Yoga and Somatic Practices: Global Roots and the Impact of Colonization

Yoga and Somatic Practices: Global Roots and the Impact of Colonization

Somatic practices—rooted in body awareness and healing—emerge from diverse global traditions. These traditions, including yoga, Qi Gong, and Indigenous rituals, focus on the relationship between physical embodiment, emotional regulation, and spiritual connection. However, colonization has often disrupted these practices, stripping them of their cultural contexts and repackaging them as modern Western innovations. This article explores the global roots of somatic practices, the impact of colonization on these traditions, and the importance of honoring their original cultural frameworks.

Global Roots of Somatic Practices

Somatic traditions span cultures, each with unique approaches to embodied healing.

  1. Yoga (South Asia): Yoga, developed over 5,000 years ago, emphasizes breath control, mindful movement, and meditative awareness. It connects the physical and spiritual realms, cultivating self-regulation and well-being. Despite its ancient origins, yoga in the West is often reduced to asanas (physical poses), sidelining its deeper philosophical and cultural dimensions【1】【2】.

  2. Qi Gong and Tai Chi (China): These movement-based practices integrate breath and mindfulness, focusing on the flow of "Qi" (life force). Both systems emphasize balancing energy and enhancing body awareness, aligning with somatic principles【3】【4】.

  3. Indigenous Practices (Global): Indigenous rituals, such as drumming, dancing, and chanting, foster embodied connection with nature, community, and spirit. These practices, integral to many Indigenous cultures, are deeply somatic, often aiming to heal trauma or facilitate spiritual awakening【5】【6】.

  4. Capoeira (African Diaspora): This Afro-Brazilian martial art combines movement, rhythm, and social interaction. Capoeira emphasizes embodied resilience and connection, resonating with the principles of somatic healing【7】.

Colonization's Impact on Somatic Traditions

Colonization disrupted and marginalized many of these practices:

  • Erasure and Suppression: Colonizing forces often suppressed Indigenous and non-Western healing systems. For instance, the British colonizers in India dismissed yoga and Ayurveda as superstitious, relegating these systems to obscurity until their selective Western revival in the 20th century【2】【8】.

  • Commodification: Once appropriated, many traditions were stripped of their cultural roots. Yoga, for example, became a commercialized fitness regimen, often omitting its spiritual and philosophical aspects to cater to Western audiences【9】【10】.

  • Repackaging as Western Innovations: Western somatic frameworks often incorporate practices like mindfulness, yoga, or movement therapy but fail to acknowledge their roots. For example, MBSR programs draw heavily from Buddhist meditation while presenting it as a secular Western invention【11】.

Decolonizing Somatic Practices

Decolonization involves acknowledging the origins of somatic traditions and ensuring their cultural integrity. Key steps include:

  1. Honoring Lineages: Recognizing and crediting the traditions and communities that developed these practices fosters respect and authenticity.

  2. Restoring Context: Reintegrating spiritual, cultural, and philosophical elements ensures that practices like yoga are not reduced to physical exercises alone.

  3. Amplifying Voices: Elevating the voices of Indigenous and non-Western practitioners can challenge the dominance of Western narratives in somatics.

  4. Increasing Accessibility: Supporting Indigenous communities and practitioners in reclaiming and practicing their traditions is essential for healing historical inequities.

Somatic practices have deep roots in global healing traditions, yet colonization and commercialization have often obscured their origins. By acknowledging these histories and fostering a decolonized approach, modern practitioners can honor the cultural integrity of these traditions while benefiting from their transformative potential.

References

  1. Desikachar, T. K. V. (1999). The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice. Inner Traditions.

  2. Singleton, M. (2010). Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. Oxford University Press.

  3. Lee, M. S., et al. (2007). "Tai Chi for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

  4. Cohen, K. S. (1997). The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. Ballantine Books.

  5. Voss, E. (2015). Indigenous Somatics and Storytelling. Journal of Indigenous Well-Being.

  6. Battiste, M. (2013). Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit. UBC Press.

  7. Downey, G. (2005). Learning Capoeira: Lessons in Cunning from an Afro-Brazilian Art. Oxford University Press.

  8. Alter, J. S. (2004). Yoga in Modern India: The Body Between Science and Philosophy. Princeton University Press.

  9. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living. Delacorte Press.

  10. Galantino, M. L., et al. (2020). "Effectiveness of Somatic Yoga and Meditation: A Pilot Study in a Multicultural Cancer Survivor Population." International Journal of Yoga Therapy.

Alysia Makhani