YOGA’S LIVING LEGACY: Tradition, Transformation and the Challenges of Modernity
Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities April 18, 2026 Sanchali Podder, Poulastya Mahananda, Ishita Mishra
Yoga is a living legacy that originated on the Indian subcontinent and has transformed from a precolonial spiritual discipline through colonial reworking into postcolonial globalization. In the 21st century, yoga has diversified into many styles and been incorporated into mainstream healthcare, wellness industries, and therapeutic applications in urban societies. This transformation raises concerns about commodification, dilution of teachings due to commercialization, accessibility barriers, debates over cultural authenticity and ownership, and risks of injury from overemphasis on physical postures. An anthropological perspective reveals that yoga's value lies in how culture thrives through the body and survives through transformation. The article encourages communities to support holistic well-being in a globalized world.