Liberating Yoga
Welcome to the Liberating Yoga podcast. A space to explore yoga as a practice and path of healing, resistance, and deep connection.
If yoga is a rich body of experiential knowledge rooted in South Asia, how did we end up with a mainstream yoga culture in the United States focused on promoting physical fitness and selling polyester “yoga pants” with pockets?
Join Harpinder Kaur Mann, Punjabi Yoga Asana, Pranayama, & Meditation Teacher, on a journey of yoga’s history, philosophy, and contemporary culture to uncover its true nature as a path toward deep self-inquiry and collective liberation.
Latest episodes
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
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 ChangeSubscribehttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1ResourcesThank 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
Jun 10, 2025 • 2h 5min
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 - Intro05:01 - 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 Subscribehttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1ResourcesThank 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 22min
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/events00:00 - Intro02:06 - Meet Kendra Coupland02:40 - What Yoga Means to Kendra06:17 - Embodiment of Divinity09:11 - Spiritual Bypassing in Yoga12:15 - Yoga and Suffering16:16 - Trauma & Yoga Spaces19:00 - Individualised Practice22:02 - Kendra's Teaching Style25:07 - Limits of the Practice28:42 - Daily Practice Matters33:26 - Emotional Regulation36:09 - Embodying Oneness41:17 - Practices to Decondition45:16 - Seeing the Interconnectedness50:27 - Ancestors & Awareness54:26 - Honoring Lineage57:26 - Yoga & Disconnection59:59 - Entry Points Into Yoga1:02:02 - Equanimity & Observation1:06:03 - Awareness vs. Ignorance1:08:15 - Yoga & Cult-like Trends1:12:30 - Teacher vs. Student First1:16:36 - Warrior Heart Practice1:18:10 - Disrupting Thought Patterns1:20:28 - Where to Find KendraSubscribehttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1ResourcesThank 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
May 26, 2025 • 1h 16min
Re-Centering Yoga’s Philosophy | Dr. Shyam Ranganathan
Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, a scholar and historian specializing in yoga's philosophical roots, dives into the transformation of yoga under Western colonization. He critiques how modern practices often reduce yoga to mere fitness, losing its ethical and spiritual essence. The discussion tackles the connections between race and identity within yoga communities, urging a reclamation of its original principles to combat racism. Highlighting the need for diversity that fosters genuine change, Ranganathan advocates for yoga as a tool for political action and healing colonial trauma.
May 19, 2025 • 1h 11min
Creating Braver Yoga Spaces | Tejal Patel
Tejal Patel, founder of Tejal Yoga, champions the creation of inclusive yoga spaces focused on community and justice. She passionately discusses the importance of cultural humility and accountability, emphasizing how yoga can foster peace and empathy. Tejal highlights the challenges of navigating traditional views in modern yoga, advocating for deeper inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. She envisions yoga as a transformative practice that promotes connection, reflection, and authenticity, urging communities to engage actively in social justice.
May 12, 2025 • 1h 15min
Embodying Yogic Activism | Reggie Hubbard
Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. My guest today is Reggie Hubbard.Reggie is the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace LLC. His yogic and meditative practices have served as a sanctuary of peace and perspective while navigating the stresses of being a black man in the world and serving in pressure-filled jobs at the height of US politics. His practices have also helped him navigate complicated emotions (anger, grief, disappointment) to find and nurture peace of mind and ease of spirit, which is why he now seeks to share them widely for the well-being of all. He has extensively studied with leading teachers such as Faith Hunter, Amy Ippoliti, Yogarupa Rod Stryker and Sri Dharma Mittra and countless other amazing teachers he has encountered along the way – always remembering that the best teacher is an eternal student. He is a graduate of the 2023 MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program) cohort, led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Find Reggiehttps://activepeaceyoga.comhttps://www.instagram.com/oreggieglobal00:00 - Intro02:54 - Yoga & Activism05:05 - Burnout & Awakening08:11 - Starting the Path10:55 - Merging Practice & Politics14:54 - Healing Retreat for Black Men17:14 - Refuge, Not Retreat20:25 - Representation Matters22:09 - Why Black-Only Spaces24:07 - Community Healing26:06 - Listening to the Call30:06 - Teaching with Compassion34:02 - Listen with the Heart36:26 - Identity & Teaching41:10 - Teaching Philosophy44:03 - Collective Healing47:02 - Healing Through Grief51:03 - Wisdom in Community54:33 - Radical Self-Love57:44 - From Despair to Action1:01:02 - Generational Burnout1:05:00 - Rest in Retreat1:08:59 - Fast Connection1:13:00 - Gong Meditation & CloseSubscribehttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1ResourcesThank 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
May 5, 2025 • 1h 13min
Understanding Yoga Exclusion, Fatphobia + Racial Trauma | Leah Saliter
Leah Saliter, a Death Doula and certified Yoga instructor, advocates for healing within Black and Brown bodies through accessible yoga practices. She discusses the damaging effects of fatphobia and racial trauma in wellness spaces, emphasizing the need for community and safety. Leah critiques the commercialization of yoga, calling for a return to its liberating roots. She shares insights on self-acceptance, the importance of practicing kindness toward oneself, and the transformative power of inclusive spaces for personal growth.
