Disclaimer first: I do not like the very first word I used in this title. “White Washed” – what does it really mean? In general sense it is used to represent “White” majority or a lack of “people of color.” This word sounds very racist to me as does “people of color.” I am myself a “person of color.” When we start using colors to identify a group of people, or our ethnicity, it sounds like a problem to me. People are far more than a color. No one is actually “white” or “black.” We all have a skin color which is neither white nor black. We could maybe say we are all different shades of brown? But I would rather not classify people by their skin color. Having said that my introduction to this word “white washed” came from social media where my news feed was filled with anti white washed sentiments.

I am a person of East Indian origin settled in America for 15+ years now. I live in Southern California and in one of the most metropolitan regions of this country and a place where I find yoga centers in plenty. Along with these yoga centers there are a lot of Kirtan events, yoga festivals, meditation retreats and eastern spirituality influenced gatherings. Since these gatherings connect me with my roots I have been a part of this growing community. As a Kirtan singer I have participated, led, taught and learnt a great deal from this community.

Kirtan is a spiritual call and response style of singing which often involves mantras and chants from Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. It originated in India and has become popular in the west after emergence of Spiritual centers as well as yoga. Most yoga instructors like to introduce some Kirtan in their sessions. Kirtan singing is an essential part of yoga and is one of the 8 limbs of yoga.

Over years I have noticed how yoga and Kirtan has evolved in Southern California. What makes me a bit uneasy is how there is a lack of any “people of color” in terms of participation or leading these Kirtans or yoga classes. A typical scene I find myself in is a studio with a majority of “white” people, clad in branded yoga accessories, an OM or namaste tattoo, sipping green tea. Studio with polished hard wood floors, some western kirtan playing in the background, sage or essential oil filling up the space with its fragrance and decorated with some Hindu tradition art. Often times they have a statue of Ganesha or Hanuman right outside and this is where my cringe begins. For Hindus, Ganesha and Hanuman are revered- they are Gods, they deserve respect and are not objects for decoration but for prayer. Their place is at altar not at doorstep where people leave their shoes. In Hinduism shoes are considered unsure and unhygienic, as they indeed are. When entering a temple or even homes culturally we leave our foot wear outside. Footwear is not supposed to be anywhere near Gods and Goddesses. So when I see these yoga teachers who claim to have assimilated with Indian culture and values place an idol of Hindu God / Goddess outside near footwear it troubles me. A part of me often wants to move all those shoes so that my Ganesha can breath- although I stop myself and console myself thinking “they are trying.”

Once within the studio, I notice lack of any “brown” or “black” people. Why has yoga/Kirtan become just for whites and essentially by the whites? It pains to see totally incorrect information that some of the “yogis” perpetuate. Participants unaware of their leaders knowledge or lack of thereof, believe and take this (mis) information with them and this (mis)information spreads so much that it almost becomes believable. Mis-pronunciation is another major distraction. Why can the leaders not make a honest attempt to learn the right way of pronouncing these sacred, ancient mantras and chants? I almost feel a sense of superiority that prevails amongst such yoga / kirtan leaders. I can almost hear them saying “as a white person I am doing you and your county a huge favor by singing and copying your culture.”

At some kirtan gatherings here in the West, I have felt the focus is on getting people to stand up and dance. I have been advised with 100% good intentions that I should deviate from my style of traditional raga based kirtans and add some western elements so that people can get up and dance. What is wrong with people sitting and chanting without dancing for kirtans, I have asked myself.

Why is there such a predominance of white and especially males in yoga/kirtan world? Why don’t we see South East Asians or any other “people of color” on yoga magazine covers ? Why are they not interviewed? Why are they not featured as headliners for yoga/kirtan music festivals? In Southern California there is no dearth of South East Asians. Why is the hot looking female on yoga cover always white, slim, yoga with a perfect makeup, hair, clothes and perfect pose? Yoga is neither weight loss exercise nor it is a stretching/balancing exercise. Then why not feature real people? Why is it so rare to see a well rounded person doing yoga? Does that never happen? Also since when did yoga require branded clothing? And more importantly why has this entire yoga become a marketing gimmick? Why is there so little to no representation of people of color?

I don’t have a problem with whites taking over yoga / kirtan from my culture, what I have a problem with is the fact that most of them are spreading their half baked knowledge, incorrect information and using it to make money, market themselves without knowing or trying to learn even the very basics. I have always believed in one global world- I believe that humans can make great progress when we learn from one another and imbibe the goodness that the other has to offer- be it traditions or technology. However I have a mixed feeling when I see so many yoga centers teaching all sorts of yoga ranging from Hatha yoga to goat and beer yoga.

Kamini Natarajan is an Author and Kirtan Singer based in Los Angeles CA. She organizes Kirtan Meetups and writes, sings and leads Kirtan in Indian Ragas. To learn more please visit: http://www.kaminimusic.com