Review: The Anti “Yogi”, Fringe 2025

Mayuri Bhandari’s The Anti-Yogi is a powerful show that begins with an awe-inspiring physical display of yoga before pulling back the mat on the West’s modern, commodified interpretation of the practice.

With dance, poetry, and live music, Bhandari takes us on a journey into her life and the true roots of yoga. This is a brave and intelligent show, and Bhandari is a talented performer.

Beyond the Physical

Mayuri Bhandari is a mesmerising physical performer. Her ability is impressive, and her opening sequence of complex yoga poses and movements is enough to leave anyone who, like me, has had to work through mere physio stretches, terrified. Her physical grace and strength are on display throughout, most notably in a sequence where she transforms into the goddess Kali. Stalking the stage and the aisles of the auditorium, she embodies a shark-like ferocity and grace. A woman in a white top near me even flinched when she drew close, an understandable reaction to such an intimidating and powerful presence.

Bhandari’s performance goes far beyond the physical. It is an intensely personal autobiography that uses a combination of dance, poetry, and a powerful monologue to explore her life and identity as a South Asian American woman. With live percussion from the talented Neel Agrawal, the show is an education on the true beliefs and practices of yoga, contrasting them with the modern Western industry. Bhandari argues that if Western practitioners truly followed the tenets of yoga, they would be non-violent protestors and activists.

A Deeper Conversation

The Anti-Yogi is an important show that starts a dialogue on the cultural appropriation of yoga. The show delves into how a practice rooted in a search for truth and a renunciation of worldly life has been commodified and sold for billions. Bhandari calls out the “lycra and leggings nonsense” and even touches on the inappropriate use of retreats by some gurus.

The show doesn’t get bogged down in political leanings, avoiding the question of whether this is a “left” or “right” issue. Bhandari also doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics. Still, the show is a little too polite/curated to fully get into the homophobic practices associated with some gurus and “yoga experts” from India. That said, it provides a fantastic starting point for a deeper conversation about whether our attention should be on the cultural exploitation of yoga or more pressing global issues, such as climate change. This is not a show for those seeking light entertainment; it’s a show for those ready to think and question.

Overall

The Anti-Yogi is a fantastic show with a powerful message. Mayuri Bhandari is a strong performer, and her presence fills the room. The show is an education and an entertainment in one, providing a thought-provoking look at the cultural exploitation of a sacred practice. While it may not be a simple song-and-dance affair, it’s a show that will leave you thinking long after you’ve left the theatre. With a packed house, it’s clear that audiences are connecting with Bhandari’s message and her exceptional talent.