India, Sept. 2 -- You may often know yoga through familiar poses such as downward dog, warrior or child's pose. But the practice has a much wider history than the movements you see in a modern class.

A recent article in The Atlantic looks at how yoga has changed in the US, from a practice linked with spirituality to a familiar part of the fitness and wellness world. The story also revisits an older question: what happens to the quieter side of yoga when the physical practice becomes its most visible part?

Yoga developed in ancient India and has connections with several Indian religious and philosophical traditions. Its history cannot be reduced to a modern fitness routine.

The article quotes religious-studies professor Andrea R. Jain, ...