40. Cultural appropriation in the yoga industry with Prageeth Jayathissa
Release Date: 11/12/2024
40. Cultural appropriation in the yoga industry with Prageeth Jayathissa
ĀIO: a road to peace
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,...
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39. Attune your voice; finding your true note with sound alchemist Chloe Crouch.
ĀIO: a road to peace
The voice is one of our greatest instruments, the source of our truth and the vessel through which we communicate with the world. How we interact with our voice has a powerful ripple effect in our lives. Attuning to our true note can offer us courage, confidence, and strength as we walk through this world. Today, we are joined by Chloe Crouch, a sound alchemist and vocal coach. Chloe was traditionally trained as a singer and plays multiple instruments. She guides people on potent sound journeys and sings from the depths of her soul. Chloe shares her journey of losing her partner and allowing...
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38. Aromatic Medicine: The only medicine you can apply directly to the brain with Dr Bo Hendgen
ĀIO: a road to peace
Join us as we explore the vast and glorious world of Aromatic Medicine. Essential oils have been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, medicinal settings, and beauty therapy. They are powerful plant extracts that can directly access your brain! Essential oils can sometimes get a bad wrap, labeled as ‘woo woo’ and alternative - in this episode you’ll learn how essential oils are far more than just ‘pretty smells’ but can be used to treat illness and disease. We are joined by Bo Hendgen, a Doctor of Osteopathy and a Naturopathic Physician with 42 years of experience. She...
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37. Hapu Wānanga; Māori Birthing Practices with Tawera Trinder
ĀIO: a road to peace
Today we are exploring Māori birthing practices, we are joined by Tawera Trinder a Māori midwife who works with whānau Māori alongside their pregnancy journey. Tawera and her team of wāhine deliver kaupapa Māori antenatal education wānanga, that is enriched with tikanga practices and principles. The kaupapa within the wānanga are delivered, and seen through a te ao Māori lens, in addition to the sensitive and articulate delivery of clinical and midwifery content. This is a powerfulful lens into the Māori worldview, highlighting the nurturing and spiritual dimensions of the...
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36. Magic mushrooms to expand consciousness and integrate trauma - with indigenous plant medicine guide, Raquel Minh
ĀIO: a road to peace
In this insightful episode we explore the energetics of magic mushrooms and how psilocybin can support the integration of trauma. Magic mushrooms can be a powerful support for rewiring our subconscious mind and expanding past our limiting beliefs. We are joined by Raquel Minh, a trauma-informed facilitator, plant medicine guide, yoga teacher, and studio owner. She shares from her lived experience in the psychedelic realm and from learned traditions of curanderismo (healing) and yoga. With a focus on education and harm reduction, she's an advocate for psychedelic mushrooms to support...
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35. The Psychospiritual Effect of a Women’s Inner Seasons: a Journey into Menstrual Cycle Awareness with Charlotte Friedrich
ĀIO: a road to peace
Unlock the power of menstrual cycle awareness in this enlightening episode as we explore the four seasons of a woman's inner seasons —spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Discover how understanding these phases can enhance your well-being, intuition, self awareness and self compassion. Whether you're looking to deepen your connection with your body or seeking practical tools for aligning your life with your menstrual cycle, this episode is packed with empowering insights to help you embrace your innate feminine wisdom. We are joined by Charlotte, a Cyclical Wellbeing practitioner, certified...
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34. Being a Conduit for Deep Healing. An Indigenous Perspective: with Chelita Zainey.
ĀIO: a road to peace
This week's episode is full power. We are joined by Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey (Waitaha; Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Kahu; Ngāti Haua; Ngāti Ruanui; Lebanese; Scottish; Irish) Through the reclamation of her whakapapa and ancestral gifts, Chelita is an established practitioner of the Māori Healing Arts including Mirimiri, Rongoā Māori, Hau Tapu Breathwork, Matakite, and Taonga Pūoro. She works as a conduit and channel for Ngā Mareikura o Waitaha – the Grandmothers of the Waitaha Nation. Chelita has been a practitioner, Teacher, Guide, and Mentor for over a decade. Chelita is a Certified...
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34. Astrology: Creating Music with the Rhythm and Pulse of the Stars with Karen Hunter
ĀIO: a road to peace
In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the mystical world of astrology, exploring the profound connections between celestial bodies and our personal journeys. We uncover how planetary alignment influences our lives, guiding us toward self-inquiry and introspection. Today we are joined by Kāren Hunter, a multifaceted woman. She weaves music, astrology and tarot into her offerings, with the intention of contributing to the awakening of humanity. She offers one on one readings, group workshops, festival performances, shamanic sound journeys and facilitates ceremonies. This...
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33. Astrology: How to transform your darkness into light with Anoushka Van Rijn
ĀIO: a road to peace
Dive into the mystical world of astrology, where the stars and planets hold the keys to radical self enquiry and acceptance. In this episode, we'll unravel the ancient wisdom of the twelve astrological zodiac signs, explore the profound impact of celestial alignments, and discover how our north and south nodes can illuminate our paths with clarity and purpose. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or a curious newcomer, this is the perfect 101 Astrology episode to satisfy your curiosity and expand your cosmic knowledge. Today we are joined by Anoushka Van Rijn, an astrologer, tarot...
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32. Self Love, Sisterhood and Cultivating Contentment in your single season with Kayla Anderson
ĀIO: a road to peace
This ones for my honeys who are working to cultivate a delicious relationship with their inner worlds. Self love you say? Sure it’s a hype word at the moment and rightly so - this world needs more people deeply loving and honoring themselves. Gone are the days where this feels selfish. There is so much pain and suffering in the world, sometimes we feel helpless, the work we do internally absolutely contributes to the collective consciousness of this planet. Heal ourselves and we can heal the world. We are joined today by Kayla Anderson, she is a self-love guide, helping you to cultivate a...
info_outlineToday 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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