The Anti “Yogi” at Soho Theatre

“Liberation! Not Lululemon!” is the mantra that underlies the spirit of Mayuri Bhandari’s one-woman play The Anti “Yogi”. In a dynamic performance at the Soho Theatre in Central London, Bhandari portrays a dramatised version of herself as a yoga professor of South Asian heritage who shines a light on the Western commercialisation of yoga.

Through comedy and dance, Bhandari offers a refreshing deconstruction of the appropriation and distortion of the true essence of yoga, whereby some white practitioners of yoga (or “wogis” as Bhandari calls them) arrogantly claim understanding of the discipline yet practice in a way that places capitalism and sexualism at the forefront. Throughout the performance, Bhandari embodies Hindu deities Krishna, the Buddha and Kali, framing them as her mentors to help her explain to the audience the ethos of yoga and provide commentary on its traditional philosophy. In a beautifully mesmerising and emotional interpretation, Bhandari highlights that yoga is a spiritual, physical and mental revelation, and how the focus of its practice should be an introspective reckoning; forcing the individual to look inwards with honesty, which, in turn, prompts an unselfish passion for liberation and activism.

Bhandari is energy personified. Her performance secured the Outstanding Solo Performer Award at the Scottish Asian Art Awards at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and it is easy to see why. As both performer and writer, the play is undoubtedly personal to Bhandari, and she boldly and proudly invites the theatregoers to learn about her culture and not the “wogi” misinterpretation. The decision to include traditional Indian dance forms and live musical instrumentation by percussionist Neel Agrawal brings necessary movement and life to the play. Additionally, there is plenty of humour throughout, and the excellent use of vibrant and warm lighting elevates the sentiment of the show.

The message within The Anti “Yogi” is powerful and timely, as the rapid rise and consumption of social media means that increasing numbers of people are scrambling for ways to be seen and heard, often to the detriment of authenticity and humble appreciation of the source material. With a short 60-minute runtime, the play is able to capture both the frustration of the Western wellness monopoly and also the importance of reclaiming the truth of yoga and channelling it into action. It is a joy to experience.