5. Yoga as Practiced in the West
Yoga is often marketed as an ancient, unchanging practice, yet the yoga familiar to most Westerners—centered on physical postures (asanas)—is a modern blend. In the early 20th century, Indian reformers combined traditional elements with European gymnastics to create a health-focused, holistic style. This reimagined yoga emphasizes fitness and mindfulness, quite distinct from its meditative, spiritual origins. What many consider “traditional yoga” is actually a recent, globalized reinvention. See BBC
