Healing the West, Performing the East: Orientalism and The Yoga Barn, Bali
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2025-06-23
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en
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How does The Yoga Barn represent itself? To answer this, I will analyze the characteristics of the
wellness retreat center The Yoga Barn through an Orientalist lens, drawing on Edward Said’s
theory of Orientalism, which critiques the Western construction of an exoticized and stereotypical
view of the Eastern world (Said 2).
This research explores how The Yoga Barn commodifies Eastern spiritual practices to
appeal to Western audiences. The wellness sector in Bali is growing due to a rise in tourism and
increased interest in holistic health practices. This thesis investigates the representation of
Orientalist aspects at The Yoga Barn in Ubud. Orientalism serves as the foundational framework,
complemented by theories addressing New Age Orientalism, Orientalism and Femininity,
Orientalism and Authenticity, Orientalism as Tourism Commodity and Orientalist representations
of Spirituality.
Using online discourse analysis of images, visuals and text from The Yoga Barn’s
platforms, this thesis examines how The Yoga Barn constructs the myth of an authentic Balinese
yoga experience, catering to the Western search for spirituality and self-discovery. The findings
are organized into thematic chapters of The Yoga Barn: ‘Exoticism and Spirituality’, ‘Nature and
Nutrition’ and ‘Femininity’, each revealing how The Yoga Barn represents aspects through Said’s
Orientalist lens.
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