Uh-oh! American yogis have done it again. You may have heard the recent news about the "Take Back Yoga campaign" - the goal being to remind us all of the debt that yoga owes to Hinduism (for those who were unaware). And more recently the Indian government's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library is preparing to go online, preventing people around the world from copyrighting yogic asanas and herbal knowledge. Now two well-known yoga teachers are being accused of yogic impropriety during the International Yoga Festival in India, and an Indian yoga guru is asking the Indian government to step up and regulate the entire discipline of yoga.
During the International Yoga Festival at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India, renowned Kundalini yoga teacher Gurmukh struck a nerve when she closed a yoga class with the chanting of "Alleluia." And Shiva Rea caused a walkout, offending people with her apparently low cut pants and the "freeform" movement she incorporated as part of her Trance Dance practice.
Yogi Ram, one of the yoga gurus who was offended by Gurmukh and Shiva Rea, said, "Wearing skimpy clothes, glamorizing or doing unusual things definitely affects the dignity of Yoga. The government needs to step in and retain the essence and authenticity of the traditional Indian art." Now to be fair, I wasn't there so I don't know what Shiva Rea was wearing. But has Yogi Ram seen what Bikram passes off as "yoga wear" recently? Talk about scandalous! And when he says “unusual things,” is he talking about chanting "alleluia?" It just means "praise the Lord" - kind of like "haribol" if you think about it. I'm not sure how that affects the dignity of yoga, but I am sure Gurmukh meant no disrespect or offense to anyone by using the word “alleluia.”
Rishikesh is a popular destination for traveling yogis from around the world, including Spirit Voyage's own Ramdesh Kaur. And Parmarth Niketan Ashram is the site of the 11.11.11 Kundalini Yoga Festival. For seven days, concluding on 11.11.11, Gurmukh, Guru Dev, Guru Singh, and Snatam Kaur will all be teaching and sharing their light at this event. The organizers have a section on the event website devoted to staying in an ashram, including what types of clothing are most respectful and appropriate for the men and women attending the event. Hopefully that will at least prevent the same wardrobe complaints lodged against Shiva Rea!
While I can certainly sympathize with the fact that clothing and word choices can cause discomfort, asking the government to regulate yoga seems a bit far-fetched. I wouldn't want Congress regulating yoga in America, as I assume most Congress people don't practice yoga. So why would the government of India be different? I’m not sure what Yogi Ram and others hope to accomplish in this campaign, assuming the government of India chooses not to get involved. Yoga has come to America; it has planted roots, seeped into our culture, and found new ways of expressing itself. So at an international yoga festival, American teachers are bound to share what they are doing. As long as they are doing it respectfully, and as long as no one is being forced to participate, I see no harm.
Oh my Bikram!
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Great article, Liz – and great (if somewhat creepy!) pic of the >ahem!< "traditional" yoga wear of Bikram
This is ridiculous. Yoga is for everyone. Excluding people because of how they choose to dress or practice or how the asana may evolve is the antithesis of what yoga is about. YOGA MEANS UNION NOT EXCLUSION!
It strikes me as either a cynical political ploy, or a simple communications error with serious ramifications. I hope it’s the latter, and that either the diversity of forms and approaches was not clearly articulated to attendees, or some attendees didn’t absorb the information.
Either way, I do hope there can be goodwill and listening.
it sounds like yogi ram is stuck in his ways which is ok. to each his/her own but he should have his own yoga fests for more conservative types instead of trying to control people. you’d think he’d learn something from doing all that yoga. “its not the yoga that you do its the courage that you bring to your yoga that will change your life” -gurmukh
Something is fishy here.
Well, as I understand there are traces of Yoga in ancient Egypt and even from the Vikings (not Minnesota, except Brett). Read “Awakening the Spine” by Vanda Scaravelli.
Let’s lock up all of our information so no-one can pollute it, they say.
I think there is just as much knowledge available through other spiritual practices – truth is truth – all is one and we are from the same source. And just as good of master teachers here in the USA which serve our culture more appropriately.
What if we closed our doors to our Universities and stopped educating all of their people or took back all of the outsourced telemarketing and computer programming jobs.
Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face!
Oh yeah – I’m not being spiritually correct, am I?
