Yoga is often misunderstood as a religious practice, but in truth, it is a non-religious, universal system designed to help individuals connect with themselves through breath, movement, awareness, and discipline. It is the pursuit of connecting all aspects of oneself together to create a space of peace and harmony within oneself. While yoga has deep roots in ancient Indian culture, it was not originally tied to any religion or deity worship. Its purpose was to create union between body, mind, and heart: inner awareness, not to serve a religious framework. Yoga is, however, misunderstood as being “demonic” or “worshiping deities” which couldn’t be further from the truth. The core of it is that Yoga precedes all of that; but along the way religions and cultures dipped their belief systems into Yoga and just like the telephone game the original point was lost. But let’s talk about how that came to be, and what has truly happened to yoga. Modernized “yoga” has given authentic yoga a bad name, and it’s time we talk about it. I will express what yoga truly is, where it originated and what has happened to it.
YOGA AND CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
Cultural appropriation of yoga has occurred due to its practices being taken out of context, commercialized, and used without respecting the Indian authentic roots. This includes using sacred symbols or terms without understanding their meaning, or presenting yoga as just exercise while ignoring its philosophical and cultural background. Respectful practice means honoring yoga’s origins, language, and values while making it authentically accessible. It also means respecting the source, and the teachers who genuinely aim to share the truth of what yoga truly is. Authentic Yoga is a very rare thing these days, you will see it constantly ads on social media: become a yoga teacher today: 200hr certification just click here! In just 3 weeks for $100 you can teach yoga!… Not only is this commercialization of yoga, it is just a slew of cheap certifications that degrade what yoga truly is. This has greatly contributed to the problem. But it isn’t just the west to blame.
Some people brought yoga to the west with intentions of sharing its authenticity, but some did not… an example this is Bikram Choudhury. He commercialized yoga (Hot Yoga) in a way that distorted its purpose, focusing on profit, control, and personal fame rather than its true roots of self-awareness and humility. His behavior and branding contributed to a toxic culture around yoga that ignored its deeper meaning. Cultural appropriation can be done by any ethnicity (including those of the culture’s descent) when yoga is misused, misrepresented, or stripped of its cultural and spiritual depth for personal or commercial gain. This is why we must seek to understand someone’s character above everything else; character is the key. Unfortunately, yoga became a hot trend… and continues to be distorted with that mindset.
I have a little story. There was this very famous “spiritual” person who would have tea when they would teach their classes. There was a little tea-bag tag that would hang over the ceramic mug as they would drink it slowly during class. It was discovered this individual would not be drinking tea, but drinking alcohol. They would cut a tea-bag tag off the tea-bag and tape it on the inside of the mug, which would then appear like tea to an outsider; but it would not be tea. This type of deception is the epitome of cultural appropriation and manipulation to pretend that someone was authentic… when they were not.
WHAT IS YOGA?
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means to yoke, join, or unite. It refers to the union of one’s physical self with inner consciousness and harmony, not with any deity or spiritual belief system. Early forms of yoga were practical and experiential, aimed at achieving balance, stillness, focus, and mental clarity. The only “spiritual” aspect would be the feeling of love which would come from the space of a very simple “heart chakra” type space.
Yoga predates organized religion as we know it today. The earliest references to yogic ideas are found in the Vedas, ancient texts from India that date back over 5,000 years. However, these texts were not religious doctrines in the modern sense. Instead, they contained hymns, observations of nature, and philosophical ideas about life and the universe. Yoga evolved through the Upanishads, which focused more deeply on self-inquiry and consciousness. Still, the practice remained spiritual in nature, not religious, and involved no prayer, ritual, or worship.
DEITIES
There are no deities involved in authentic yoga. The deities often associated with the asanas actually came into the picture much later. For example: Tree pose (Vṛkṣāsana) being associated with Vishnu (translates into Vrksa “tree” and asana “pose) was not part of Vishnu at all until Hinduism got involved later. It was simply a pose based on a tree. That’s it. Now, something like Sun Salutations (Sūrya Namaskāra) associated with God Surya came later on in yoga, as Surya does translate simply into Sun; so again how it’s interpreted is important. This is not to say if you’re Hindu I am taking away the definitions you know; it is to say that authentic yoga is meant to encompass the connection with nature, earth, and one’s self; outside of religious deities. Nothing wrong with deities, but the core of Yoga is not about them. Simply put, Hinduism and Buddhism included their beliefs and teachings into Yoga; which changed Yoga over time. Technically there are many types of Yoga due to this error, instead of sticking to the authentic definition… everyone came up with their own definition. Some authentic yoga experts having to do it because the term Yoga was misinterpreted for so long.
