two specifically because they're visually driven. In the past, you may have been bombarded with images of advanced poses in picturesque settings, which we know leads to a culture of comparisonitis and unrealistic expectations. This pressure to present an idealized image of your practice can create feelings of insecurity and self doubt and minimizes the authenticity of your teaching. Cultural appropriation in the realm of yoga is a complex and often contentious issue, especially when viewed through the lens of social media. Social media platforms have become popular, where yoga students and teachers from diverse backgrounds converge to share their practice, their teachings, and insights. However, within this digital landscape, the lines between appreciation and appropriation of cultural elements can often blur. The misrepresentation of traditional practices on social media can unwittingly perpetuate harmful stereotypes and erode the integrity of yoga's origins. Understanding the nuances of cultural appropriation in yoga and its manifestation on social media is crucial for fostering a more respectful and inclusive yoga community. There are so many topics to dive into when we're talking about or thinking about the effects social media has on yoga. In this episode, let's do a deep dive on cultural appropriation. So, go get your journals, because this is going to be a good one. Welcome to the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers podcast with me. I'm Monica Bright and I've been teaching yoga and running my yoga business for over a decade. This is the podcast for you if you're a yoga teacher, you're looking for support, you love to be in conversation, and you're a lifelong student. In this podcast, I'll share with you. My life as a yoga teacher, the lessons I've learned, all the stuff that wasn't taught in teacher training, my process for building my business and helpful ideas, tools, strategies, and systems I use and you can use so that your business thrives. We'll cover A diverse range of topics that will help you whether you're just starting out or you've got years under your belt and you want to dive deep and set yourself up for success. I'm so glad you're here. Listen, I don't take myself too seriously, so expect to hear some laughs along the way. Now let's do this together. Cultural appropriation is perhaps one of the most debated topics in the yoga community. Many argue that yoga, which has origins in some say ancient India and others say ancient Egypt, has been commercialized and appropriated by Western culture without proper acknowledgement of its roots. I think the tide is changing a little bit on this in recent years. But this debate often leads to discussions on how to practice yoga respectfully and authentically. Do you remember the days before social media? Although on one hand we were more connected with our closer community, we were disconnected from the broader community. I think of the people I've reconnected with from years ago and how social media has brought us back to each other's lives. And I think about the new people I've met over the years online. and how we've cultivated such close relationships with the hopes of meeting in person one day. With the emergence of social media, and in addition to cultivating these relationships, it has proven to be a powerful tool for sharing the gift and benefits of yoga. Over the years, you may have noticed, too, the quote unquote perfect bodies. The extreme poses and the unrealistic ideas, like for example, meditation is so easy. Just sit and be still right? Birth from this perfectionistic portrayal of yoga online and the idea that it's a bendy practice available for a few like the thin or the wealthy or only the white practitioners while ignoring and not teaching yoga's other teachings. This continued ignoring of yoga's roots slowly started the conversation around cultural appropriation. And some recently have started to ask, well, what about the other limbs of yoga? How can this practice be reduced to shapes and bodies? And are Western yoga practitioners and teachers adequately informed about the cultural context and history of yoga? Cultural appropriation in yoga refers to the adoption, often without proper understanding or respect, of elements from one culture by members of another culture, typically a dominant culture. In the context of yoga, cultural appropriation often involves the appropriation of spiritual practices, symbols, clothing, and rituals by predominantly Western practitioners. This appropriation often perpetuates stereotypes, diminishes the cultural significance of these practices, and contributes to the erasure of their origins and context. While the South Asian origins of yoga are well documented and widely recognized, There is ongoing debate and research about the influence of other ancient civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, on the development of yogic practices. Some scholars suggest that there may have been cross cultural exchanges and influences between ancient India and Egypt. leading to the adoption and adaptation of certain yogic techniques and concepts in Egyptian spiritual practices. Kemetic yoga is based on the idea that many of the principles and practices found in modern yoga have their roots in ancient Egypt. Proponents of Kemetic yoga believe that the poses, um, breathing techniques and spiritual concepts found in yoga originated in ancient Egypt. And were later transmitted to other cultures, including India. One of the distinguishing features of Kemetic Yoga is its emphasis on geometrically precise movements and postures, often inspired by the imagery and symbolism found in ancient Egyptian art and hieroglyphics. Karmic Yoga practitioners may incorporate specific hand gestures, chants, and visualizations into their practice, drawing on the symbolism and mythology of ancient Egypt to deepen their connection to the divine. Regardless of its precise origins, Yoga continues to evolve and adapt as a global phenomenon. offering practitioners of all backgrounds a path toward greater well being, self awareness, and spiritual growth. But cultural appropriation still rears its ugly head. On social media, it typically manifests in these ways. Number one, a misrepresentation of yogic traditions. Many yoga influencers on social media selectively highlight and commodify certain aspects of yoga such as poses or mantras, while overlooking or disregarding their cultural and spiritual significance. This can lead to a shallow and distorted understanding of yoga, divorced from its rich cultural heritage and philosophical underpinnings. A deeper dive into the study of asana, and you don't really have to dig that deep to know, but a deeper dive reveals that asanas prepare the student for the extended time in a seat for meditation. But social media posts on asana are not generally helping students understand that. Instead, it's more focused on visuals. Number 2. Portraying South Asian or Ancient Egyptian culture as exotic or strange. Some social media influence perpetuates stereotypes about these cultures by exoticizing or fetishizing traditional clothing, symbols, or practices. And in doing so, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and contributing to the marginalization of these voices within the yoga community. Number three, appropriation of sacred symbols and rituals. Certain symbols and rituals that hold deep spiritual significance in South Asian and Kemetic cultures, such as the OM symbol or the lotus flower. Or the Ankh or the Eye of Horus are often appropriated and commercialized on social media without proper understanding or reverence. This can be deeply offensive to members of the originating culture and contribute to the commodification of sacred traditions. And number four, erasure of indigenous and marginalized voices. This We've seen the dominance of Western, predominantly white voices in the yoga community on social media and this dominance tends to push aside indigenous voices, leaving them unheard. This not only keeps certain groups in power, but also makes it harder for those who are most affected by cultural appropriation to speak up. It's like a cycle where the powerful keep getting more power and those who should be heard remain silenced. The question is, can we address and find solutions to issues of cultural appropriation within the yoga community on social media? One significant way social media facilitates this dialogue is by simply providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and amplified. Through posts and online discussions. People from diverse cultural backgrounds have a bigger platform to share their perspectives and lived experiences. Shedding light on the ways in which yoga has been appropriated and misrepresented. I continue to hope that this increased visibility of marginalized voices will fosters awareness and empathy among all practitioners, laying the groundwork for meaningful conversations about cultural appropriation and its impact. Social media does enable teachers and students to access a wealth of resources and educational content on the topic of cultural appropriation. But this pursuit does also need to be a proactive one as well. Like you can't just rely on the algorithm or posts to educate you. It would be more beneficial for you to ask the questions and seek answers. Influential voices within the yoga community often share posts, articles, podcasts, and videos addressing the nuances of cultural appropriation and offer guidance on how to practice yoga respectfully and responsibly. This sharing of knowledge helps people learn and talk more about being culturally sensitive and inclusive in their own yoga practice and teaching. Additionally, Social media serves as a platform for accountability and activism, prompting individuals and organizations to take concrete actions to address issues of cultural appropriation within the yoga community. Public call outs and discussions on social media platforms can hold individuals and organizations accountable for appropriative behavior, prompting them to reflect on their actions and make meaningful changes. Furthermore, social media campaigns and initiatives such as petitions, boycotts, and advocacy efforts can mobilize collective action and drive systemic change within the industry. I personally saw a swell of this activity during the pandemic. How about you? You know, I'm a solutions driven girly. So let's talk about a few. Um, so get your journals so you can jot these solutions down. So even though it may seem like an impossible task, there are several impactful steps you can take to contribute to positive change within the yoga community. The first is to educate yourself. Take the initiative to educate yourself about issues of cultural appropriation. Diversity and inclusivity within yoga. Read books, articles, and attend workshops or trainings led by diverse voices within the yoga community to deepen your understanding. Next is to examine your teaching. Reflect on your own teaching practices and how they may unintentionally perpetuate cultural appropriation. Next is to examine exclusivity. Consider the language you use, the images you share on social media, and the cultural context of the practices you teach. Next, amplify marginalized voices. Use your platform as a yoga teacher to amplify the voices of marginalized communities within the yoga world. Share resources, articles, and teachings from diverse voices, and actively seek out opportunities to collaborate and uplift. Marginalized teachers and practitioners. This is easy to do next, create inclusive spaces, foster inclusivity and accessibility in your yoga classes and workshops by creating a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Be mindful of language, cues, and adjustments that may be exclusionary or triggering. And strive to make your classes accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Next, engage in community dialogue. Participate in community discussions and initiatives aimed at addressing issues of cultural appropriation and promoting cultural appropriation. Diversity within the yoga community. Join online forums, attend workshops yourself, and engage in respectful dialogue with fellow teachers and practitioners about how to create a more inclusive and equitable yoga community. And finally, continuously learn and evolve. Stay open to feedback and be willing to continuously learn and evolve as a teacher. Ask yourself if you're receptive to constructive criticism and be proactive in seeking out opportunities for growth and learning, both personally and professionally. And I want to leave you with four questions to ask yourself as you navigate your teaching journey with respect for cultural appropriation. I want you to pause and write each question. So you can come back to them often. The first question, am I aware of the power dynamics and historical inequalities that shape my relationship to yoga as a practitioner and a teacher? Number two, am I mindful of the ways in which my privilege And positionality as a yoga teacher may influence how I perceive and interact with yoga and its cultural heritage. Number three, am I committed to creating a safe and inclusive space in my classes where students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome, respected, and valued? And number four, how can I use my platform and influence as a yoga teacher to promote cultural sensitivity? inclusivity and social justice within the yoga community and beyond. Ultimately, while social media is not without its limitations, it has played a crucial role in catalyzing conversations, raising awareness and mobilizing action around issues of cultural appropriation within the yoga community. By harnessing the power of social media to amplify marginalized voices, educate students, and hold individuals and organizations accountable, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and culturally respectful yoga community. At least, this is my hope, and I hope it's your hope too. Cultural appropriation is such an important topic, and my hope is that we continuously talk about it. Being cognizant of how you show up as a yoga teacher in person and online is something we should take very seriously. It's so important for us to have this conversation so that you remember that there are so many important discussions to be had in the teaching world. You know that my goal is for you to love the yoga teaching life and allow it to be fulfilling and rewarding. And sometimes it takes some work to get there. If you love this episode, let me know. Subscribe to the podcast. So you're always in the know when a new episode drops and share it with another yoga teacher who you think would love to be in on these conversations. Thank you for helping to spread the word about this podcast. And finally, don't forget to join my newsletter. That's just for yoga teachers. I'll link it in the show notes below, and I would love for you to join it so we can always stay connected. If you listened to this episode and you're on Instagram, I'd love it if you shared it in your stories. Tag me, my handle is Monica C Bright, and I'd love to see what you have to say about it. All right. That's it for now. Bye.