Modern Yoga & The Legacy of Colonization

Modern yoga, as it exists today, is profoundly shaped by British colonization of India. Many of the most influential lineages trace their roots back to Krishnamacharya, a teacher who lived and taught under colonial rule. This on-demand course critically examines how colonization fractured indigenous traditions and reshaped yoga through systemic disruption.

Using a structured framework, the course explores how colonization:

• Divides and disrupts communities
• Imposes new languages, silencing native voices
• Introduces Christian ideals—particularly around morality—that influence yoga’s evolution
• Exploits existing hierarchies and systems of power
• Manipulates and restricts access to cultural and spiritual resources

You’ll also dive into the transformation of yoga from a predominantly spiritual discipline to one centered on physical postures (asana), and how this shift reflects the influence of colonial forces.

This offering is lecture-based, featuring recorded discussions and Q&A sessions. No asana is included. The course is available online, on demand, and can be accessed at your convenience using the login you registered.