“No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.”, John Donne
These words from the poet John Donne essentially point to our being better together than in isolation and as individuals we are one piece of the greater whole that is humanity.
What does any of this have to do with yoga? Indeed, does politics and/or activism have a place in yoga? Politics as defined by the Oxford dictionary refers to activities within the governance of a country, the relations between states, a particular set of political beliefs or principles and activities aimed at increasing someone’s status or increasing power. Most of these seem quite far removed from yoga yet when political decisions have a ripple down effect and impact our lives, our behaviour and our health surely yoga comes into play and there is a case to argue that social justice and political activism is entrenched within the practise of yoga off the mat.
After all Gandhi, although not an uncontroversial figure, through nonviolent activism was able to facilitate the ending of centuries of oppressive rulership and once said,
“if we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do”.
Essentially – be the change you wish to see in the world.
I enjoy following the machinations of politics and political discourse. Having studied and worked within the fields of Human Rights and Civil Liberties I admire the tenacity and strength of the late Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg and many more so it feels natural for me to talk freely on this subject but I’m also aware that discussions around activism and politics may not sit comfortably with everyone for personal reasons which we can respect. Furthermore navigating how we find our voices in the yoga industry isn’t easy especially one which places significance on follower numbers on social media, brand deals and the more aesthetic side of yoga.
Generally, we focus on an asana practice with pranayama and then perhaps mindfulness and meditation, all of which are wonderful and absolutely to be encouraged, but yoga can be more than that.
I first came to yoga to counterbalance the demands of work as a busy lawyer and quickly fell in love with ashtanga and then vinyasa yoga and to be clear I continue to enjoy and teach physical vinyasa yoga. Indeed, the discipline, the commitment, the physical and mental strength these practices build is invaluable both on and off the yoga mat and this is not to be minimised in any way. I would describe myself as a fairly pragmatic no nonsense yoga teacher who tries to ensure yoga is relevant in the world we live in.
Yoga classes in gyms and yoga studios are one of the most tangible ways to access yoga and I am delighted so many get to benefit from these. Arguably, however, they are also the first rung of a ladder which could represents the whole practice - each rung being something we step onto as our practice evolves.
If we look at two of the most popular and referred to yoga texts, namely Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Baghavad Gita you will see the following.
In Patanjali Yoga Sutras the ethical codes for living known as the Yamas (how to interact with the world around us) and Niyamas (habits for healthy living) lay the groundwork and come before the more physical practices of asana and pranayama.
The Baghavad Gita describes the story of a battle in which the warrior Arjuna is faced with the difficult task of a battle and fighting some family members and friends to win back his stolen kingdom. This causes him much angst but with the advice of Krishna he remains engaged and fights for what he believes is right – “yoga in action” practised with equanimity. Is Arjuna all of us as we navigate growing social and environmental upheaval not acted out on a battlefield but as compassionate activists campaigning for the dignity and safety of those marginalised and threatened? The Gita was of course referred to by Steve Bannon, a controversial figure, who in 2014 uses the example of fighting a battle to support his views on military action in pursuit of extreme religious fundamentalism and political gain which as a fellow yoga colleague pointed out to me rightly begs the question how do we feel when the politicisation of yoga is attached to views which we wholly disagree with? Perhaps one thing we can do is act with equanimity as demonstrated by Arjuna and calmly present an alternative view - how the Gita is a text which lends itself to different interpretations and rather than a bloody battlefield it is a field of righteousness and sadharana dharma - ethical restraint, acting with "ahimsa"/ not hurting others.
If we as yoga teachers and practitioners spend hours perfecting “advanced asanas” and focus largely on short term dopamine hits (from social media to glossy magazines) but off the mat fail to act kindly and with understanding and compassion towards others or turn our gaze and fail to speak out when we witness or are aware of social injustice or bigotry or prejudice, are we really practicing yoga?
“the idea of a yoga practice is really not just to focus and be aware and mindful and calm for the time that we’re on the mat, but to carry this state of being with us when we leave class”, Emma Newlyn, yoga teacher
In workshops and on retreats you may hear me refer to the practice of yoga on our mats being a microcosm of the macrocosm and beyond. What does that really mean?
For me it means questioning whether we are paying attention to our behaviour and actions and reactions, are fully present, are practicing with awareness and are using our yoga practice as a vehicle for positive individual and societal change?
This is a lot to take on and consider especially if what leads us to step through the yoga studio doors is a desire to stretch, improve mobility and flexibility and relax and of course all of those are not just fine but often much needed! After all who doesn’t love the satisfaction that comes with nailing an arm balance or pistol squat (or maybe the pistol squat is just me!?) or the calm and sense of “ahhhh” following a yoga Nidra practice, or the better understanding of how to regulate our nervous system and emotional responses and reactions through pranayama practices. These alone are incredibly beneficial.
Of course we can go to yoga classes simply because we enjoy them, and they make us feel good physically and mentally but there may come a stage where we want to dive a little deeper into the philosophy and activism which goes hand in hand with this ancient practice. As yoga teachers we have a role to play in this.
I am not advocating a party-political broadcast during a yoga class (that’s a terrifying thought!) indeed, our efforts are better directed towards providing a welcoming, neutral and safe space for all. However, as I write this blog we are entering an unprecedented time of global uncertainty, indeed, there is a case to be said that history is now repeating itself as in America and elsewhere we are seeing right wing fundamentalism being given a credible platform by some Governing parties. Such politics thrives on division, a separation of societies, a sense of “I-ness” rather than “togetherness”, a prioritising of ego and power over humility and in my view as a yoga teacher, therapist and student of philosophy this conflicts with much of what yoga stands for.
