Question

For each module, students will have the opportunity to discuss, reflect, and

apply course materials to understand the intersections of yoga and power
structures. To foster a collaborative learning space that pushes us to examine
power structures in yoga and systemic social hierarchies that impact yoga
traditions and practices, students will write one discussion post per module.
and reflect on caste, race, ethnicity, and gender in the development of yoga.
Students are encouraged to draw on course materials, personal experiences,
historical or contemporary data, and yoga journals.
Many of us may think of yoga as a peaceful practice that helps us center
ourselves. While this may be the case, yoga is also rooted in power structures
like class, caste, race and gender. For this post, students are encouraged to
draw on personal experience, historical and/or contemporary data and course
materials, to identify and name inequities that have been imposed by and upon
yoga as a tradition and those who practice it. Discussions can range from
experiences in contemporary yoga studios, to documentaries/magazine articles
that students have encountered that relate to the module, to ideas stemming
from other courses about colonial oppression, to reflections based solely on
what you've learned from the module's learning activities. The point of the
discussion is to help us to see how yoga is not a neutral practice, to reflect on
the ways that oppression, discrimination, and hierarchy have shaped yoga, and
finally to place ourselves in relation to these hierarchies.
250-300 words

Answer 1

In this course, students will engage in critical discussions and reflections, delving into the intricate intersections of yoga and power structures. Each module offers a unique opportunity to explore and apply course materials, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages us to scrutinize the power dynamics within yoga and their connections to broader systemic social hierarchies.

Yoga, often perceived as a serene and harmonious practice, is indeed entwined with power structures such as class, caste, race, and gender. As we embark on this journey of self-discovery and awareness, it's vital to recognize and confront the inequities that have shaped yoga as a tradition and those who engage in its practice.

In our discussions and reflections, we are encouraged to draw from a multitude of sources. Whether it be personal experiences within contemporary yoga studios, encounters with documentaries and articles, or insights from other courses examining colonial oppression, our aim is to shed light on the multifaceted layers of oppression, discrimination, and hierarchy embedded in the world of yoga.

Through these discussions, we aspire to unveil the reality that yoga is not a neutral practice but rather a reflection of societal structures. By critically assessing the ways in which oppression has influenced the development of yoga, we hope to gain a profound understanding of our place within these hierarchies and our potential role in reshaping this practice towards inclusivity, equity, and social justice.

In the upcoming modules, we will engage in thoughtful and eye-opening conversations, transcending the surface of yoga's tranquility to uncover its complex and evolving relationship with power structures.