Yoga has a long history in the United States. Starting with Henry David Thoreau, yoga has captivated Americans, and has been translated, practiced and commodified to be culturally constructed in a particular way: as “eastern” and mystical; as non-Hindu, universal and scientific; as a practice for better health, and thus easily appropriated. This talk will highlight parts of this long history to show how yoga has been raced, gendered and classed in a particular way, which in turn may give us more insight into understanding the connection between whiteness and cultural appropriation.