Yoga 101: Practice without Appropriating

I want to write more about Yoga, as it is a large part of my Spiritual practice, personal life experience, as well as my healing, self care for mental health, and overall Well-Being. Though before I begin, I want to make a point to state that Western Yoga is not really 'real yoga.' Ironically, the information I'm about to share is what I've gained in education through years of practicing Western Yoga, as well as completing a 200 hour Hot Yoga Teacher Training in Phoenix, Arizona, from Radi8 Hot Yoga.

The practice of Yoga can be traced back up to 5,000 years ago, originating in India. The practice derives from Indian Spiritual practices and elements of religious practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and others. This Sacred practice is simply not America's to claim. Even writing this I feel conflicting emotions, as I deeply know it is not my cultural tradition to teach, let alone taking it as a topic of my writing. Some authentic Yoga teachers here in the West say that to teach Yoga without inclusion of the Sanskrit language, Yogic history, culture, and ideals as a whole, is a form of cultural appropriation.

I am in no way an expert of Yoga, there is tons more available for me to learn, not just in the asanas (poses), but the history, the Sanskrit language, the philosophies, the weaving of 8 Limbs (a piece of Yogic Philosophy) into my daily life. Ancient Yogis devoted their lives to studying the practice before they were understood as Gurus. Hopefully as I continue to expand my Yoga practice, I will be able to share more of what I learn.

Though Yoga is here, booming in the West. Hot Yoga studios are all around the country. At the least, in my experience, there is no lack of Western Hot Yoga in Michigan, California, Colorado, Tennessee or Arizona. I got certified to teach in Phoenix, and I feel full-body appreciation for the teachers who passed along not only the methods and structures of teaching a class, but the Yogis who had deep, disciplined devotion to preserving the authenticity of the full Yoga practice. I went into the training at the beginning of 2020, feeling like maybe I had found my vocational path. Yet, I came out of the training with new curiosities about meditation, crystals, Reiki healing energy, moonology, various Spiritual wisdom philosophies, and a growing awareness of the control I have over my own life. I got my certification and felt I had (and still have) a lot more to learn before I step in front of a class to teach.

All of that being said, and though I am not an active Yoga teacher, I have learned about Yoga in ways that may assist others who want to practice, yet also have a slight resistance due to the levels of cultural appropriation in Western yoga studios. Every studio is different, and in both my absolute adoration for Yoga, and my growing refusal to appropriate a culture that is not my own, I understand myself to have become somewhat of a 'yoga snob.' So here is my 'how-to' choose your studio from a Western-Yoga perspective and an effort to minimize my contribution to the cultural appropriation of Yoga.

*Note: Hot Yoga studios are Yoga studios that actively heat the studio room, some add humidity as well. Prepare to sweat!

---

How to Choose your Yoga Studio

1. Maps and Lists

Do a quick search of "Yoga" or "Hot Yoga" in your area, adjusting out how far you are willing to travel. Most studios have an introduction deal for new yogis ($30 for 30 days, etc). Write down a list on paper, or in your notes app, all the studios you're willing to drive to in the area. Add their introductory deal underneath each studio, how long the drive is, if it's hot, and any other things you notice. What is their website advertising most? Can you notice any values coming through their advertisement? Strength? Workout? Muscles? Balance? Sound healing (Gongs, chimes, crystal bowls)? Pranayama (Breath control)? Are there any studios you feel you can cross off your list, studios at which you're not willing to practice?

2. Yoke

Start with one studio and their introduction deal. If possible, purchase in person. The Sanskrit word "Yoga" comes from the meaning "to yoke," "to join with," "to unite." There should be a sense of community and inclusiveness at your yoga studio! Introduce yourself and notice how they welcome you, if someone gives you a tour or additional information about the studio's offerings. Are there workshops? Sound-healings, pranayama, mythology teachings? Are they condescending before you even enter the classroom? Some may have more experience or knowledge, and a simultaneous humility and acceptance of others is vital for me personally, to support a studio and/or teacher.

3. Inward and Onward

Stay in your own mat! Yes, Yoga is to unite and join with, and it is such a treat to feel connected with the Yogis around you. But Yoga is also to unite and join with yourself, your breath, your body. It is to unite you, the physical and thinking you, with your deep inner soulful self. I like to set my mat towards the back, so I have less opportunity to consider how others are perceiving me and my practice. It is helpful to "keep my eyes on my own fries," AKA, focus on my practice, my breath, and my body. Don't shut the entire practice or studio down because you're in a forward fold while another Yogi is in a handstand.

4. Yoga with a capital Y

As you attend classes at different studios, notice what they are teaching. Does it feel like a forceful workout or a practice? Is there a focus on the act of breathing? The Sanskrit word "Vinyasa" is to connect breath with movement ("Vinyasa" literally means: to place/put in a special place), so if a studio is calling a class "Vinyasa Yoga," there should be an embracing focus on connecting each movement to breath-- a lot of studios are great at this). Is there an element of meditation? What is being taught aside from the poses? Are you gaining any knowledge about Yoga that you didn't know before you laid out your mat? This could be a mention of Yoga Philosophy through the 8 limbs or Yoga Sutras, or simply the use of the Sanskrit language throughout the practice.

5. Sanskrit to Appreciate

Sanskrit is a simple simple simple yet vital way to appreciate the cultural history of Yoga. Sanskrit is the language of Yoga. For example, what Western Yogis call "chair pose," is actually the pose "Utkatasana," in Sanskrit, which translates to "fierce seat," or "powerful pose." By stripping the Sanskrit word or meaning, we are appropriating the culture, and also seemingly degrading the pose from the powerful, fierce pose that it is, down to "chair." It is not chair pose and it has never been chair pose. It is "Utkatasana," or "fierce." Is there at least an attempt to include Sanskrit throughout the class? For me, this is a key deal-breaker or green flag to support a studio. (Thank you Cheryl Oliver of Authentic Yoga in Scottsdale, my Sanskrit teacher during my YTT in Arizona, for educating me on both the language of Sanskrit, and the importance of Sanskrit use in Western Yoga as to appreciate Yoga, rather than appropriate).

6. Notice: Teachers and Classes

As you continue with your introductory deal, stay aware of which teachers and classes you prefer. Are there certain teachers who embrace you going at the pace of your own breath? Are classes allowing you to both learn and practice? Are teachers offering different variations of the poses? If they are using Sanskrit, are they also providing verbal sensual cues so you can get into the pose without lifting your head to look around at everybody else? Are teachers doing (what I believe is) their job of teaching without condescending? Don't shut out an entire studio just because of one teacher!

7. Stick with It

Have a little patience, and be willing to take mental note of each studio. One of the top priorities is that you feel safe and good on your mat. Know that there is a difference between feeling insecure that you don't already "know" this studio's unique ways or certain poses, and actually feeling unsafe, a deep knowing of discomfort from within, telling you "it's time to go." Cycle through your list from step 1, and find a studio that fits. Have a yogi good time!

---

Like I said, I'm no expert. Inauthentic yoga can be a great tool for those who feel their religion is threatened by other spiritual practices, to dip their toes into meditation and mindfulness. Do with that what you will, knowing there is more to Yoga than the asana.

If you have more feedback or comments regarding Yoga, or if you feel I left out vital information from this post, please comment or fill out the contact form by clicking the button below.

Get In Touch