If you are white and do yoga, you need to cease immediately or live with the knowledge that you are a dirty racist.
Well, this is the belief of a professor who claims practising yoga is contributing to "white supremacy" and a "system of power and oppression". Who knew the downward-facing dog and Hitler had so much in common?
Michigan State University religious studies professor Shreena Gandhi and self-described "anti-racist white Jewish organiser, facilitator and healer" Lillie Wolff co-authored the piece titled Yoga And The Roots Of Cultural Appropriation, news.com.au reports.
The pair argued "the explosion of yoga studios, yoga video, apps, yoga pants and other yoga swag over the last two decades is evidence" of the "(mis)appropriation of yoga" that "is part of systemic racism" built on "the labour of black people and people of the global south".
"We would argue one of the goals of white supremacy is to buffer white people from the pain that comes from the process of exchanging cultural grounding for the unearned power and privilege of whiteness," they wrote.
"This modern-day trend of cultural appropriation of yoga is a continuation of white supremacy and colonialism, maintaining the pattern of white people consuming the stuff of culture that is convenient and portable, while ignoring the wellbeing and liberation of Indian people."
According to Ms Gandhi, white people should learn yoga's history, acknowledge the cultural appropriation they engage in and possibly reduce the cost of classes for poor people — a group that often includes people of colour and "recent immigrants, such as Indian women to whom this practice rightfully belongs".
As expected, people online had some strong thoughts over the controversial claims.
The latest: people who practice yoga are racist. Why not? People who pick their nose are racist. People who walk their dog s are racist. People who go to the gym are racist. People who watch tv are racist. People who play with their phones are racist . Racist are racist. #MAGA
— Roger Trump (@WeidnerRoger) February 1, 2018
If I'm black and like yoga, am i racist too? Lmao!!🤣🤣🤣
— Miss Williams (@onedayatatime4l) February 1, 2018
Yoga, is not racist or satanic. The only thing slightly terrifying about yoga is realizing that you just might not be able to hold in that fart as you hit a new pose..... pic.twitter.com/aUdSqkZVAP
— Nerdy Nicole ... is looking at 2020 like 😳 (@CandissNicole) February 1, 2018
Professor: "Yoga contributes to white supremacy"
— adnilhoom♥️⚾️ (@adnilhoom) February 1, 2018
Fire that racist professor. Anyone who wants to do yoga can do it.
Soon liberal Cathy Areu will share that "air and water contribute to white supremacy"@TuckerCarlson