Ha, I was there at that class Shiva Rea taught… no she did not wear skimpy clothes, she was definitely wearing long pants, not sure about the shirt but at least a t-shirt. reason people left was cos she mistook the time class was supposed to go until 10.30 and she thought it was 10.55 but it was really 9.55am, she finished the class and then realized it was only 9.55 but people had already started leaving and she said something like “well, maybe we need time to ourselves, people are free to leave and if anyone wants to stay we can chant a bit”…
This all story is so funny about yoga festival , and this anger from these yoga people how they are defending them selves….they have to be in love and give more peace to world….
first of all Yogi Ram was not in yoga festival,he never meet shiva rea or gurumukh kaur ,i was so surprised when i read this all here. he was with us in those dates….and there is no need to know about these yoga teachers… for what …here we have great masters….
i am surprised and have laugh …..
may peace for all
Namaste all! I think this has gotten blown WAY out of proportion. The media in India (and everywhere for that matter, but laws of integrity in journalism tend to carry more weight in other countries) focus almost entirely on negative or controversial topics. There was no controversy at the festival at all that I was aware of, and I am one of the main organizers…. Yes, there are always “issues” between Indian traditionalists and the more modern interpretations by Western teachers as well as some of the traditional Kundalini yoga practices. However, the balance goes both ways. For everyone who says, “this isn’t yoga” in response to some of the Kundalini or Vinyasa types of practices, there are ten people who say, “this has transformed my life. It is the best practice I’ve ever experienced.” It is never difficult in India to find someone who will say something negative about ANYTHING, so if that’s what a particular reporter was looking for, he could find it easily. However, we got lots and lots of great, positive coverage – we were in 3-4 of the largest papers every single day of the festival. So, one or two controversial articles is probably par for the course. None of this played out at all at the Festival in any way.
Also, we do give very strict guidelines to our teachers and students about dress codes and we sincerely request everyone to follow them. From what I’ve seen, almost everyone does, and Shiva was fully dressed that day – in long pants and a long sleeve shirt.
I am a bit surprised by the article…very bizarre as it was not at all what was happening. I am still in Kerala studying Kalarippayatu and I have been bringing students here to connect with the roots of Indian culture for the last seven years. I am very respectfully dressed when I am in India as this was my 12th pilgrimage over the last 20 years. I was offering a namaskaram for Ma Ganga and instead of being on a big stage we faced Ma Ganga all together. One of the most beloved Mataji of the Parmath Niketan ashram was singing Ganga slokhas and mantras the whole time and we closed the whole practice by making offerings to Ma Ganga. I was wearing either crop pants with a skirt over the pants or long pants – honestly I don’t remember – but skimpy is ridiculous. There was a part of the namaskaram in which we were moving in a sahaja flowing motion with the mantras with the powerful flow of Ma Ganga . I remember a small handful of Indian students leaving within 15 minutes but I thought it was too cold or that they were very much beginners. I felt such blessings from Pujya Swami and all on Shivratri. I actually intentionally offered classes to honor the source of yoga. Quite bizarre…I think they were seeking publicity or coming with an agenda. It was a blessed Shivratri and Ma Ganga is alive in my heart.
This was my workshop description not as a “defense” but just a glance how limited the engagement of the press is at going deeper. I would have loved to be interviewed before being plastered as the “cover girl” of this article. I am a student and sadhaka like everyone else.
Ganga Namaskar – A Prana Flow Movement Offering with Live Music
In this energetic vinyasa sadhana on the banks of the Ganga , we will experience a prana flow namaskaram dedicated to Ma Ganga as the living flow of the Shakti and the healing power of the water element. Through mantra, mudra, healing asanas, and sahaja flow, we will explore movement as meditation as a way of embodying the flow of the sacred for realization and awakening.
Gurumukh is a extraordinary teacher and brings the mystic unity at the heart of all spiritual traditions to her offering of yoga.
Jai Ma Gange! Jai Ma Shakti! She is alive in us all!
@Dan -
That’s important information to have, especially when surfing for news coverage to see how it had been reported elsewhere essentially turned up two reports which were mashed in various combinations and clearly just cut and pasted into blogs and online news outlets. That sort of lack of variety of coverage always makes me wonder just how accurately an event’s being reported.
It may well be that the situation is not as assumed, given the lack of data.
