Angelica GovaertOwner/Founder, Yogalebrity · Online Yoga Empire Builder

traditional sun salutation yoga flow #yogaclass

30 Jan 2024 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:57

In this short monologue, the speaker warns yoga teachers that mislabeling non‑traditional sequences as Surya Namaskar A, B, or C constitutes cultural appropriation. They explain that these three sun salutation flows are historically fixed sequences taught consistently for generations. The speaker recounts attending a gym class where the instructor incorrectly called a mixed‑up set of poses “Surya Namaskar B,” emphasizing that while creating new variations is permissible, it is dishonest to present them as traditional. The video ends with a call to follow for more candid yoga‑teacher advice.

Chapters

It might surprise you to find out that you are practicing cultural appropriation when you're teaching yoga. Surya Namaskar A, B, and C are traditional yoga flows taught the same way every single time. Recently, I attended a yoga class at the gym, and unfortunately, the teacher kept referring to Surya Namaskar B as something that it wasn't. Mixing together any old poses that you feel like is not Surya Namaskar A, B, or C. These are specific and traditional flows within a larger yoga sequence that have been taught the same way year after year after year. It's, it's okay to make up your own thing, but it's not okay to call it a traditional flow like Surya Namaskar A when you're teaching something completely different. Light up the follow button for more honest yoga teacher tips.