Yoga's Crossroads: Navigating Appropriation vs. Appreciation with Georgie Edwards

In this episode, I delve into the complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation in the yoga space with Georgina Edwards, a yoga teacher, and teacher trainer. Georgie shares her personal journey of discovering yoga, exploring her Sri Lankan heritage, and becoming a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity in wellness spaces.We discuss the nuances of cultural appropriation, the importance of ongoing learning and self-reflection, and the power of community in creating a more welcoming and accessible yoga world.Join us as we challenge the status quo and explore how we can all contribute to a more conscious and inclusive yoga community.Key Takeaways:Cultural appropriation in yoga is a complex issue with no easy answers, requiring ongoing learning and self-reflection.Yoga teachers have a responsibility to uplift marginalized voices and create more diverse and inclusive spaces.Yoga is more than just the physical practice (asana); exploring other aspects like meditation, chanting, and self-inquiry can deepen one's understanding and appreciation.Episode Highlights:(02:41) Georgie's journey into yoga and exploring her Sri Lankan heritage.(09:54) The complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation in yoga.(18:57) The importance of being an eternal student and approaching yoga with humility and curiosity.(28:21) The need for compassion and understanding in navigating cultural appropriation.(36:22) How to respond when someone is triggered or upset in a yoga class.(40:32) Encouraging practitioners to explore different aspects of yoga beyond the physical practice.(44:24) Honoring the sacredness of yoga and moving away from commodification.(50:30) The evolving landscape of yoga and the importance of embodiment and intuition.(56:30) The importance of play and rest in yoga and activism.About the Guest:Instagram: @georgie.francescaEpisode Links:Trauma Talks program:https://compassionprisonproject.org/Book "Rest is Resistance" by Tricia Hersey:Charity All Our Relations:Connect with Megan:Instagram: @‌HigherLove_withMeganWebsite:www.higher-love.comPodcast Music:Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ⁠.This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!