Today I am joined by Prageeth Jayathissa, we unravel the tangled web of cultural appropriation woven through the modern yoga industry. From the colonial roots of yogic practices to the commodification of sacred symbols and the misrepresentation of feminine deities, we hold nothing back. We dive into how capitalism distorts ancient teachings, the unsettling rise of "light supremacy," and why the chakra system you think you know might be more Jungian than yogic. How do we respect yogic roots, serve the community, and still keep the lights on? Join us as we dive into the heart of a powerful, uncomfortable conversation about honoring yoga's essence, not just its aesthetics.
Prageeth Jayathissa stems from Sri Lankan origins, but bred in Aotearoa. He fuses his teaching from his grandparents, with ancient scripture, and modern philosophy, to revive and reinvigorate a timeless tradition. He works in sustainability and climate change by day, and explores its integration with yoga by night.
Prageeth wrote a flow chart book around this topic and we reference this as our guide throughout the podcast.
This episode is not intended to point fingers or to conjure blame or shame, it is purely to bring light to parts of this practice that is asking for collective healing. This discussion is not asking you to stop engaging with yoga, it's asking us to look at our blind spots, to continue our education within this realm and to honour this ancient tradition on and off the mat.
What we cover:
The colonisation story of the Indian subcontinent.
Understanding the cultural history of yogic tradition
Woman in yoga
The chakra system we know today is based on Carl Jung's work.
The cultural appropriation of feminine deities.
Please stop calling your sacred sexuality workshops "Tantra"
Light supremacy
Capitalism and yoga
How can we be off service and still pay our rent?
Mindfulness around yoga clothing
Socials:
AIO
instagram | @aio.thepodcast
tik tok | @aio.thepodcast
TARIKURA
instagram | @tarikura_
Download Prageeth's Flow Chart for free here -
https://jayathissa.yoga/book/moral%20flowcharts%20for%20modern%20yoga.pdf
Book Resources mentioned by Prageeth for continued learning:
Tantra illuminated:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15731041-tantra-illuminated
Inglorious empire: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/307759/inglorious-empire-by-tharoor-shashi/9780141987149
Resources mentioned by Tarikura in the intro:
Cacao Emissary Training
https://www.thecacaoambassador.com/cacao-emissaries
Chelita Zainey - Māori healer
https://www.chelitazainey.com/offerings/
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