Let’s turn to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Yamas and Niyamas which, as I mention above, come first for a reason – they provide an ethical code for right living both in how we care for ourselves, treat others and interact with the world around us.
If I was to focus on two at the moment it would be the Yama “Ahimsa” which means non harming in thoughts, words and deed and which underpins all the others and the Yama “Satya” which means truthfulness
The ability to communicate kindly with others and engage in productive civil discourse is a skill as is the ability to discern the truth from falsehoods and propaganda.
As teachers we organise, advertise and plan a yoga class and as practitioners we book in and enjoy a wonderful 60/70-minute group or private session and then what? How might we put social activism into practice, support social justice and help others within the context of yoga?
The following are examples of ways I am or have been trying to make yoga a more accessible and compassionate space especially in these times. There may be something here which is of interest to you.
. Speaking up - for marginalised individuals and communities. Teachers with large/larger social media platforms have an opportunity to use them and reach others. I am also paying more attention to who I collaborate and work with. Selecting and promoting brands who supporting DEI is a powerful way to make a statement. Consider also working with organisations of like-minded individuals, petitioning elected representatives and attending protests.
. Volunteering- engaging with the local community (food banks/charity work). I have written previously on how this also roots and grounds us and is an essential part of the more subtle Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Koshas and our sense of belonging and being. I have a planned half marathon later this year which I am running for charity.
. Svadhyaya/Self-study (the fourth Niyama)– taking time to reflect upon what our practise on the mat says about the way we practise life. Spending more time in study (diving into yoga texts which might have been gathering dust or other books!), listening to podcasts, improving the ability to critically analyse news sources, read, read and read some more but with discernment and awareness. At the end of this blog, I have included a short list of recommended books and podcasts.
. Accessibility- making yoga classes accessible – offering modifications, offering a variety of classes (not all classes will be suitable for everyone which is fine but ensuring that is clear from the outset) and weaving philosophy through classes not as a lecture or add on but as an intrinsic part of the class I am teaching. Personal agency is also very important, and people should feel able to opt out of an asana or something else if they don’t want to do it. Language is important and I aim to use phrases such as "I invite you to" rather than " and now do".
. Asanas - teaching asanas to help people build strength, proprioceptive and interoceptive awareness and feel empowered. Lions Breath, Warrior asanas, Breath of Joy all have a role to play.
. Emotional Regulation – I aim to offer breathing practices as useful tools to help with emotional regulation giving students the ability to pause between action and their reaction and perhaps off the mat engage in political discourse in a civil way. That can be quite tricky! It also goes without saying that sometimes what we don't say speaks volumes.
. Tolerance and kindness – making it clear that I won’t tolerate prejudice or discrimination of any kind in my class. Introducing kindness and the practice of Metta as a way to move from empathy (essential for awareness but often draining as we absorb others emotions) into compassion and action however small that might seem. Words and thoughts and where we direct our energy has power.
.and finally, ensuring that I am enjoying my own yoga practise in whatever form that takes. This is important because building emotional and physical strength and acknowledging the power of rest supports our energy for helping others. Fill your cup first!
As yoga teachers, yoga practitioners we have so much to offer this world from providing classes to soothe frazzled nervous systems or helping individuals to connect with each other in a welcoming sangha. We are navigating a pivotal time in history and politics affects us all not just from the local to the national level but also across borders and oceans. Now might be a good time to unravel yoga from its association with the heavily monetised and not always backed by science “wellness industry” and the toxic positivity we often see (only asserting “love and peace” and “omming it all away” isn’t going to change much) and take some time to enjoy and share this beautiful practice on the mat and to put effort into extoling its message of diversity, equality and inclusion on and off the mat and living a kinder more conscious life.
Social media creates the perfect storm of disinformation, opinions presented as facts and very little accountability. Yoga is thriving on social media, but I wonder at what point do we use it as a platform to speak out about injustice, to support others or is it enough to post photos or videos of sequences (which I do and I hope are useful). Has formulaic yoga marketing on social media and elsewhere gone too far?
What about the practice of discernment and awareness. Is it enough to simply say that I don’t believe there is a place in yoga for activism? Is yoga by its very nature already political?
The questions I am currently processing are -
. How can our social justice work not arise from a reaction born of anger but rather an action that is more measured and rooted in love?
. How can we engage with the worlds suffering, political uncertainty and unfairness without drowning in it?
In the meantime, this poem speaks to me as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, yoga practitioner and human being. It sums up what I hope to create both on and off the mat.
Invitation to Brave Space
Together we will create a brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know.
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work on it side by side
By Micky Jones (inspired by Beth Strano)
Finally, my top tip – pay attention to those speaking out for others marginalised or being denied their fundamental rights during difficult times and/or to those quietly supporting members in their community – that is where the entirety of yoga is being practised.
Book Recommendations/Podcasts (available at the time of writing this)
Free and Equal – What would a fair society look like by Daniel Chandler
Yoga Revolution & Accessible Yoga – both by Jivana Heyman
The Rest is Politics US and UK
Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson
On Being with Krista Tippett
Yogaland Podcast with Andrea Ferretti
Insights at the Edge hosted by Tami Simon – Seane Corn and The Yoga of Awakening
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