Yoga & Social Justice: Embodying Activism On and Off the Mat

Research published in academic hubs and comments in online forums reveals that people who identify as a person of Color, gender or sexually diverse, low-income, disabled, or bigger-bodied may not feel welcomed by the majority of yoga communities. If yoga is for everybody, why does this problem exist? How has the development and proliferation of the yoga industry maintained systemic norms that might inform this finding and work against liberation and justice? The Yoga and Social Justice course is an opportunity to investigate these and other questions while encouraging activism and meaningful steps for change.

Demonstrate an understanding of social justice themes and key terms.
Describe how intersectional systems of oppression impact yoga at the individual, interpersonal, and institutional/systemic levels.
Reflect on how approximation to privilege and marginalization via social identities influences the yoga experience.
Critique yoga’s global proliferation using a critical lens that identifies colonial, capitalist, consumerist, and patriarchal influence, to name a few.
Review historical and contemporary examples of social justice and liberation work in yoga.
Develop an embodiment and social justice engagement toolkit.
Identify actionable steps for realizing liberatory yoga futures.

This workshop is for individuals with any level of yoga experience who are interested in studying the intersection of yoga and social justice.

All are welcome. Everyone is invited in. All physical abilities encouraged. No experience in yoga or social justice is required. No matter your status or investment in yoga ranging from wisdom seeker to student to teacher, if you are invested in social justice and collective change work, this course is for you.

Show up willing to name your experience, challenge your ways of knowing, and trust that Natalie and the community will meet you where you are with loving accountability.

Undertaking social justice study requires the development of critical consciousness or “the ability to recognize and analyze systems of inequality and the commitment to take action against these systems” (El-Amin et al., 2017). This module will focus on one component of critical consciousness development. Specifically, we will develop an in-depth understanding of social justice concepts and terminology. Additionally, we will explore how our social identities inform our lived experience and yoga practice.

The second component of critical consciousness involves a commitment to change work. We will prepare for ongoing social justice engagement by developing an embodiment and transformation toolkit. The toolkit will include actionable steps for incorporating social justice into one’s yoga practice, community, business, and/or lifestyle. Additionally, we will discuss possible barriers or challenges associated with social justice work and solutions. We will conclude by imagining liberatory futures for yoga.

Andrew Harvey shares his vision of our current unprecedented world crisis. He shows that it is an evolutionary global dark night that could potentially birth an embodied divine humanity. The birthing force, he believes, of this new humanity will be what he calls Sacred Activism- the profound dynamic fusion of mystical peace, passion and strength with wise sacredly inspired urgent action. He gives practical instructions on how to become a Sacred Activist and offers guidance on how to fill our lives with focus and divine meaning.