Kemetic yoga is an Egyptian system of yoga which involves a combination of physical movements, deep breathing techniques and meditation. This form of yoga has a larger emphasis on breathing patterns, while also inculcating the philosophies of self-development, healing of mind-body-spirit and self-discovery. Kemetic yoga originated in ancient Egypt, then known as "Kemet". Its modern daypractice was developed by studying many hieroglyphictexts from the time as well as the wall carvings and paintings on Egyptian temples which portray pharaohs in yogic postures. A research conducted in the 1970s by Asar Hapi and Yirser Ra Hotep is said to have resulted in the evolution of the modern version of kemetic yoga.
History and symbolism
While historians have estimated that yoga originated in the Indus Valley around 3300 BCE, images portraying yoga and meditation poses which were found in Egypt were argued to have predated this time period. The Kemetic term for the practice is "Smai Tawi", which means joining the lands of upper Kemet and lower Kemet, and is represented with gods Heru and Sebek tying ropes around the Smai symbol, which depicts spine and lungs. The symbol asserts the "use of breath as the life-force opening the energy centers along the spine and brain that enlighten human consciousness." The movements in the practice of kemetic yoga is said to imitate the poses prescribed for attaining enlightenment, the highest spiritual level indicated by the neteru. The goal of the practice is said to be "attaining divine spiritual wisdom" which is represented by the symbol of uraeus coming from the third eye of the pharaoh. As pharaoh represented the leader of the two lands, the symbol can be interpreted as uniting two human entities, body-mind and soul-spirit, for mastering the life force through the practice of yoga.
Modern development
Modern form of Kemetic yoga was developed by translating and interpreting ancient hieroglyphic texts called Medu Neter. A researcher from Chicago, Asar Hapi, spread the practice of Kemetic yoga by traveling across the US, while yoga master Yirser Ra Hotep trained and certified instructors, teaching "slow, methodical and precisely angular" forms of Kemetic yoga.
Wellness tourism
Kemetic yoga has contributed significantly to Egypt's wellness tourism, with the country's Ministry of Tourism promoting it internationally. In 2019, CNN broadcast a short documentary called "Yoga in Egypt", in collaboration with Egypt's Ministry of Tourism.
