The Antisemitism of Yoga & Wellness in the U.S.
The antisemitism of the yoga & wellness world. Let’s start this chat. None of what I point out will be new to anyone who has been paying attention, but what I want to focus on is how misinformation feeds into antisemitism. To be clear, I am referring to yoga & wellness in the United States.
First I want to talk about covid and Holocaust comparisons. I have seen “yoga and wellness” practitioners uplifting these sentiments on social media as a way to express their perceived oppression. I guess we’re all entitled to our opinion. My opinion is that I find this dangerous and insane. I would not be comfortable at your business or in your “care.”
“THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 YELLOW STAR
This false comparison distorts the badge’s role in the persecution and murder of Europe’s Jews. It is insulting to the victims and trivialises this history, producing a warped understanding of the Holocaust and the impact of antisemitism. COVID-19 yellow stars equate today’s inconveniences with the suffering of the Holocaust, and democratic governments with the Nazi regime. They encourage people to distrust experts and the democratic institutions they advise. This distrust causes grave harm when people refuse to take the measures that will protect them and others from COVID-19, illness, and death.” -IHRA https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/news-archive/holocaust-distortion-requires-urgent-international-response
The second thing I want to talk about is the comparisons I’ve seen left leaning yoga teaching social justice advocates make. I’ve seen the American & Israeli flags included with n*zi symbols and every other hate symbol one could think of. I saw this during the most recent women’s March from an account with millions of followers, and from a few yoga teachers who I have since unfollowed. If that’s what your advocacy has come to, count me out. That’s not advocacy, that’s antisemitism. “Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.” IHRA examples of antisemitism.
Another comparison we saw constantly was before the 2020 election. I’ve seen the American flag painted into a n*zi flag as a call to action to get Trump out.
What I really want to point out is this: all of the characters mentioned above, never post about things like the Tree of Life shooting, they never acknowledge Jews in any way, shape, or form in their activism. These people use Jewish history and trauma as a way to support their politics and views, but they do not care at all, about Jews. Antisemitism in yoga & wellness is a growing problem fueled by misinformation. I encourage you to 1. Include Jews in your activism. 2. Think before you like/post/share 3. Do not compare anything to the Holocaust, ever.
Phoenix Matarazzo 
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