Look at this gem: Marilyn, yoga posing in 1948!
“Marilyn Monroe’s latest kick is yogi [sic],” wrote Walter Winchell in 1956. “To improve her legs, she says.”
Well… she was right! Ardha Sarvangasana / Half Shoulder Stand improves circulation of blood and lymph, but also stimulates the thyroid and immune system! No wonder why she was so “beyoutiful” ;-)
Even if Yoga was introduced to the US a long time ago (some time in the 19th century?), this is certainly ahead of the big breakthrough of Yoga into the mainstream, at least from what I know of it!
Hi Alex! You are right I think Marilyn practicing Yoga in 1956 (and maybe prior) was definitely “avant-garde” – and nothing can compare the current explosion of Yoga in the Western world. If you are interested in the upbringing of Yoga in America in the late 40’s, here is an interesting article: http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/467. Enjoy :-)