Yoga: Cultural Appreciation or Appropriation?

Hanneke Du Toit
Mar 10
4 min read

If I had a penny for every time someone asked me, “But yoga is just some stretching, right?” I’d probably be able to fund a lifetime of retreats. While it’s true that yoga has become a global phenomenon, its essence often gets lost in translation. In many ways, what began as a profound spiritual practice in ancient India has been reduced to a fitness trend in the West. This brings us to a contentious and often triggering topic: cultural appropriation.

At Namaskar, we believe that yoga is more than just a physical practice—it’s connection. Connection to yourself, to nature, and to the ancient wisdom that has been passed down through generations. But as yoga grows in popularity worldwide, it’s crucial to reflect and ask: Are we honouring its roots, or are we appropriating a sacred tradition?

What is Cultural Appropriation?

Cultural appropriation refers to taking elements from a culture that is not your own, often commercialising them and stripping them of their original context. In the case of yoga, this can look like:

Wearing “Namastay in Bed” T-shirts or getting tattoos of decontextualised Sanskrit phrases or Hindu deities.
Reducing yoga to a workout routine, erasing its spiritual and philosophical depth.
Using sacred symbols or practices superficially, without understanding their meaning.

Words like Namaste—which means “the divine in me bows to the divine in you”—are meant to remind us of the interconnectedness of all beings. Yet, in the West, they’ve become trendy catchphrases, divorced from their spiritual significance.

The Two Extremes of Yoga in the West

In her article on yoga and cultural appropriation, Rina Deshpande highlights two problematic extremes:

Sterilisation: Removing references to yoga’s roots to make Western practitioners “comfortable.”
Exotification: Commercialising and exoticising yoga and Indian culture, like leggings adorned with Hindu deities or Om tattoos.

Both extremes are harmful. The first erases the Indian and South Asian roots of yoga, effectively recolonising a practice that was already targeted during British rule. Did you know that yoga and Ayurveda were banned in India under British colonisation? The very practices millions now turn to for wellness were intentionally eradicated, breaking lineages and erasing thousand-year-old traditions.

The second extreme turns yoga into a commodity, perpetuating a second wave of colonisation. Yoga, which means union or liberation, is about freeing ourselves from constructs like race, gender, and identity. But when it’s repackaged for profit, we stray further into maya—the illusion that distracts us from true understanding.

The Commercialisation of Yoga

My time in Rishikesh, often called the birthplace of yoga, was eye-opening. While I appreciated the exposure to more traditional, meditative practices—no pop fitness music or Lululemon outfits—I was disheartened by the commercialisation. With literally hundreds of yoga schools, Rishikesh felt a bit like a glorified sausage machine, with some using people’s need to search for spirituality for economic gain and churning out teachers with little depth or understanding of yoga’s philosophy.

Back in Cape Town, I visited some of my old favourite studios and a few trendy new ones. The experience left me feeling rushed, out of place and overwhelmed. I realised how high the barrier of entry had been made to this practice. These classes offered very little to those not already very comfortable in this specific style of practice. Classes were rushed, with little focus on breath or alignment, and bore almost no resemblance to the traditional practices I’d experienced in India. While I love a flowy, steamy vinyasa class as much as the next self-proclaimed introspective, woo-woo white girl, something felt off. The essence of yoga—its meditative, introspective core—was missing.

Yoga’s True Essence

Yoga’s mainstream adoption is undoubtedly positive. Its Indian forefathers travelled the world to share its message, and I’m sure they would have encouraged foreigners to take what they learned back to their communities. But the true essence of yoga as a spiritual practice of self-inquiry has been distorted in the West, repackaged into superficial “love and light” slogans.

Although we find ourselves caught between two sticky situations, I believe awareness and respect are our only way forward. If we’re in the business of yoga—whether as teachers, studio owners, or retreat organisers—we must ensure sharing it with integrity. This means:

Educating ourselves about yoga’s history and philosophy.
Acknowledging its roots and honouring its cultural context.
Teaching with depth, not just focusing on physical postures but also exploring the eight limbs of yoga.

How We Honour Yoga’s Roots at Namaskar

At Namaskar, we strive to create a space where yoga is both accessible and deeply rooted in its traditions. Our retreats are designed to honour the practice’s origins while celebrating the unique beauty of Africa’s landscapes and cultures. Here’s how we do it:

Authentic Teaching: Our classes incorporate the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of yoga, not just the physical postures.
Cultural Respect: We acknowledge yoga’s Indian roots and strive to share it with respect and gratitude.
Connection to Nature: Practicing yoga in the African wilderness reminds us of our interconnectedness with all living beings.

A Call to Reflection

As you step onto your mat, take a moment to reflect: How can I honour the roots of this practice? How can I ensure that my yoga journey is one of respect and gratitude? By asking these questions, we not only deepen our own practice but also contribute to a more inclusive and respectful global yoga community.

At Namaskar, we invite you to explore yoga in a way that honours its rich heritage while embracing Africa’s natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga, our retreats offer a space to connect with yourself, with nature, and with the ancient wisdom of this sacred practice.