I dont feel any thing wrong in this ….we was talking with some beautiful people from Australia they was sitting next to Ganga and sharing their thoughts ..they were asking that “we came here to see really true Indian Yogis here but this is all so disappointing to see , because this is available in our place …
then we all thought that it seems that God gave a big contract to some people to teach the world through this festival…many people are so crazy to teach their things to other people,
and we want to tell them that learn for your self first… dont worry about others..every Individual has his or her own mystery…..its big Ego thing …very subtle..
then next wht happen ..few westen good looking people came to us they start to talk on kundalini yoga and we told that yes we are on same path….but so ridicules thing they told “why you dont wear turban ” !!!!!!
we told why turban…they told its part of kundalini yoga….so funny we told that its from Sikh tradition from India….they start to Argue…so rigid ..we told that Kundalini yoga start from Shiva from thousands of years back….what to say to these people…
Om Shanti
Sat nam,
Thank you to Shiva and Bhagawati for setting the record clear! This information came to Spirit Voyage from the Telegraph, and we were reporting what we thought was “news”. As Sadvi Bhagawati points out, journalistic standards in India sometimes aren’t the best. It’s hard to know what the students who left were thinking, but having lived and taught at Parmarth myself (and seen both Gurmukh and Shiva Rea there) I am confident that both were respectfully dressed. I am sure Liz McCollum, the author, also felt it was an unreasonable charge and intended this article to call into question the opinions of the dissenting few rather than to endorse them.
This “issue” (or non-issue) was also reported on YogaDork, Google News, and a host of other yoga related sites so it certainly was not a case of Spirit Voyage creating news, but rather reporting on news. I appreciate everyone weighing in on this topic, and especially Shiva Rea and Sadhvi Bhagawati, whose respectful love for the India culture and the science of yoga, could never come in question.
Blessings to all.
As so often in life, it turns out that the first report wasn’t the clearest
@Ramdesh & @Liz, I certainly didn’t read it as Spirit Voyage creating the content, just reporting back on the news stories that were out at the time, which is perfectly reasonable.
Namaste from Rishikesh!
People get offended because they want their egos validated by their cultural associations but there’s no consensus on Yoga for the government to regulate. I’ve had world renowned Indian Masters disparage ALL hatha yoga to me as something people are doing to improve sex (not saying I agree but Indians certainly have little agreement regarding what are legitimate practices)
Indian spirituality is divine when it is practiced but it is also heavily exploited here as religion can be business anywhere in the world. Hinduism doesn’t really exist the way religions with single founders do. It’s a melting pot of all Indian practices that aren’t claimed by some definite sect. Temple worship, austerity, meditation, Hatha Yoga and self inquiry aren’t integrated with each other nor did they evolve as a whole (much like the new age movement which isn’t a singular ‘religion’ either)
India is changing and there are growing pains. Most marriages are arranged but half of all indian movies are about love marriages. Bare shoulders offend but the guys are delighted to see them.
Those who embrace Love embrace all who shine love. Those who invest in ego and offense will always have an axe to grind, let’s love them anyway.
Isn’t being a yogi about embracing and accepting variety, cultures, races, approaches, our fellow men, women and all living beings? I think it’s important to have respect within a tradition for its principles and integrity, but this feels a bit like – ‘my yoga is better than your yoga..’ How about we embrace each other for our uniqueness, as one unified form or tradition is not going to appeal to everyone. In this ‘human’ experience who are we to say what is right in terms of how we interpret our connection to the universe and our devotional behaviour. Let’s celebrate the differences, and the development of tradition as we grow in ourselves, by honouring those who honour the essence of the union.
Om
I saw some body wrote here again about “offended “….why these people are telling and creating big stories about this ..like some Baba here got chance to show his knowledge here,before giving this much lecture first check was this man was their or not?
and who asked from these people to explain about pains of Indians…it looks that they themselves are so unhappy and sad inside so they are expressing like this.
they are generalizing Indians in this way…..OOH
Om Shanti
Dear everybody
Namaste and Blessings from Ganges
here i saw now whats going on…without knowing people are posting their reactions.
i did not came here to justify myself and specially to those who dont have respect to others people,they start to blame without knowing truth.
Me i never met Gurumukh or Shiva Rea and i did not attend Yoga festival…atleast once these people can check from ashram that i was there or not then they can post or attack on me or Indians.
