YOGA DEBATES

The yoga community is not immune to the many challenges facing society at large. In recent years, Brighton Yoga Foundation has organised some very important debates and discussion panels on crucial issues facing the yoga community (one at each of the last few annual Brighton Yoga and Well-Being Festivals). In each case, the Foundation identified the issue and the speakers in addition to actually hosting the panel discussion. 

The Brighton Yoga Foundation is committed to addressing the controversial issues within the yoga community and seeks to provide a platform for progressive voices. We consider that all the panel discussions have all been helpful in developing critical thinking on the issues highlighted.

SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN MODERN Yoga

Amelia Wood, PhD Candidate SOAS University of London

This PodCourse will offer, and critique, definitions of “Spiritual Abuse”. There will be space to consider how such definitions relate, and are relevant, to the context of modern transnational yoga. The parameters of modern yoga will be defined and we will examine why it is important to understand instances and allegations of abuses of power in yoga communities as Spiritual Abuse – what does such a definition include and exclude?

SILENCED VOICES

In 2019, we organised a survivor-led panel discussing sexual abuse in the yoga community, called “Silenced Voices.” Participants included: Karen Rain & Jubilee Cooke (from the USA), Theo Wildcroft, Josna Pankhania & Jacqueline Hargreaves. The panel discussion is hosted on the Yoga International website and can be accessed for free to watch, though you'll need to create a free account to do so here:

BLACK LIVES MATTER & DIVERSITY IN YOGA

In 2020, we organised a discussion on “Black Lives Matter & Diversity in Yoga”. Participants included: Dianne Bondy, Jonelle Lewis, Kallie Schut, Amani Eke, Dirish Shaktidas and Twanna Doherty. 

The discussion can be viewed on our Vimeo account here

HOW CAN YOGA SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC?

 In 2021, we organised a discussion on “How Can Yoga Survive the Pandemic?”. Participants included: Norman Blair, Ruth Westoby, Mike Shaw, Simran Uppal, Lorraine Close and Theo Wildcroft. 

The discussion can be viewed on our Vimeo account here