Why Americans Are So Obsessed With Yoga

Practice summary

Level

all levels

Video length

10:08

Equipment

none

Energy

balancing

Target areas

mindcultural awarenesscritical understanding

In this practice

Key teachings

• Historical evolution of yoga in the US
• Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in modern yoga
• The role of capitalism in yoga's widespread adoption

Ideal for

• Yoga practitioners interested in history and ethics
• Students of cultural studies and sociology
• Anyone questioning the commercialization of wellness trends
• Individuals seeking a deeper understanding of yoga's global impact

Lesson

Instructions

Yoga is a full body and mind exercise that is everywhere in American pop and health cultures. But how did yoga – a South Asian tradition dating back thousands of years – end up being such an inseparable part of staying healthy in the United States?

Sana Saeed breaks down the history of yoga in the U.S. and asks if doing yoga is cultural appropriation, appreciation ... or late-stage capitalism?

CJR. “Fear of Yoga.”

Religion Dispatches. “Claiming Yoga for India.”

Decolonizing Yoga. “How to Decolonize Your Yoga Practice.”

Presented/Produced by: Sana Saeed Produced by: Sana Saeed and Kathryn Wheeler Edited by: Michael Zipkin and Brian Joseph Animations by: Chia Liu and Joe Corea Executive Producer: Sarah Nasr Music tracks courtesy of APM. Footage and images courtesy of Getty Images, Creative Commons, Jason Tongen and Pond Ripple Media.

Benefits

• Increased understanding of yoga's complex origins and journey to the West
• Enhanced awareness of cultural sensitivity in wellness practices
• Stimulates critical thinking about commercialization and authenticity
• Provides an informed perspective on personal yoga practice