Yoga: India's Soft Power to the World

From spiritual practice to fitness trend, yoga carries culture, politics, and national glory. Under the active promotion of Indian Prime Minister Modi, the United Nations has designated June 21 as International Yoga Day.

Yoga, an ancient tradition originating from India with a history dating back 3,000 to 6,000 years, has now become an important cultural asset that this South Asian country exports to the world.

Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and ethical principles, yoga is not just a way to maintain health, but also emphasizes the unity of body, mind, and spirit.

In recent decades, through various international celebrations, cultural exchanges, and educational programs, yoga has long left India and become a global phenomenon, as well as an important symbol of Indian cultural identity.

Under the active lobbying of the Modi government, the United Nations announced in late 2014 that June 21 would be established as "International Yoga Day." This move elevated yoga to a symbol of Indian cultural pride and national identity.

Yoga as "Soft Power"

On June 21, 2023, Modi personally led the celebration of Yoga Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Former Indian official Prasad pointed out: "That was the very place where he first proposed this idea."

He believes that in an unstable global situation, yoga is a force that can unite people and bring harmony. "Every time someone unrolls a yoga mat and starts practicing, they are connected to India's rich civilizational tradition, which itself is India's soft power."

Professor Hegde from the School of International Studies at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University believes that promoting yoga is part of the Indian government's effort to preserve and strengthen its "traditional knowledge system."

The AYUSH Department, responsible for developing traditional medicine, not only leads the promotion of yoga domestically and internationally, but also collaborates with European countries, the European Yoga Federation, and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), as well as the World Health Organization to launch the "Myoga" application, bringing yoga to the world.

Grassroots Cultural Diplomacy

"Supporting yoga overseas is essentially grassroots cultural diplomacy," said Professor Behera from the National Institute of Islamic Studies in India to DW.

He pointed out that human connections are often more intimate than between nations, and yoga reminds the world that India is not only a political and economic power, but also a civilization with cultural, spiritual, and historical depth.

Behera emphasized that promoting yoga does not cause fear or is seen as a threat, giving New Delhi an advantage. "It is non-controversial and non-violent, with universal appeal. Unlike military or economic power, its influence spreads quietly."

Concerns in the Global Yoga Industry

However, in Western countries, yoga is often simplified into physical postures and dominated by images of slim white people. Critics argue that emphasizing the link between "practicing yoga" and "having a good body" may deter people whose body types do not conform to the stereotypical beauty standards.

Cultural appropriation and excessive commercialization have also sparked controversy.

According to market research firm Allied Market Research, the global yoga industry is worth over 35 billion euros (about USD 38 billion) annually, covering courses, tourism, products, books, magazines, and incense, among others.

Hegde bluntly stated that yoga has now become an elite activity in many countries, mainly popular among the wealthy, excluding the lower and marginalized groups.

Behera warned that when yoga is tied to political agendas, its universality may be lost. He cited the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India attempting to use yoga to enhance Hindu pride and promote the majority religion. "This limits the inclusiveness of yoga and deprives it of its original spiritual essence."

Sources: DW

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842660537975816/

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