The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a seminal text in yogic philosophy, composed of 196 aphorisms that guide the reader through the principles and practices of yoga. The text synthesizes various traditions, including Samkhya, Abhidharma Buddhism, and ancient ascetic practices. It describes the eight limbs of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi) as the means to achieve a state of consciousness free from active or discursive thought, leading to liberation from material suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The sutras emphasize the distinction between Purusha (the Self) and Prakriti (non-self, matter), and the practice of samyama (concentration, meditation, and contemplation) to attain higher consciousness and ultimate freedom[1][3][5].
The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].
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/
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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.
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