In essence, YOGA is simply connection with oneself through:
1. Asanas (alignment based postures for bodily connection)
2. Meditation (deep self-reflection and inner-awareness for growth)
3. Lifestyle (methods for holistic life and wellness)
4. Philosophy (wisdom applied in daily life with constant introspection)
Yoga itself is just the name for a combination of these listed categories that expand like limbs of a tree; out into thousands of nuances that only someone who has a deep understanding of yoga would be able to share. All life is yoga, but very few actually know what that means.
ROOT OF SANSKRIT
Sanskrit is one of the world’s oldest known languages. It originated in ancient India, with its earliest form called Vedic Sanskrit, found in the Rigveda, a collection of hymns written over 3,000 years ago (around 1500 BCE or earlier).
Sanskrit evolved as a spoken and written language used by scholars, poets, and philosophers. It became the language of classical Indian texts in fields like yoga, science, medicine, art, and spiritual teachings. It is not tied to a single religion but was used across many spiritual and philosophical traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Today, it is considered a classical language, much like Latin or Ancient Greek.
Sanskrit originates from the ancient Proto-Indo-Iranian language, which itself evolved from the even older Proto-Indo-European language. This means Sanskrit is historically connected to the early speakers of Indo-Iranian (also known as Aryan languages) and is part of the Indo-European language family, which includes hundreds of related languages spoken across many regions.
The Indo-Iranian branch is one of the oldest and most important parts of this family. It includes two main groups: Indo-Aryan languages (like Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali) and Iranian languages (like Persian, Kurdish, Pashto).
These languages came from a shared ancient language called Proto-Indo-Iranian, which is thought to have been spoken around 2000–1500 BCE by people living in the steppe regions of Central Asia (possibly near modern-day Kazakhstan or southern Russia).
The term “Aryan” originally comes from the Sanskrit word “ārya”, meaning noble or honorable. It was used in ancient Indian and Iranian texts to describe cultured or respected people, not a race. Both early Vedic texts (India) and Zoroastrian texts (Iran) use forms of the word “ārya.” This shows a shared cultural and linguistic history between the two regions.
The term “Aryan” by the way was misused in the 19th and 20th centuries in the West to promote racial theories, especially in Nazi ideology. This is a distortion of the original meaning, which was never about race or skin color. Similarly, the word “swastika” and the symbol itself were misused and distorted. Originally a sacred Hindu symbol representing auspiciousness and well-being, it was appropriated and slightly altered by the Nazi regime for their own agenda. However, the Nazi party did not call it a swastika they referred to it as the “Hakenkreuz”, meaning “hooked cross” in German.
MANTRAS AND “AUM”
But what about mantras? Or saying “OM” in the beginning of classes? Are these not “chants” and seem a bit odd? Well, no. The sound “Om” (also spelled Aum) and mantras are often misunderstood as religious, but at their core, they are not religious practices. They are vibrational tools used to calm the mind, center the body, and connect with deeper states of awareness. Their use is universal, and they do not require any belief in a god or religious system.
Om (Aum) is not a word with a direct translation but a sacred sound or vibration in Sanskrit. It’s said to represent the essence of the universe and the three states of consciousness:
A (waking state)
U (dreaming state)
M (deep sleep or stillness)
So while Om doesn’t have a literal English translation, it symbolizes all of existence and consciousness. It is more of a universal sound than a word with one fixed meaning.
Mantra in Sanskrit: Comes from “manas” (mind) and “tra” (tool or instrument) in sanskrit. So mantra means “a tool for the mind.” Mantras are not meant to be translations, but vibrational phrases that influence your energy, breath, and focus. They can be ancient sounds (like So Hum) or modern affirmations (like I am calm).
WHAT IS NAMASTE?
Namaste is a respectful greeting from Indian origins that means “I bow to you.” It is often used to honor the light, spirit, or goodness within another person. In yoga and wellness spaces, it is a way to say, “The light in me sees and honors the light in you.” It is not religious, but rather a gesture of mutual respect and connection.
In Sanskrit, namaste is made of two parts:
> namas (नमस्) – meaning “bow,” “obeisance,” or “salutation”
> te (ते) – meaning “to you”
So, the exact translation of namaste is: “I bow to you” or “salutations to you.”
It is a respectful and humble greeting, often used with hands pressed together at the heart center. The hands are placed together in prayer for namaste as a sign of respect and unity. It brings the right and left sides of the body and mind together, showing balance and connection. This gesture, called Anjali Mudra, helps express humility and honors the light in both yourself and the other person. Namaste should not have the fingers separated, but rather together to contain the energy of the Namaste. Also, something that has been changed in modernized “yoga”.
WHAT IS ASANA?
Asana means a yoga pose or posture. In Sanskrit, it simply means “seat”, originally referring to a comfortable seated position for meditation. Today, it refers to any physical position used in yoga practice. But originally, it was meant to mean a posture that brings more meditation energy into the body.
