AAPI Month: Celebrating Heritage Through Yoga

"For the past three years, yoga has become a deeply meaningful part of my life. I first started practicing because I wanted to become more flexible and get a "good stretch," but over time I fell in love with the deeper rooted meanings behind the practice. Through yoga philosophy, breathwork, and community, I started to realize that yoga is something far beyond just movement."

"As a first generation immigrant, I felt pressure to assimilate, almost as if I had to abandon parts of my culture to fit in. But as I grew older, I began to reconnect with and appreciate my heritage more deeply. With the help of yoga, I found an even greater appreciation and love for my culture and started seeing how closely many yogic values aligned with the values I was raised with."

"One of the biggest ways yoga honors my heritage is through the importance of community. Family and togetherness are deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Growing up, I was always taught that we care for one another, look out for one another, and make space for others at the table. My mom grew up in a home with over ten siblings, and many of them still live together today along with their own children."

"This spirit of community or , is reflected in the Filipino value of , the idea of collective care and helping one another without expecting anything in return. Neighbors physically picking up an entire home to help neighbors, sharing food so no one goes hungry even if one doesn't have enough, or always making room for one more person, there is an understanding that no one should be left behind."

Yoga became a meaningful practice over three years, beginning as a way to gain flexibility and a good stretch and growing into a deeper connection with yoga philosophy, breathwork, and community. The journey also supported reconnection with Filipino roots, revealing similarities between Filipino culture and yogic philosophy. As a first-generation immigrant, pressure to assimilate led to feeling like parts of culture had to be abandoned, but growing older brought renewed appreciation for heritage. Filipino culture emphasizes family and togetherness, including collective care and helping others without expecting anything in return. Yoga spaces reflect similar values through inclusive community, shared support, and making room for others.

Read at YogaRenew