Yoga for freedom

Explore how yoga is a path to sovereignty created from within

My favorite yoga sweatshirt says “Yoga is sovereignty.”

The exact one isn’t available anymore, but there is amazing yoga gear still available at: https://yogachangemaker.me/

The sweatshirt is a reminder that yoga is a path to freedom. Real freedom. The kind you create from within and the kind that cannot be taken from you.

It’s not an illusion or a promise from some controller or external system.

Instead, through your breath, movement, awareness, and reflection, you create a connection to truth and power.

You practice swaraj, self rule.

You don’t outsource your power.

You reclaim it.

As Susanna Barkataki has shared this practice is political.

Yoga brings forth an inner knowing. We drop in, we listen, we connect, and there we feel ancient truths rise from within us.

We allow our existence to be wild and ungovernable. Just like one of my teachers (@cameojames) shared, we need more ungovernable, wild beings in this world.

As you celebrate freedom this week, remember to reclaim that freedom not just accept it.

This week paid subscribers receive three videos with practices to reclaim their freedom.

• 20 minute guided meditation to sense freedom in the body

• 13 minute guided foundational breathwork to unleash your wild heart

• 25 minute guided flow to soar towards bravery

5 Ways I Practiced Yoga Last Week

1. Dharana (concentration): I’ve been focusing on creating a home and being patient that not every project happen at the same time.

2. Satya (truthfulness): This post and my social posts this week focused on sharing a that freedom is something that comes from within us. It is not the illusion of freedom governments attempt to grant you.

3. Tapas (self-discipline): Today, I’ll lock in 30 weeks of lifting at least 3x per week!

4. Pranayama (breath control): Like most weeks, this is my favorite tool. It helped me manage reactions and learn more about myself this week.

5. Asana (movement): Yin postures felt the best this week. Yin involves holding a posture for 2-5 minutes before moving to the next. This style practice is restorative and heart-warming.

5 Ways You Can Practice Yoga This Week

1. Dharana (concentration): Gaze out in front of you. Find something that isn’t moving. Breath slowly as you maintain your visual focus for 1-2 minutes. Pair this focus practice with your asana practice.

2. Satya (truthfulness): Remember your truth doesn’t have to be the same as someone else’s, but harm is not freedom.

3. Tapas (self-discipline): Choose to commit to yourself. That could be daily walks, more sleep, journaling, workouts, or other practices that might not generate money or feel productive. Embrace your freedom to guide yourself wherever you heart desires.

4. Pranayama (breath control): Return to HeartMath breathing!

5. Asana (movement): Practice your primal squats, horse or goddess pose, and balancing on one leg. Stomp your feet, open your throat, and make some noise. Freedom isn’t silent.