178: Women in Yoga: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA

From ritualistic roles in ancient times to the dominance of white Western women in modern asana imagery, the role of women in yoga has experienced some changes through the years.

In today’s episode, host Rachel Land welcomes returning guest Firdose Moonda, MA, to shed light on the often-overlooked role of women in yoga. Firdose traces women’s roles from early Vedic ritual and the epics through fierce goddesses, Mirabai, Indra Devi, and the development of modern yoga. Along the way, she invites us to question the idea that yoga has a singular and straightforward history, explore the limitations of viewing ancient traditions through modern eyes, and consider how today’s teachers and practitioners are actively creating the future history of yoga.

“The circular journey that yoga has taken back to me as a woman who is quite connected to culture made me feel like there’s something missing in the exploration of how I’m seeing myself here.” — Firdose Moonda

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS. AND BE SURE TO LEAVE US A RATING AND REVIEW!

“The best part of having freedom is allowing somebody else to have their freedom and respecting that freedom even if you disagree with it.” — Firdose Moonda

Show Notes:

From Indian men to white Western women [02:33]
Women’s roles in early Vedic ritual [05:50]
Fierce goddesses and the complexity of the divine feminine [12:21]
Medieval times: Mirabai challenges social expectations [19:02]
Indra Devi: yoga asana moving West [27:21]
Creating yoga’s future history now [35:24]
Have we moved beyond fear-based cultural appropriation to truly honor yoga’s roots? [42:49]
The Women in Yoga Teacher Training with Firdose Moonda [50:20]