The colonization of all things yoga
Usha (a returning MMW guest contributor!)
The practice of yoga in the West is nothing new. Recent ‘twists’ on Western yoga have involved spiritual ‘bending.’ Christian yoga incorporates “son” salutations, as in Jesus Christ, the Son. And a Kosher yoga instructor has developed a series of postures based on the Hebrew alphabet.
Driving home from work I heard this story on NPR. Seems that David Newman, errrrr that’d be Durga Das on stage, has released a new CD of Kirtan music American-style entitled, Lotus Feet: A Kirtan Revolution.
Kirtan is a style of Indian devotional music that is thousands of years old and traditionally is set to dance. It is also set to some forms of yoga and has been popularized this way in the West.
According to the report, David Newman sees his approach to Kirtan music as a “revolution.” I waited impatiently for the interviewer to point out the arrogance of a white man lifting ancient Indian music and calling it a revolution. It didn’t happen.
Revolution? Revolution? Durga Das isn’t even revolutionary in being the only white man doing kirtan. Others include: Jeff Kagael (aka Krishna Das), Larry Cobb (aka Shubalananda), Michael Riggs (aka Bhagavan Das), Doug Uttal aka (Jai Uttal) and Dave Stringer (his real name!). Is there a difference between a revolution and appropriation?
(Note from CVK: For more on cultural appropriation, check out this excellent rant/post from Reappropriate: I’m Mad As Hell And I’m Not Going to Take It Anymore)
Sewere wrote:
This is why I feel so goddamn uncomfortable whenever yoga instructors slaughter the hindi pronunciation of the yoga poses. The worst part is wthe end of the class when everyone, looking ever so serene, chant “Namaster” three times like it’s a catechism….
But then again a friend who is Indian says he appreciates folks tyring to honor the hindi origin of yoga. I don’t know where appreciation stops and fetishization and appropriation begins…
Posted 28 Jun 2006 at 10:10 am ¶
Marsha wrote:
Well, I think part of the fetishism starts when you start seeing yoga shirts screened with Ganesa and people think they understand Hinduism from learning a few yoga poses. I think the main difference between appropriation and appreciation is respect. In the same way some white people think they are “down” with the black folk, I think some people who practice yoga think they are “down” with Hinduism because of yoga. I think you can draw a parallel with Hinduism and Native American religion. Vine Deloria, in his book “God is Red”, talks about how he is disgusted by the way white people perceive Native American Religion as equivalent to some cool crystal waving cult.
Posted 28 Jun 2006 at 1:20 pm ¶