My Complicated Relationship With Yoga As An Indian-American Millennial

I feel guilty that despite the fact that my mom tried to drill the importance of breathing exercises into my brain at a young age, as well as meditation and sun salutations, I refused to listen. I feel guilt for not giving yoga the attention it deserved before it became commercialized and Westernized.

Uncovering the deeper meaning of yoga took time and a lot of introspection. One moment I'm obsessing over a new pair of leggings, but within a split second, I’m paying close attention to how my yoga teacher melodically sings "Om," a very different kind of "Om" from the unassuming chant of pundits at the temple.

Though I may have been too young to hold much persuasion around yoga as it entered its phase of popularity in the West, I believe it still isn’t too late to speak up about the bigger implications of this practice. For example, oftentimes I hear students complain about yoga classes that were not challenging or sweaty enough, and in these moments I want to politely remind them that yoga is much more than a workout—it’s a lifestyle. "Do you know what is more challenging than 50 chaturangas in 90-degree heat?" I want exclaim. "It's about understanding the true spiritual and mental aspects of yoga. Learning how to be fully present. Developing the discipline to perform sun salutations as the sun actually rises."

Part of me feels like I hold such a strong stance with yoga because I still need to find a way to address my own guilt about neglecting the practice just a few years ago. I feel a responsibility in sharing the practical applications behind some of the teachings of yoga as well. For example, many people probably don't know that namaste not only means "I bow to you" but is also a simple way to say "hello" in India. It also may be surprising that doctors in India prescribe yoga for ailments (my favorite one has to be malasana, garland pose, for constipation. Try it, it works!).

The scriptures, the asanas, and the chants are deeply embedded in our culture, and I wish we would uncover the layers a bit more in class. It seems like this in-depth knowledge is reserved for teachers, but I believe students can get so much out of putting yoga into cultural context.