Veganism: It's Personal
This course will explore where contemporary Veganism and timeless Yoga meet. Veganism is the ethical standpoint that rejects the exploitation of sentient beings. Because identifying as vegan is not the norm, adopting this stance often significantly changes how one acts as a consumer in society (diet, clothing, entertainment, etc). Yoga is a basic ethical theory that asks what it means to be a person and what is required for a person to thrive.
We will see how practicing, and at least understanding, Yoga supports Veganism. We will also see that if we choose to identify in society as a vegan, it is our responsibility to engage with ethics in an ongoing way. This may mean that we don’t identify as a vegan, but it is because we have a sound understanding of our ethical choices and have simply expanded beyond the title. We will raise such questions as:
What is Veganism?
What is Yoga?
What is personhood? Who is included in this category?
What does a person—a sentient being—need in order to thrive?
What is my personal ethical stance?
Is Veganism political—a matter of social justice? What about Yoga?
How will aligning my morals with my actions change my life?
What makes something a “personal” choice?
Can I really make a difference?
While the bulk of this course will be discussion based, we will also take time to address the practical aspects of adopting Veganism. In this process, we will acknowledge our current psychological standing—both individually and culturally. In addition, whether our aim is to choose Yoga or only to understand it, we will recognize that it is only possible by better appreciating these Southeast Asian philosophical contributions.
Immense gratitude to Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, MA, MA, PhD, of Yoga Philosophy, who is a field-changing researcher, scholar, author and teacher of philosophy, and an expert in the neglected traditions of Indian moral philosophy, which covers practical questions of how to live, what to aim for, and what we should value—including Yoga.
No prior Yoga study necessary.
This course is guided by Julia.
10 Yalla Yoga School credits.
Each class will include:
Theory
Discussion
Practice
Details:
Four 60-minute sessions
Direct access to me via email to ask questions
Private Facebook Group dedicated to Yalla Yoga students
