The yogis and tantrikas of Indian, Tibetan, and Nepalese cultures might well be puzzled by the term’s adoption among western yoga practitioners. True, the highly ritualized practices of indigenous “tantrikas” and asceticism of traditional yogis hearken far from the world of western yoga, where the pop “yogi” identity is often closely wedded to class and spiritual materialism.

For me, unpacking the term’s squeamishness entails acknowledging the well-known hipster tendency to experience as aversive anything labeled as “cool” by the mainstream. I’m no hipster, but like many, I always resisted being put in a box. The east coast “yogi” box hearkens cultural connotations presuming linkages to new-age spirituality, power yoga, handstands, lululemon, affluence … and so on.

Boxes aside, group membership is an important part of being human. Identity shopping launches in adolescence, filtered through lenses of worldview, class, race/ethnicity, and consumer preferences. Nearly everyone can relate to the sense of kindredness accessed upon finding a tribe. Tribal and subcultural identities serve an important social function, providing a sense of meaning and belonging. Shared culture and values are important; in the U.S. we’re fortunate to have a democracy that aims (with varying degrees of success) to honor the rich multiplicity these subcultures comprise. 

Yet, it is also important to note some potential downsides to identifying with a subculture—and its associated labels. Anytime we sharply identify with a group of people, a corresponding disidentification with—and judgment of—other groups may arise. For example, strongly political democrats are more staunchly opposed to republicans than they may be to other groups. Yoga practitioners of whatever stripe may be so committed to their style, that they lose sight of the overall benefits that all forms of yoga may confer. Thus, the benefits of group membership have trade-offs (consider the recent Anusara debacle), potentially blindsiding us and fostering the illusion that we are separate from (or better than) others.

Adopting the “yogi” label may be thus drawing a line in the sand that unnecessarily divides. Tantric yoga philosophy teaches that all individuals are divine; they need only awaken to this truth. Am I, then, a yogi while you are not? Beyond this, does not yoga teach us to continue expanding and awakening to inner truth, simultaneously transcending duality, labels, and identifications with the material realm? To be fair, tantra rajanaka philosophy suggests none of this is problematic, positing that ego, identifications, and illusions should be celebrated as evidence of our divinity.

What are your thoughts on the “yogi” label?

mbcyoga: ...

Funny I never think of myself as a yogi, i simply practice yoga......of course, I may need more practice than others!! :)

1

September 11, 2012

esoterica: ...

I agree with you on the broader issue of labeling and humans' need to identify and define things. Identifying with labels often causes one to shift their focus away from the present moment to some future goal. Am I a yogi? What will it take for me to have 'the honor' of calling myself a yogi? In my opinion, what is most important is that you are alert, and aware of the present not only during yoga practice, but in all aspects of your life. It will allow you to awaken and experience things you once overlooked. Being present and maintaining positive thoughts throughout the day is difficult, but yoga definitely helps us practice awareness and calmness.

2

September 13, 2012

possum1969: ...

well i think that the teachers are the yogies a student is still on a learning curve. but if you buy a lotta ticket are you gambler, or if you read jesus's words are you a christian?there is a turning point but only the person himself can really say I AM there. to me if you find yourself paying close attention to the inner path, you feel ,then you are in the flow of the universe you are a yogi.or you could say I am consous.or maybe some call bliss through the practice of yoga. but i tell you when the hourses get lose and start eating you'r roses its hard to keep calm. Bless you all little or big yogies

3

September 14, 2012