![]() ![]() If there is an industry that desperately needs to face some harsh realities about its practices and inclusion or lack thereof, it’s the Wellness Industry – and Yoga in particular. If they could make diversity and inclusion more than a statement on their website and instead become a fundamental part of their ethos, we have made progress. As an Indian yoga teacher, I was quietly hopeful that this wasn’t just a performative exercise and that these spaces would really do their part to make a change. These establishments seemed to be taking positive steps to change their predominantly white-washed image and genuinely make a change. In London, we saw yoga studios and wellness spaces post black squares to their Instagram alongside pledges to do, and more importantly be better. The fact that we haven’t been considered to be included before this time is beggar’s belief. In its essence it is incredibly difficult to separate yoga from its roots, and quite frankly, I don’t see why you would want to.īack in May of last year, when Black Lives Matter Protests took place around the world, the Wellness Industry joined in, we saw the world stand in solidarity with the hashtag #blacklivesmatter and promises to review and revise their practices to ensure inclusion for ‘people of colour’. Regardless of what studio you choose to practice in, it is more likely than not that your teacher will include some sort of meditation during the beginning or ending of a class, cultivating calm. Yoga has a distinct focus on breathwork (pranayama) and inner workings of the mind. However, the benefits of yoga reach far deeper than that. Today in the western world, yoga has become incredibly mainstream and is often viewed through the lens of the physical practice asana. HOW YOGA’S ROOTS MANIFEST IN PRACTICES TODAY Yoga consists of 8 limbs, the physical practice which you see in studios is just one of those 8 components. It focuses entirely on yoga, but you won’t find handstands or downward dogs in these scriptures. ![]() This sacred ancient scripture is an epic poem that takes place on a battlefield which is believed to be a metaphor for a battlefield of the mind. To gain a deeper understanding of the history of Yoga, The Bhagvad Gita (basically the Hindu Bible) is there to help. This ‘union’ is essentially a union with the universe: our lower egos with our higher selves a union of breath and body of mind, body and soul. The word Yoga itself means ‘to yoke’, which means to create union. ![]() Yoga’s roots lie in ancient India, the word Yoga, which has become so popular in our vernacular, is a Sanskrit word that first appeared in the Vedas these are sacred ancient texts of Hinduism. I can only imagine how newer teachers must feel. Since becoming a yoga teacher nearly 5 years ago, it plays on my mind that there have been many situations in Wellness spaces where I’ve felt intimidated and unwelcome, and that’s with me being confident in my yoga practice and as a teacher. If you type yoga into Instagram, you’ll see awe-inspiring photos of men and women in postures that some may find impossible to attain. In the western world, yoga is mainly associated with middle class, white, thin, able-bodied women. Unfortunately, this isn’t what I’ve come to know of the industry as a yoga teacher born in England, with Indian origin. Chances are, when you think of yoga compassion, acceptance, inclusivity and honour are some of the words that you would associate it with. Yoga contributes to around $84billion into this space and is a huge component of this industry. The Wellness Industry is globally worth approximately $4.5 trillion. ![]()
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