Episode 24: Racism and Cultural Appropriation in Science

Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel is joined by her friend and colleague, Jesal Parikh. Together, Laurel and Jesal discuss the topics of cultural appropriation, biodiversity, and accessibility. Jesal offers clear examples and anecdotes to help listeners relate to and understand these topics within the context of everyday practice and teaching. She offers simple, actionable tips to yoga teachers to help them bring a greater sensitivity and understanding of these topics directly into their teaching. Laurel and Jesal discuss:

• That cultural appropriation is a form of theft and commodification.
• How cultural appropriation shows up in the yoga community.
• The difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.
• Why cultural context and Yoga’s roots matter when “thinking critically” about Yoga.
• The effect of culture, genetics, and many other environmental factors on our “signature of movement”, or, the way each of us as individuals moves differently.
• How accessibility is different from adaptability when we take into account how social issues (not just biological issues) affect who can and cannot participate in a Yoga class.
• What connects cultural appropriation, biodiversity, and accessibility.
• Science’s tendency to discredit indigenous practices, rename them, and take “scientific” credit for them.
• Tips for teachers who want to honor Yoga’s roots, make space for biodiversity, and make their classes more accessible.

Guest Bio:

Jesal Parikh is an Indian-American yoga teacher, movement educator, podcaster, author and disrupter working on creative solutions for equity in Yoga. She co-hosts the Yoga is Dead podcast and offers movement education through the lens of social justice.

Jesal’s aim is to uplift those who are feeling isolated and marginalized by the yoga industry. Pronouns: she/her/they/them.

Reference links:

Visit Jesal’s website

Devdutt Pattanaik TED Talk East Vs. West, The Myths That Mystify

Hips Tutorial link: https://movementlogictutorials.com/movement-logic/hips-tutorial/

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Watch the video of this conversation at: www.movementlogictutorials.com/podcast

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Thanks for listening!