The Shadow Side of Yoga in the West: Social Class, the Price of Yoga Pants, and Valuing Yoga Teachers

By: Dr. Denise Renye

Yoga, the sacred system that is union of body and mind spans philosophy and physical practice. It creates the potential for us to reach greater states of consciousness while embodied in this human form. I found myself on the mat for the first time at age 12. And during my long and arduous road to becoming a psychologist, I studied yogic philosophy and Indian psychology. I studied in India at the ashram of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. I learned, even more deeply, how profound a system yoga truly is. I deepen my studies as a member of the Cultural Integration Fellowship, a non-profit organization and ashram based in San Francisco run by the direct family members of Dr. Haridas Chaduri, a student of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother themselves. He also founded the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I received my doctorate in psychology.  

Given all this, it pains me to see in some ways the heart and spirit of yoga have been lost in the West through the commercialization of this ancient practice in the modern world. What I mean by that is for instance there are the “right” yoga pants to wear, (which can cost more than $100 depending on where you buy them) and the “right” yoga mat.  Keep in mind people have been practicing yoga for thousands of years with simple clothing so the idea you have to buy special clothes (and products) to practice yoga is capitalistic gimmick. Arguably, this is the antithesis of the foundations of yoga.

Historically, yoga was not practiced with a mat as it was more focused on pranayama (breathwork) and dhyāna (meditation). It wasn’t until the asanas (physical practices) were being more developed that the mat was created. And when the West began to create mats, they were better for grip but less kind for the planet due to the materials used. For more information on this, check out this video on the history of yoga mats.

With the price of classes, teacher trainings, clothing, and products, yoga in modern day has become something for those with more resources, even though the philosophy and teachings were made for all. This is a classic problem in the West as the cost of living generally is much higher. Historically, teachers in the East were revered and taken care of by the community. Similarly to how elders, shamans and medicine folx have been provided for in various cultures, especially in terms of housing, food costs, and end-of-life care.  Juxtaposed against ancient ways of collectivistic societies, the demands of modern levels of trainings and education, along with costs of living, it’s no wonder it’s challenging to support oneself on a teaching income. Class and yoga are not something that are talked about, yet they are very much in the shadow of the Western yoga world.

Another way the essence of the practice, the heart and spirit, are being lost is through yoga’s “glamorization.” Instagram is littered with people posing in front of gorgeous backgrounds doing poses that require flexibility or a show of strength. Yoga has become synonymous with “limber,” when in fact even the most inflexible person can practice. The portrayal of yoga on social media has increased shame in some would-be students, feeling like they need to be flexible to even step into a class or onto the mat. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ meaning “to yoke” or “unite,” it is basically a description of union of the body, mind, and spirit (the whole person). In the grand scheme, it has little to do with whether you can touch your toes or not. It is not a competition. However, it begins to feel that way when the inevitable infiltration of the patriarchy sneaks in. And while yoga pants cost an arm and a leg (or many arms), yoga teachers themselves are not valued nearly as much. Quite often people expect yoga teachers to provide their services for either very low cost or free.

Yoga teachers are trained professionals who spend thousands of hours and dollars becoming certified, yet unlike other professionals, it’s challenging for them to recoup their costs because the culture, studios, other teachers, and students alike devalue their services. The system is broken. Teachers are told to offer yoga for free or very cheaply because yoga teachers are to be of service and that typically is mutually exclusive to also creating an income that supports surviving and even thriving. There is a parallel that occurs in the fields of psychology, social work and nursing in that for years there are not only unpaid internships, but also tuition payments during these unpaid internships. And while I understand that services such as yogic philosophy and asana, as well as psychotherapy and medical services should one hundred percent be accessible to all, it is a class issue as to whether the teacher or therapist would be able to offer that.  Teachers are told “it will be a great networking or self-promotion opportunity.” Will it though? And does networking and self-promotion take precedence when the rent is due? Yoga teachers also need to make a living and unfortunately most are unable to do so solely teaching yoga.

I think the pandemic has especially highlighted this painful point because what with the increased demand – people need yoga more than ever – folx want to take yoga classes for free. And because yoga teachers are often openhearted people, they’re willing to give away their services. But in the process, it’s the yoga teacher who suffers.  It creates a scarcity wherein either the yoga teacher is sustained or the students are sustained. There needs to be a systemic consideration as to how everyone can be sustained, financially, emotionally, and spiritually

I don’t think people take into account or realize that yoga teachers spend hours formulating their class plans. The sequencing, the number of rounds for each pose, the music, all of it takes advance planning. Yoga teachers are devoting hours of their time because they want to help people, which is great, but that doesn’t put food on the table. Ultimately, yoga is a practice that can transcend this earthly reality and yet needs are still very real in an embodied way. Many professionals offer pro bono work and I think the same could be true of yoga teachers. Some classes could be free, but the cup of the teacher or therapist needs to be at least half full before that is feasible. Otherwise it’s all too easy to get burnt out, stop teaching, and stop being of service to the community and planet in that way.

Doing the practice is more important than having the “right” mat or the “right” clothes. Yoga is a beautiful, expansive practice of the body and the mind and the union of the two. Find a free class online. When the global pandemic allows, go to a class in person. Have a private class with a teacher. Find your way into the office (virtual or in-person) with a yoga therapist. Practice on your own from your memory from that class you took five years ago. Whatever way you wish to practice is more than fine. The key here is to have a practice, be embodied, and to reunite that beautiful body and beautiful mind of yours.

 For ideas and ways to stay connected to and learn more about the unconscious through the body, feel free to stay connected.