Anticapitalism and Yoga: Rest & the Power of Breath with Sangeeta Lerner

In today’s episode of Yoga Solutions, I connect with Sangeeta Lerner, a yoga teacher, social justice activist, and the visionary behind Annapurna House. Sangeeta’s work integrates yoga, anti-oppression, and community care, creating spaces for repair, restoration, and collective well-being. She brings her lived experiences as a creative director turned yoga teacher, a survivor of personal trauma, and a mother to the forefront of her teachings, weaving together the personal and the political.

 

Sangeeta and I explore how yoga serves as a practice of liberation and resistance, grounding us in our humanity while challenging the systems that demand endless optimization. She shares deeply personal stories of resilience and transformation, offers practices to reconnect with our breath and natural rhythm, and calls on us to slow down, rest, and resist the pressures of capitalist culture.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

- [00:03:29] The Role of Yoga in Navigating Injustice and Trauma

- [00:05:20] How Breath Awareness Builds Resilience in Moments of Crisis

- [00:10:00] Recognizing and Returning to Your Natural Rhythm

- [00:16:35] The Power of Co-Regulation in Parenthood and Community

- [00:19:19] Why Yoga Should Center Rest, Repair, and Anticapitalism

- [00:23:00] Understanding the Harm of Misrepresenting Yoga in Modern Culture

Quotes from the Episode:

“Capitalism always makes us move faster than our rhythm. But we can reclaim our pace, even in small moments—waiting for a bus or sitting in the toilet.” 

 

“Yoga isn’t about bettering yourself endlessly. It’s about slowing down, resting, and repairing—becoming a better human, not a better machine.” 

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Connect with Sangeeta: 

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Susanna’s Socials: 

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Medical Disclaimer:

Please know any yoga wellness or health advice presented is not meant to replace the advice of your personal physician or other healthcare professional always seek competent medical care.