Namaste, yogis! Welcome to Sounding Off, a series of short critical essays and creative works about the use of Sanskrit in modern postural yoga classes. Over the next eight weeks, we will explore the social, religious, and political contexts of the Sanskrit language, working forward through South Asian history to develop a critical understanding of Sanskrit’s role in modern yoga settings.

          Each part in this series engages with a larger debate taking place in the yoga community, and each week, I attempt to look at both (or all three) sides. I tackle big questions surrounding colonialism, commodification, casteism, cultural appropriation, and “Conspirituality” (conspiracy + spirituality) in contemporary yoga through one simple question:

Should we really be speaking Sanskrit in our yoga classes?

          Many modern yoga teachers don’t speak Sanskrit – not because they have a thoughtful reason for not doing so, but simply because they don’t know much about yoga beyond the āsanas. I’m here to change that! There are plenty of reasons why you might choose to speak (or choose to NOT speak!) Sanskrit in your classes. I hope that after these eight weeks, you’ll be able to make an informed decision for yourself.

          New content will be released weekly – check back every Wednesday and SUBSCRIBE for brand new informational essays, inspirational stories, actionable tips, and resources for further learning. My goal is to democratize yoga through jñāna (knowledge), one article at a time.

          I look forward to this journey with you!