The Shala Daily

YOGA • PHILOSOPHY • LIFE

June 29, 2026
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Dismantling Authoritarianism with Ashtanga Yoga: Power, Practice, Justice

In this video, we unbox the concept of decolonizing your yoga practice by removing authoritarianism and emphasizing self-study.

🕉️ KEY CONCEPTS

saṅgha
Community; spiritual fellowship
sevā
Selfless service to others
dharma
Right action; moral duty
ahiṃsā
Non-harming; compassion for all beings

In this video, we unbox the concept of decolonizing your yoga practice by removing authoritarianism and emphasizing self-study. This episode covers the cultural context of Ashtanga Yoga, the impact of colonialism and capitalism in shaping Western yoga practices, and the need for open-source teaching. Michael discusses historical gender biases, the guru-student power dynamic, and the issues of gatekeeping and groupthink in yoga communities. Learn about the importance of making yoga accessible and fostering community-centered approaches while balancing tradition with the evolution of Ashtanga Yoga. Discover how decommodification and recognizing inner intelligence can lead to true liberation in your practice.

From Video: Dismantling Authoritarianism with Ashtanga Yoga: Power, Practice, Justice on michaeljoelhall.com

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"In this video, we unbox the concept of decolonizing your yoga practice by removing authoritarianism and emphasizing self-study. This episode covers the cultural context of Ashtanga Yoga, the impact of colonialism and capitalism in shaping Western yoga practices, and the need for open-source teaching."

— MJH

In this video, we unbox the concept of decolonizing your yoga practice by removing authoritarianism and emphasizing self-study.

— MJH
Original Article: "Video: Dismantling Authoritarianism with Ashtanga Yoga: Power, Practice, Justice" by Michael Joel Hall, michaeljoelhall.com

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