The Prospect Podcast Yoga’s secret fascist history
Jul 23, 2025
In a thought-provoking conversation, Stewart Home, a novelist, filmmaker, and art historian, dives into the unsettling connections between yoga and far-right ideologies, as outlined in his book 'Fascist Yoga'. He reveals how yoga’s history is intertwined with dubious figures and extremist beliefs, from its early 20th-century reinvention to its incorporation by Nazis and alt-right influencers today. Stewart highlights the rise of anti-science trends within wellness culture and explores how misinformation spreads through digital platforms, emphasizing the need for critical thinking in modern practices.
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Stewart Home’s Headstand Anecdote
- Stewart Home started yoga after a boxing class at a local gym, surprising many attendees.
- He quickly learned to stand on his head and even reads fiction aloud while inverted.
Yoga’s Western Gymnastics Origins
- Modern postural yoga blends Indian spirituality with Western gymnastics introduced by the British Army.
- Early 20th century figures mixed racial and Aryan mythologies into yoga, linking it to far-right ideology.
Yoga’s Hierarchy and Ideology
- The guru-student relationship in yoga is highly hierarchical and ripe for power abuse.
- Many Western yoga teachings mix Christian New Thought ideas, emphasizing positive thinking tied to right-wing ideals.