I born in Rishikesh ..very well i know what Dignity means….i dont know these people who gave me suggestions for yogic life.
some people here start to blame Indians for their problems ….i can just pray for them that they can even think good for everybody ..
i want to tell to respected people from Yogi Bhajan that i have many very good friends from Italy,
they are like my family . before giving your suggestions to me ask them about me-
stefania.floreani@gmail.com
i had meditation in the house of Gurudev singh in Rome ..beautiful place,in that room Yogi Bhajan him self had meditation…beautiful moment for me…!!!
but here at least people have to think about media….and they can react …
Regards
Namaste
My God what a big show in rishikesh i saw ,since long i am coming rishikesh..
to again i saw as usual many times it happen…workers of parmarth niketan ashram own by Swami Chida nanada muni ji..exploiting these people and students since long this man is completely busy with fame and money…and other side these poor employees ..
what this swami is telling and what he is donig ..
many time before they had demonstration against Swami Chidananda Muni…
Regards
Well it is clear that just because yoga originated in India not everybody has understood that it means “union”. The accusations are fear based and definitely not spiritual in essence so they obviously missed the point. But maybe someday this rigidity will soften up and they will realize that the West has helped yoga evolve in many positive ways. Many people have embraced yoga precisely because of the creative juice the West has given it. But the bottom line is, the world needs to heal and yoga is helping do that in any way possible. Jealousy, possession and competition is passée. Satnam.
Love your comment
Why not simply be honest and respectful? “Yoga” is a Sanskrit/Hindu word and means: “Yuj Atman Brahman ca” (“to yoke to the Atman (individual Soul) and Brahman (Soul Source”). The various Yogas (the prefix is important) are the progressive religious means by which Hindus achieve this Self/Soul-Realization: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. There are other aspects of Yoga within these classic Yogas such as Hatha Yoga (in truth, highly devotional), Mantra Yoga, Japa Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. In other words, real Yoga is not an exercise business nor a vague so-called “spirituality” (which, of course, does not mix with commercialism). The notion that Yoga is universal (and fits into anyone’s religion: why religion if it is not religion?) is actually a very fundamentalist type statement. True respect for the various religions, means just that.
Anyone is free to study Hinduism/Yoga. True to any religion, genuine teachers of any aspect of Yoga are qualified Hindus. If one is not a Hindu and has such great love of the various Hindu/Yogas, why not do the right thing; i.e., become a Hindu and then, maybe, teach. By not revealing the Hindu/Yoga connection, one is insulting not only Hindus but also the religion of the naive student. Unfortunately, the “yoga” of today has little to do with an honest and compassionate respect for Hindus and Hinduism/Yoga. Unfortunately, too, is the fact that complacent and/or dishonest Hindus are responsible for this and other invasions into the life of Hinduism/Yoga. Positive change is one thing; stealing is quite another.
Swami Param
Dharma Yoga Ashram (Classical Yoga Hindu Academy)
When I attend a Yoga class I know I go to stretch and to communicate with the divine. ~however~
I don’t want people looking down my pants or up my shirt so I dress respectfully. (After all I am a 42C cup) so I have to take extra precautions as to not fall out at all times.
Lately yoga clothing has turned almost pornographic. In that same respect I don’t want to see your pubes falling out in front of me in tiny little bathing suit shorts that were really once made just for the beaches in Brazil nor do I want to see your nipples from a shirt that is too tiny and small or see it when we all start sweating like you are in a wet t-shirt contest. THAT is not what Yoga is about.
Much respect and love go to Shiva and Gurmukh.
My husband watched Shiva Rea’s Yoga Shakti with me and called it borderline pornographic. I wanted to do the poses, not see the bootie tattoo or pubes when doing the stretches along with her.
Our people compare to Indians or asians …where we are honestly? ..Nowhere …we dont have a true identity …our people are completely confused ..how easy our people are blaming others.so arrogant. just latest in Australia what people did in name of fashion hindu goddess Lakshmi on underwears ..look how sick our people are.
and then i am reading reaction of our people on indians ..simply how easy our people are making things for sale…yoga for sale…in name of creativity how they are deforming arts..
and this all is because of EGO…to not be agree with wisdom but to say this I create this buy this in this much dollars …
I am quite late on putting in my 2 cents here…but that is because I am just beginning yoga. How very disappointing to see these comments. I assumed yoga would be practiced by those who are open-minded and accepting but now I see that it, and you, are just like everyone else…still in highschool. Devi Mahanbir Tashi Kaur, disclosing your cup size is just as revolting and childish as your reference to pubes. It’s a diminishing of all that is sacred and you are culprit numero uno. The best I can do is keep doing what is right and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing or not doing. I wish there was a place on earth where people practiced what they preached and didn’t act or speak like complete idiots.
P.S. I DID want to see Shiva Rea’s tattoo…that is exactly how I found this article!