The document discusses the westernization of yoga, including its origins as a spiritual practice from Hinduism using ascetic techniques to achieve liberation from ignorance. It notes how yoga was adapted in the West to focus on physical health rather than spiritual enlightenment, removing its religious associations, and became popular through organizations that promoted its practice and aesthetics to a broad audience.

1. The Westernization of Yoga
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By: Emerald ‘Chef’ Kjerstad
Dane ‘Douche’ Schmid

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Brief History:
 Spiritual liberation cannot be gained exclusively through
knowledge.
 Some past history of ascetic technique.

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Purpose of Yoga:
 Normal states of consciousness are products of ignorance
(avidva)
 Empirical consciousness must be extinguished
 Replace with extra-sensory/extra-rational experience

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“Modifications of the mind”
 Vasanas – latent tendencies
 Requires double focus

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Word Association-Yoga
 Focus on non-
religious
practice and
aesthetics.
 Youth did not
even realize
Yoga is
associated with
Hindu
practices.

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Popularization
 American Yoga Association
 Hindu American Foundation

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