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$54.00 History of Kundalini

A Brief History of Kundalini yoga: Subversion Assimilation and Repression

Ever wondered why some Kundalini yogis wear white and grow out their hair while others wear burgundy and shave their heads? What is a Kundalini anyway, and why do some consider it dangerous? Why are so many schools of yoga led by men? What is up with all the scandals in the yoga community? Why is the word Tantra associated with sex? This course can help.

The history of kundalini yoga and yoga itself is tied not just to philosophical and religious movements in the Indian Subcontinent - it is also inextricably linked to sociopolitical and historical events. In this course, we will look at the dominance of certain philosophies within the Hindu subcontinent and chart how the practice of yoga and kundalini yoga has evolved in concert. We will pay attention to historical forces and their impact on the practice and spread of yogic tradition.

This survey course is thought-provoking for existing teachers and a wonderful introduction for students curious about the history of yoga.

Part I

In part one, we will look at some basic definitions and chart the schools of Hinduism. Starting with the feminist indigenous pre-Vedic roots of yoga, we will survey the Aryan invasion, Brahminism, the caste system, Buddhism, Jainism, Sant Mat, and the Bhakti movement interaction with yoga.

Part II

Diving deeper into history, we will examine the interplay of waves of colonialism with the vilification and elevation of certain yogic traditions. We will look at the impact of the Victorian mindset and the influence of the 19th-century theosophists on the popularity and export of yoga beyond the Indian subcontinent.

Part III

We will discuss how yoga and Hindu philosophy absorbed and evolved in tandem with new age movements of the West through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. We will examine the industrialization and branding of yoga, the cult of personality, and hippie new age movements. We will conclude with a survey of the prevailing schools of Kundalini yoga and touch upon the #MeToo movement's repercussions on the practice.

Manju Sadarangani

Manju's yoga practice is grounded in a desire for equity, justice, emotional and mental well-being. She brings her spirit of play, body positivity and radical self-love to her Kundalini & Nidra classes. 

Born in India to a yoga teacher mother, Manju is committed to authenticity in the studio. A Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, she connects deeply with the feminist, spiritual and historical foundations of yoga to counter problematic cultural appropriation. She relishes creating a safe space for all using breathe, color, naad, and mantras in her classes.

Manju invites you to consider yoga as a tool to recharge, resist and rebel.