Yoga fascista: estafadores, ocultistas, supremacistas blancos y el nuevo orden del bienestar

Table of Contents

In Fascist Yoga: Grifters, Occultists, White Supremacists, and the New Order In Wellness, Stewart Home unravels the complex and often uncomfortable relationship between the wellness industry and far-right ideologies. Through rigorous research, the author exposes how occult figures, con artists, and white supremacists have embraced and adapted practices like yoga to promote reactionary political agendas. The book traces the journey from the origins of modern yoga to its commercialization in the West, revealing a history of appropriation and ideological distortion. Home not only criticizes the commodification of spirituality but also warns about the dangers of an industry that, under a veneer of wellness, can harbor messages of hatred and exclusion.

Who should read this book?

This work is aimed at a broad audience: from yoga practitioners and wellness professionals to students of political science and sociology. It will also be of great interest to those following the debate on cultural appropriation and the politicization of Eastern practices. The book invites critical reflection on the consumption of spirituality in contemporary society, making it especially relevant for readers seeking to understand the intersections between culture, power, and ideology. Although the tone is accessible, some background in political topics is recommended to fully appreciate the connections established by the author.

Comparison with similar titles

Fascist Yoga falls within a tradition of critical analysis of modern spirituality, comparable to works such as Mircea Eliade's Yoga: Immortality and Freedom or Mark Singleton's Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. However, Home differentiates himself through his explicitly political and journalistic approach, moving away from academicism to offer a direct denunciation of the reactionary uses of wellness. While other books explore the history or philosophy of yoga, this one focuses on its political instrumentalization, making it a unique complementary read.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of sources does Stewart Home use?

The author draws on a combination of historical archives, interviews, and analyses of current media. Although it is not an academic work in the strict sense, his research is documented with references to key figures and real political movements.

Is it an impartial book?

No. Home adopts a critical and explicit stance against the far-right. The book is a denunciation, not a neutral study. This may make some readers uncomfortable, but it is precisely its value as a testimony to an uncomfortable reality.

Does the book include yoga practices?

No. This is a political and cultural essay, not a practical manual. Those looking for yoga instructions will find here an analysis of its social context, not practice techniques.