015. Yoga & Social Activism

In episode 15, Jivana Heyman welcomes Hala Khouri, yoga teacher and co-founder of Off The Mat Into The World. Hala shares openly about how her own life and experiences led her to the work she does as an activist. She also gives insight into the beginnings of Off The Mat and how the organization came to be. In this conversation Jivana and Hala talk openly about how they are each navigating the political climate within yoga spaces. This conversations invites us all to reconnect the roots of yoga to social activism. In this episode we learn more about:   How parenting, politics and the pandemic are showing up in her life during these times How Hala came in activism and community organizing Hala’s story of leaving Lebanon as a child because of war How Off The Mat was created The importance of grassroots organizing How Hala came out with a strong stance against Q-Anon How individualism in wellness is holding space for right wing ideology in wellness communities How yoga has been disconnected from its historical roots of social justice and activism How to lean into to the connection between yoga, social justice and our individual action