Liberating Yoga

Yoga as a Philosophy of Integrity with Anjali Rao

Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Anjali Rao.Why do modern yoga spaces feel so in conflict with the path’s core principles? In this episode of the Liberating Yoga Podcast, I'm in conversation with Teacher, Intersectional Health Advocate, and Space Holder, Anjali Rao.We discuss the absence of history and philosophy in yoga teacher trainings, the damage of unbridled power and privilege in yogic spaces, and all that is possible when we tap into the depth of yoga’s teachings.00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Meeting Anjali Rao01:31 - Meaning Of Yoga04:47 - History Gap In Teacher Trainings07:06 - Colonisation, Capitalism & Asana09:56 - Practitioner Vs Teacher Responsibility13:12 - Reframing 200-Hour Curriculum18:19 - Erasure & Dominant Narratives22:17 - Quantity Over Quality Culture26:17 - Yoga On Happiness & Contentment30:18 - Harms Of Capitalism36:23 - Wholeness, Practice & Patriarchy40:30 - Dating Yoga’s Origins45:35 - Learning Philosophy Paths48:23 - Trauma-Informed Claims Examined51:39 - Interconnectedness Core Teaching58:29 - Living Yoga With Integrity1:00:02 - Power, Privilege & Diverse Voices1:05:17 - Burnout And Staying Grounded1:11:24 - Vision For Future Change Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] Resources Thank you for watching this video and checking out the channel. My practice is rooted in my spiritual background of Sikhism and Buddhism and ancestral roots in Panjab, India - this informs my desire to teach yoga authentically as a spiritual practice. To learn more, please find all of our resources below. Online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga] Liberating Yoga Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/book ] Work With Me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] #yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration

Decolonizing Yoga: Classical Roots & Spirituality with Dr. Neil Dalal

Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Dr. Neil Dalal. There is no checklist for avoiding cultural appropriation and honoring yoga’s roots. In a society seeking quick fixes to avoid being “wrong,” this episode is an invitation to think more deeply about how we might connect back to the path’s original intentions with reverence. In this conversation, Dr. Neil Dalal, Researcher and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Alberta, speaks about what it might look like to practice deeply and decolonize the spiritual path of yoga. 00:00 - Intro 05:01 - What Yoga Means to Dr. Neil Dal 10:05 - Understanding Moksha in Classical Yoga 15:21 - Yoga as Present-Moment Liberation 20:11 - Modern Yoga Goals vs Classical Intent 25:23 - Structural Shifts in Global Yoga 30:31 - Dangers of Surface-Level Teaching 35:52 - Teacher Trainings & Lack of Depth 41:03 - White Ownership & Cultural Distortion 46:30 - Can Yoga Be Decolonized? 52:03 - Beyond the Checklist Mentality 57:00 - Yoga’s Identity Crisis in the West 1:02:08 - Finding Authentic Yoga Paths 1:07:14 - South Asian Teachers & Tokenism 1:12:17 - Value of Traditional Lineage 1:17:21 - Yoga as Deep Cultural Training 1:22:12 - Dangers of Unsupervised Practices 1:27:05 - Rise & Issues of Modern Kundalini Yoga 1:32:51 - Yoga Nidra, Modern Myths, & Misunderstandings 1:38:01 - History of Asana & Lineage Loss 1:43:06 - Four Aims of Life & Yoga’s Real Goal 1:48:54 - Yoga’s Critique of Capitalism & Desire 1:54:00 - Returning to Wholeness Through Inquiry 2:00:00 - Last Reflections & Integration Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] Resources Thank you for watching this video and checking out the channel. My practice is rooted in my spiritual background of Sikhism and Buddhism and ancestral roots in Panjab, India - this informs my desire to teach yoga authentically as a spiritual practice. To learn more, please find all of our resources below. Online ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com] ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ] ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ] ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga] Liberating Yoga Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/book ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/book ] Work With Me ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] #yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration

Tantric Yoga & The Power of Holding Multiple Truths | Kendra Coupland

Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Kendra Coupland.You are divine. What might it look like to embody this truth, while being deeply aware of how oppressive systems impact us in a very real way based on our multi-faceted human identities? Harpinder Kaur Mann is in conversation with Kendra Coupland, Yoga Grandmaster, Mindfulness Coach, and Artist, on this episode of the Liberating Yoga Podcast. They explore the importance of discomfort, harmful patterns in mainstream yoga spaces, and how tantric philosophy can lead us toward collective liberation. Book Launch Eventhttps://www.harpindermann.com/events 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - Meet Kendra Coupland 02:40 - What Yoga Means to Kendra 06:17 - Embodiment of Divinity 09:11 - Spiritual Bypassing in Yoga 12:15 - Yoga and Suffering 16:16 - Trauma & Yoga Spaces 19:00 - Individualised Practice 22:02 - Kendra's Teaching Style 25:07 - Limits of the Practice 28:42 - Daily Practice Matters 33:26 - Emotional Regulation 36:09 - Embodying Oneness 41:17 - Practices to Decondition 45:16 - Seeing the Interconnectedness 50:27 - Ancestors & Awareness 54:26 - Honoring Lineage 57:26 - Yoga & Disconnection 59:59 - Entry Points Into Yoga 1:02:02 - Equanimity & Observation 1:06:03 - Awareness vs. Ignorance 1:08:15 - Yoga & Cult-like Trends 1:12:30 - Teacher vs. Student First 1:16:36 - Warrior Heart Practice 1:18:10 - Disrupting Thought Patterns 1:20:28 - Where to Find Kendra Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] Resources Thank you for watching this video and checking out the channel. My practice is rooted in my spiritual background of Sikhism and Buddhism and ancestral roots in Panjab, India - this informs my desire to teach yoga authentically as a spiritual practice. To learn more, please find all of our resources below. Online ⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga] Liberating Yoga Book ⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/book ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/book ] Work With Me ⁠⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] #yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration

Re-Centering Yoga’s Philosophy | Dr. Shyam Ranganathan

Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Dr. Shyam Ranganathan. While mainstream American culture limits yoga to a mere fitness class or a “woo-woo” spiritual endeavor that belongs at home, it began as a philosophical commitment toward ethical action and sovereignty. In this episode of the Liberating Yoga Podcast, host Harpinder Kaur Mann is in conversation with Scholar and Historian of Philosophy, Dr. Shyam Ranganathan. Together, they dive deep into the ways yoga’s current definitions have been shaped by Western colonization and how we can reclaim the practice today to fight racism and colonialism. 00:00 - Intro 02:19 - What Is Yoga? 03:59 - Yoga as Unity of Self 06:21 - Yoga vs. Fitness 07:22 - Colonialism’s Impact 13:27 - Internalized Colonialism 16:57 - Race, Religion, and History 19:33 - Pre-Colonial Philosophy 23:15 - Ethics & Dharma 26:54 - What Is Pre-Colonial Yoga? 28:14 - Yoga’s Ethical Model 30:42 - Modern Yoga & Colonization 33:26 - Yoga as Decolonial Practice 35:49 - Yoga Studies & White Supremacy 41:01 - Yoga Heals Colonial Trauma 44:43 - Egotism & Power Structures 47:27 - Yoga as Political Action 50:11 - Tokenism in Yoga 55:12 - Diversity vs. Change 57:38 - Lifelong Learning 1:02:05 - Why Only Āsana? 1:05:42 - Big Y vs. Small y Yoga 1:08:09 - Philosophy vs. Industry 1:12:00 - Teaching vs. Selling 1:14:23 - Embracing Change 1:15:06 - Where to Learn More Find Dr. Shyam Ranganathan Online ⁠https://yogaphilosophy.com/ [https://www.tejalyoga.com] Subscribe ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] Resources Thank you for watching this video and checking out the channel. My practice is rooted in my spiritual background of Sikhism and Buddhism and ancestral roots in Panjab, India - this informs my desire to teach yoga authentically as a spiritual practice. To learn more, please find all of our resources below. Online ⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com] ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ] ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ] ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga] Liberating Yoga Book ⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/book ⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/book ] Work With Me ⁠⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me⁠⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] #yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration

Creating Braver Yoga Spaces | Tejal Patel

Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Tejal Patel. In a sea of yoga spaces that often feel exclusionary, I find myself asking: What does it really take to create an environment that reflects yoga’s deeper purpose—collective liberation and peace? Tejal is the founder of Tejal Yoga, and in this conversation, we explore what it means to build yoga spaces rooted in community, cultural humility, accountability, and justice. 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Speaking on Gaza 02:20 - Meet Tejal Patel 04:00 - Yoga and Peace 06:45 - Meditation as Listening 10:51 - Student vs. Teacher Role 14:51 - Challenging Assumptions 18:32 - Harm in Modern Yoga 22:50 - Love & Light Culture 27:20 - Yoga and Collectivism 33:58 - Intentional Communities 37:46 - More Work to Do 42:47 - Inclusive Yoga Spaces 47:05 - Building Brave Spaces 52:04 - Addressing Harm 57:07 - Trust Through Honesty 1:03:16 - Returning Through Yoga 1:06:18 - Closing Thoughts Find Tejal Online https://www.tejalyoga.com [https://www.tejalyoga.com] Subscribe ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] Resources Thank you for watching this video and checking out the channel. My practice is rooted in my spiritual background of Sikhism and Buddhism and ancestral roots in Panjab, India - this informs my desire to teach yoga authentically as a spiritual practice. To learn more, please find all of our resources below. Online ⁠https://www.harpindermann.com⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com] ⁠https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga ] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder ] ⁠https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyoga] Liberating Yoga Book ⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/book ⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/book ] Work With Me ⁠https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me⁠ [https://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me] #yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration