Yang, Yu Chieh (2026) 21st-Century Yoga Navigates Its Way in a Capitalist World. Master thesis, Cultural Geography - Sustainable Tourism and Society (STS).
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Abstract
ABSTRACT In an increasingly globalized world, yoga has become widespread, continuously transferred, translated, and reinterpreted across diverse cultural and economic contexts. It now encompasses a broad range of meanings, from union with the divine and a state of being to a way of life, a philosophical system of values, and a form of health-oriented physical exercise. Across yoga studios, apparel, retreats, and the marketing of wellness and spiritual tourism destinations, yoga is embedded with layered meanings—personal, spiritual, cultural, and political. To develop a more holistic understanding of yoga and its influence on individuals’ daily choices, behaviours, and the expanding wellness and spiritual tourism industries, this study engages with a range of interdisciplinary literature. It seeks to explore how yoga can be represented and practiced in ways that foster inclusivity and a sense of oneness within a global system often characterized by capitalism, division, and inequality. In doing so, the study examines the intersection of key concepts, including authenticity, nationalism, capitalism, colonialism, cultural representation, and ways toward cultivating a more inclusive and sustainable yoga environments and communities. These perspectives provide critical insight into how contemporary representations of yoga may reproduce or challenge existing social hierarchies and divisions. Complementing the literature review, the study draws on the lived experiences of practitioners and teachers to investigate how individuals navigate the tensions between yoga’s spiritual foundations and its commodified expressions within a capitalist framework. The research aims to contribute to a more ethical, inclusive, and culturally sensitive understanding of yoga that supports not only individual well-being but also social equity and a broader sense of interconnectedness across cultures and communities. Key words: yoga, authenticity, spirituality, capitalism, colonialism, cultural appropriation, commodification, Hindutva, relationality, reciprocity
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Name supervisor: | Muldoon, M.L. |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jun 2026 11:23 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jun 2026 11:23 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/858 |
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