The Anti "Yogi"

Soho Theatre

Playing until 16^th May 2026

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Photo credit: AJV Fotoworks

{PR Gifted ticket}

Yoga, a physical exercise that aids balance and relaxation, at least that is what it is known for worldwide. However, to those that grew up with yoga in India, it is a spiritual practice that enables one to look within oneself and connection with the natural world.

Adoption of this practice by the western culture has given birth to many “yogis”, diminishing the spiritual aspect to focus on the physical, polluting and diluting the fundamental messages influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Mayuri Bhandari’s script is unafraid to point out and make fun of the hypocrisy adopted by some “yogis”, who have bastardised the mental enlightenment of yoga. With the aid of the buddha and the Hindu gods Krishna and Kali, this play challenges the concept of modern yoga and how it is so far removed from its original intentions.

The twisted and self-serving nature of some “yogis” are called into question, debasing a practice rooted in the goodness of human nature and turned into tool for personal gains in a multi-billion industry, right down to the environmental damaging Lycra clothing that are worn and promoted.

Before Bhandari begins to explore her own personal journey and relationship with the modern westernised yoga practice, she draws the audience in with a more light hearted performance trying out a yoga class. Here, she showcases her flexibility as she transitions from one yoga position to another in time with the music, really highlighting the fact that these poses are well known and second nature to her. Here, she begins to point out the absurdity of the instructions from her class’s instructor, like inhale and exhale of emotions and breath through her third eye. These are highly metaphorical and abstract and completely meaningless to anyone who pays even the slightest attention to them. However, I suspect many people would be too focused on achieving the desired poses than to listen out for the precise meanings of the words used.

During the course of the play, Bhandari takes on the portrayal of multiple deities, each with their own unique characters and make them instantaneously recognisable. The actress plays each of her roles with utter precision and transition between them with absolute fluidity, creating figures that could be both whimsical and ferocious. Serving as a live percussionist on stage with Bhandari, Neel Agrawal’s music adds a layer of authenticity to the overarching message and anchors the play with traditional music. In certain places, it also bolsters the intensity of Bhandari’s movements and dancing. The combination of the performers’ efforts is fantastically interwoven and directed by Shyamala Moorty & D’Lo.

An eye-opening experience that exposes the corruption of modern yoga practices. It reveals that spiritual enlightenment is at the core of yoga and the physical movements are merely an accompanying act. It sends a powerful message that this state could be achieved outside of a studio as long as one could find the place, cause and people to connect with spiritually.  

Creatives

Writer and Performer: Mayuri Bhandari

Composer and Live Percussionist: Neel Agrawal

Director: Shyamala Moorty & D’Lo

Producer: Mayuri Bhandari & Kelly Lynne D’Angelo