Hatha yoga originated around 1500 BC and was influenced by Buddhism, focusing on preserving vital force and engaging in extreme acts of aestheticism.
Swami Vivekananda played a significant role in spreading Indian religious and mystical teachings in the United States, sparking interest and curiosity among early American seekers.
Pierre Arnold Bernard, the first person to profit significantly from yoga, faced scandal and media scrutiny, causing a setback for yoga's acceptance in America.
Deep dives
Hatha Yoga and Its Origins
Hatha yoga originated around 1500 BC and was influenced by Buddhism. It focused on preserving vital force and included practices such as sucking water through the anus and drinking urine. Hatha yogis were seen as religious wild men who engaged in extreme acts of aestheticism, like chaining themselves or sleeping on beds of nails. They were considered outlaws during British rule and were ultimately arrested for abduction and unlawful imprisonment.
Swami Vivekananda and the Spread of Yoga in America
Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Ramakrishna, played a significant role in spreading Indian religious and mystical teachings in the United States in the late 19th century. While he did not actively promote Hatha yoga publicly, he privately taught small groups of followers some of its poses. His teachings sparked interest and curiosity among early American seekers who were looking for alternatives to traditional Western religious beliefs.
The Controversy and Arrest of Pierre Bernard
Pierre Bernard, an Irish-American man who presented himself as a Hindu teacher, was arrested and charged with abduction and unlawful imprisonment. He was accused of luring and enticing young women, including Zellia, into the practice of yoga. Bernard's teachings were a mix of physical exercise and elements of physical culture, playing into the trend sweeping the nation at the time. His arrest was part of a broader panic about the existence of white slavers. The case drew attention and generated headlines in New York City.
The Rise and Scandal of Pierre Arnold Bernard
Pierre Arnold Bernard played a crucial role in the early development of yoga in the United States. As a white man who capitalized on the popularity of yoga, he became the first person to profit significantly from it. Bernard's journey began when he encountered a Syrian-Indian yogi named Sylvace Hamadi in Nebraska in the late 1800s. Fascinated by spirituality and the occult, Bernard joined Hamadi and eventually moved to San Francisco to teach Hatha yoga. Charging exorbitant fees, he targeted wealthy individuals and formed the Tantric Order, a cult-like yoga organization. However, due to scandal and media scrutiny, Bernard's reputation suffered, causing a temporary setback for yoga's acceptance in America.
The Controversies and Moral Panic Surrounding Yoga
The scandal surrounding Pierre Arnold Bernard and the Tantric Order had lasting effects on the perception of yoga. Sensationalized by the media, accusations of sexual rituals, phallic worship, and allegations of involvement in the white slave traffic were splashed across the headlines. The negative coverage led to a moral panic and widespread condemnation of Eastern mysticism. Yoga was labeled as a soul-destroying poison, blamed for broken homes, insanity, and even death. It took several decades for yoga to regain acceptance, with the resurgence beginning in the late 1950s as it was presented as a secular exercise remedy on television. The rise of the new age movement in the 1960s further propelled the popularity of yoga, leading to its current widespread adoption.
Robert sits down with Katy Stoll to talk about The Great Oom, America's first Yoga cult leader, and precursor to all the wonderful abusive yoga cults of today.
