Learn About Yoga’s Roots and What You Can Do to Decolonize Your Practice
The Roots of Yoga: Decolonizing Your Practice will delve into the origins of yoga philosophy, which is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. In this series, we’ll work to deconstruct the colonization of yoga, apparent in many Western interpretations of the practice, from an authentic South Asian perspective.
In this course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of yoga through the study of one of the sacred texts in which yoga philosophy originates, learn the significance of the number 108 and Aum/Om, explore traditional mantra practices, and more.
This six-hour, four-part course will cover:
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, the ancient guidebook on yoga that details the eight-limbed path, plus the background of Lord Vishnu and Adisesha as they relate to Sage Patanjali.
Lord Shiva as the original yogi and lord of yoga. You’ll learn key poses associated with him and their meaning plus a mantra for protection and upliftment.
Ways you can start to unpack and decolonize your yoga practice right now.
SESSION BREAKDOWN
Session 1 - Tuesday, March 16: 6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT Introduction to Hinduism and the philosophy of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra.
Session 2 - Thursday, March 18: 6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT Lecture on Lord Shiva and his significance in yoga philosophy. Exploring the true essence of Aum/Om.
Session 3 - Tuesday, March 23: 6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT Introduction to traditional mantra practice with mala beads and the significance of 108.
Session 4 - Thursday, March 25: 6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT Decolonizing your yoga practice with tools to deconstruct the whitewashing of yoga in the West.