p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's
since 2021
Close your eyes for a second and observe which images, thoughts, and feelings appear when you hear the word “yoga.” Depending on variables like your experiences, practice, knowledge, and cultural background, they will differ from person to person.
Most of you will probably have associations like balancing your higher and lower self, mental and physical strength, empathy, resilience and self empowerment, or connecting with the world.
But probably for most of you too, a not-so-small part of your associations will be shaped more or less unconsciously through the lens of capitalist self-optimization and competitive individualism, as well as ignoring the traditions of yoga, including situating it more as a sport rather than a spiritual practice.
Now do the same exercise with the words “Smai Tawi.” It will probably be very different from the first one, you may have no associations at all. Although Smai Tawi — or kemetic yoga, referring to its origins in Black Old Egypt — overlaps very much with Indian yoga and has an even longer tradition, it is much less known. Why? As you might suspect, it may have something to do with the white supremacist framework of the world we are living in.
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's follow these reflections on the practices, representations, and uses of Yoga_Smai Tawi. It highlights the voices of BIPOC women* that honor the roots of Yoga_Smai Tawi and actively promote cultural appreciation over cultural appropriation.
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's #sika dede
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's #sika dede
4K video, 28 min, 2021
The first output of this long-term investigation is an insight into the practice of Yoga_Smai Tawi teacher Sika Dede, who speaks about the power of Yoga_Smai Tawi for Black healing, wellness and empowerment.
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's #sika dede was kindly supported by AFSAR (Asian Feminist Studio for Art and Research) in the framework of their research project "Equi-Vocal", 2021.
More @ A-FSAR.com
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's #akosua aset
p{o:s_i/t*i,o]n's #akosua aset
4K video, work-in-progress