May 5, 2025 • 1h 13min
Yoga vs. Commercialization: Can We Reclaim It? | Susanna Barkataki
Susanna Barkataki, a Yoga Teacher and Social Justice Advocate, dives deep into the commercialization of yoga and its implications. She discusses the journey of reclaiming yoga’s roots, emphasizing the importance of decolonization and inclusivity. The conversation navigates through issues of cultural appropriation, the harmful norms dominating modern practice, and the responsibility of teachers to respect yoga’s heritage. Susanna advocates for community solidarity over competition, urging practitioners to engage with yoga's authentic history for a more meaningful experience.
May 5, 2025 • 1h 38min
Reconnecting to the Traditional Yogic Ecosystem | Prasad Rangnekar
Welcome to the Liberating Yoga Podcast. In this first episode, I'm in conversation with Yoga & Resilience Educator Prasad Rangnekar.In this episode, we discuss yoga’s many definitions and margas while unpacking all that is lost in a society that narrows its abundance down to a commercialised brand of asana. We also explore the differences between traditional yoga and the version that is popular today, and why the commodification of yoga strips its rich ecosystem of vital history, ethical frameworks, and cultural roots. 00:00 - Intro01:31 - Meeting Prasad Rangnekar05:01 - Yoga as a Life Skill 07:00 - Traditional Goals of Yoga10:00 - Beyond Asana: Acknowledging Yoga’s Full Scope13:00 - Cultural Roots of Yoga 16:00 - The Complexity of Yoga’s History 20:27 - You Don’t Have to Know Everything24:00 - Problem of Overconsumption in Yoga Education27:48 - Traditional vs. Popular Yoga: Key Differences36:08 - Responsibilities of Practitioners40:25 - Lack of History & Philosophy in Modern Yoga 43:07 - Vastness of Yogic History 47:02 - The Eight Limbs Are Not the Whole of Yoga51:01 - What Makes a Sincere Yoga Student or Teacher?54:04 - Performing Yoga vs. Living Yoga56:56 - Different Margas (Paths) of Yoga & Their Relevance01:03:04 - Raja Yoga: Symbolism and Mental Refinement01:07:05 - Refinement of the Mind 01:12:10 - Letting Go & The Path to Freedom01:17:05 - Uncovering the Self Through Shedding Layers01:20:02 - Importance of Critical Thinking 01:27:04 - Reconciling Science and Spirituality in Yoga01:33:05 - Yoga Sutra: Beyond Yama and Niyama01:37:27 - OutroSubscribehttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyoga?sub_confirmation=1ResourcesThank 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
Apr 9, 2025 • 50sec
Welcome to Liberating Yoga with Harpinder Kaur Mann
Welcome to the Liberating Yoga podcast. A space to explore yoga as a practice and path of healing, resistance, and deep connection.I'm Harpinder Kaur Mann, a yoga educator, writer, and seeker, here to dive into the roots of yoga, dismantle appropriation, and uplift practices that honor collective liberation while making yoga accessible.These conversations were recorded two years ago as part of my research and interviews for my upcoming book, Liberating Yoga: From Appropriation to Healing.Now, I'm sharing them with you - unedited and in full. This is Liberating Yoga - where we honor yoga's past and shape its future.ResourcesThank you for checking out this episode of Liberating Yoga, 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. Onlinehttps://www.harpindermann.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@harpindermannyogahttps://www.facebook.com/harpindermannyoga https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannharpinder https://www.instagram.com/harpindermannyogaLiberating Yoga Bookhttps://www.harpindermann.com/book Work With Mehttps://www.harpindermann.com/work-with-me#yoga #yogapractice #yogainspiration
