Shanna Small is a a yoga educator who speaks to the intersectionality of Yoga and social justice. She has practiced Ashtanga Yoga and studied the Yoga Sutras since 2001. She has studied in Ashtanga in Mysore with Sharath Jois. Shanna studied Sanskrit, the Yoga Sutras and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika with Laksmish in Mysore, India.
She does Vedic studies, including the Gita, w/ Kaya Mindlin.
Shanna’s finds joy in making yoga accessible for all. She studied with Amber Karnes and Dianne Bondy and is Yoga For All certified. She is a contributor for Yoga International, OmStars, and Embodied Philosophy. You can also find her at Sacred Vitality, her own online Yoga platform.
She teaches diversity and inclusivity, Yoga Sutras as well as accessibility trainings and workshops. She is a founding member of Yoga For Recovery Foundation, a non-profit that helps those recovering from addiction, trauma and systemic oppression. Shanna is also certified in the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method by Nityada Gessel.
Accessible yoga is not about making the practice easier or less challenging. It is about creating a space where individuals of all abilities can participate in and benefit from yoga, regardless of their physical, mental, financial, or emotional needs. It acknowledges that everyone's journey is unique, and the practice should be adapted and tailored to meet individuals where they are.
While asana (physical postures) is a well-known aspect of yoga, it is just one part of a broader system that encompasses various practices and wisdom teachings. Yoga is a holistic discipline that aims to bring harmony and balance to all aspects of life, including the mind, body, and spirit.
The teachings of yoga encompass a wide range of philosophical concepts, ethical guidelines, meditation practices, breath control techniques (pranayama), concentration exercises, and more. These elements collectively work towards calming the mind, cultivating self-awareness, and fostering inner stillness.
The wisdom teachings of yoga, such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, provide guidance on living a meaningful and purposeful life. They explore concepts like mindfulness, self-reflection, self-discipline, compassion, and the nature of the mind. By studying and applying these teachings, individuals can gain insights that extend far beyond the physical practice of yoga postures.
The intersection of yoga and social justice acknowledges that the practice of yoga goes beyond individual well-being and can be a catalyst for positive change in society. It recognizes the interconnectedness of individuals and communities and seeks to address the systemic issues of injustice, inequality, and oppression.