oga has been a big part of Nadia Gilani’s life since she was introduced to the practice by her mother at the age of 16. A few years ago, after various personal struggles, she became a full-time yoga teacher.
“The lack of people of colour in the industry is a massive problem,” Gilani said. “There is a big issue with diversity, in terms of both teachers and those who practice it. What especially annoys me is when Sanskrit words like ‘namaste’ get emblazoned on T-shirts, images of Hindu gods are turned into tattoos, or ‘om’ symbols are printed on yoga mats. It’s cultural appropriation and it’s offensive.
I would say the issue is that it has been capitalised and profitised, rather than colonised. I feel uncomfortable with how it’s been turned into a very superficial fitness thing, but there are some really good centres that honour a direct lineage to Indian teachers. Rare though
No it doesn't.
🤪