critically rethinking yoga:
language, power + culture

i’m Roshni; i am a scholar of south asian history and sanskrit.

my work aims to unpack the intersection of yoga with power structures such as caste and gender through analysis and dialogue: inviting reflection, challenging assumptions, and exploring complexity.

i unequivocally support the fight for caste abolition and the dismantling of all oppressive systems. i aim to work from a place of humility, welcoming critique and feedback as integral to my growth. my knowledge and praxis are constantly evolving.

workshops

i offer workshops ranging from 2-hour sessions to full-day events. these spaces foster thoughtful and open exploration and learning, combining lecture, discussion and opportunities for self-reflection.

yoga teacher trainings

i collaborate with ytt providers to integrate my courses into their programs. i have taught as part of 200hr and 300hr trainings, offering critical insights into yoga’s historical, cultural and socio-political dimensions.

consulting + mentoring

i provide tailored educational sessions and consultations for companies, nonprofits, other civil society organisations and individuals. i offer 1:1 mentoring to support those looking to deepen their understanding.

upcoming events

you’re a sanskrit scholar but you don’t teach sanskrit? why not?

my work focusses on the impact of caste, power, and privilege within yoga, while i actively strive to debrahminise my own knowledge and practice.

a part of this journey to debrahminise my work has included an honest reflection on what it means to teach and spread the sanskrit language, a symbol of brahminical supremacy, a language that holds enormous trauma for caste-oppressed people.

i was raised in a caste-privileged gujarati hindu family and have studied sanskrit since i was a child; my consciousness was steeped in brahminical “values”. realising this in 2018 was just the beginning of my journey.

i am now a settler on unceded Gadigal Country (sydney), australia. through my workshops and sessions, i create space for reflection and critical dialogue, navigating the complexities of this work with care and sensitivity.

i'm a sanskrit scholar who doesn't teach sanskrit. read more