Sanskrit: आसन (āsana):
> आ (ā) – a prefix meaning “toward” or “to sit”
> सन (sana) – from the root “ās” (आस्) which means “to sit”
Literal meaning: “Seat” or “sitting posture”
The physical poses, or asanas, that many people associate with yoga today came much later. These poses were developed to prepare the body for stillness and meditation. The asanas are not religious symbols. In fact, many of them are named after animals, natural elements, or objects such as Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Tree Pose (Vrikshasana), and so on. These names reflect nature’s wisdom and the human body’s connection to it, not any divine or sacred figures. The asanas were created to bring more of the energy of self into the body by using movements that support the healing. These movements (when done authentically) support the lymphatics, protect muscles and bones, and encourage alignment unlike traditional stretching. It is more than exercise or stretching the body,
While yoga was practiced across ancient India, Hinduism as a formal religion emerged after these early yogic traditions. Over time, different cultural and spiritual systems, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism adopted and integrated yogic elements into their practices, often adding their own symbols or rituals. For example, in the asanas, Hanumanasana (the splits pose) was inspired by the Hindu deity Hanuman, known for his powerful leap in the Ramayana. While yoga was originally non-religious, names like this were later added as cultural references, not as worship. Simply, the core of yoga remained non-religious and open to anyone, regardless of belief. There is no intention in Yoga (or the asanas) to convince anyone of anything other than deep self-reflection and appreciation of ones own body.
Sanskrit, the language often used in yoga classes today, is an ancient Indian language, it is not a religious one. Using Sanskrit names for poses honors the origins of the practice and helps preserve the tradition, much like Latin is used in classical music or science. It is not a form of religious expression. Sanskrit is an ancient language from India, developed over 3,500 years ago. It was used for poetry, science, philosophy, and texts. It is not a religious language but was spoken by scholars and used in many early yoga teachings, which is why we still use Sanskrit names for poses today.
WHAT IS A YOGI?
A yogi is a person who practices yoga as a way of life. A yogi seeks balance, peace, and connection within, using tools like breath, movement, and inner reflection. It’s not about titles or religion, but about living with awareness and heart.
Unfortunately, the term has been massively misunderstood. It is used by practically everyone who has taken a certification course or just deems themselves worthy of the most sacred of terms.
WHAT IS A GURU?
A guru is someone who guides others from darkness to light. In Sanskrit, “gu” means darkness and “ru” means remover. So, a guru is not just a teacher, but someone who helps you grow in truth and awareness, not someone to be worshipped, but respected for their wisdom and guidance.
Both of these terms (yogi and guru) are very sacred, not to be used frivolously as they have been. Even my father, who has been practicing the asanas and studied the origins of Yoga since he was 7 years old, for over 50 years with BKS Iyengar directly himself (Aadil Palkhivala), would not refer to himself as a yogi or a guru because that is a sacred term that is to be only used for those who have dedicated their life entirely to self-growth in absolute purity.
These sacred words are earned, a complete humility, like that of enlightenment not given out like a degree. It is a title like that of one who has truly shown ones ultimate selflessness, it is not something to put in ones bio or make their social media username. It is chosen as a term wrongly constantly, not only to those in the west but the “gurus” we know from around the world. Most of which are not even close to being admired in such a way. The ego in the “yoga” industry is remarkable, as I have seen first hand, and that is why we HAVE to know what yoga truly is and what all these definitions mean.
With that being said…
Today, yoga is practiced by millions of people across the world, people of every culture, faith, and background, because it offers universal tools for health, clarity, and self-awareness. Yoga asks us to be be present, to breathe, to move, and to listen inwardly. But, it does not condone falsehood as its very definition is truth in all aspects of oneself and existence.
Yoga has been tainted, some may deem it “demonic” or a “religion”; others might assume they have achieved the status of “yogi” without knowing what it even means. It has been watered down and spread so thin that people have forgotten its origins and disrespected the source. Yoga is not about belief, worship, or doctrine. It is about experience, awareness, and inner growth. Whether you are spiritual, secular, or simply seeking peace, yoga welcomes you exactly as you are. This is why authentic yoga (very rare) can be practiced by all religions, or lack thereof, and is a space of just simple self-awareness. Yoga is not a trend to be used to seem “spiritual” or “mindful”, it is not the “yogi_username”, or the “I love doing yoga” (you cannot do union, you can live it but most don’t). Yoga is simply union, it is simply ultimate connection to oneself in the purest form. Yoga is not a fad, it is authentic self-growth; yoga is a constant, not a status.
Zenia is a multifaceted artist, musician, singer, actress, and tech advisor, dedicated to inspiring transformation through authentic expression. A natural wellness advocate and activist, she supports movements, foundations, and individuals committed to meaningful change. Zenia empowers people to live from the heart, harnessing the power of music, art, lifestyle shifts, and conscious awareness. Rooted in a family legacy of yoga, meditation, holistic health, education, and law, she carries forward a tradition of healing and knowledge, blending artistry with advocacy to make a lasting impact on the world.
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