🌍 When a Yogi Meets a Kogi

Written October 2024

Hello,

This week was one I will remember.

On Tuesday, I went to the Royal Anthropological Institute, where I had the privilege to listen to a message from the Kogi people, an indigenous community from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.

The Kogi are descendants of the Tairona civilization, which was believed to have been decimated after the Spanish conquest. However, some Tairona retreated into the highlands of the Sierra Nevada, where they built new villages and lived in isolation for centuries. They remained largely unknown to the outside world, practicing self-sufficiency for over 500 years.

They refer to us as the "younger brothers" and only began reaching out when changes in the global climate started affecting their sacred land. The Kogi see themselves as the guardians of the Earth, living in what they call the "heart of the world." Their territory encompasses a range of ecosystems, from the Caribbean coast to the glaciers at the summit of the Sierra Nevada.

For over 2,000 years, they have lived in harmony with nature, preserving peace and maintaining a deep spiritual connection to the Earth.

 For many years, the Kogi have warned us of the damage we are causing to the Earth. When they first reached out, they believed we were unaware of the harm we were inflicting. Now, they realize that we do know—we understand the consequences of our actions—but we are not changing fast enough. Their message has evolved into something deeply spiritual: they teach that the roots of climate change are not just external but stem from our inner state of being.

The way we live, the disconnection from ourselves and from nature, is reflected in the damage we see around us. The Kogi remind us that true change begins within, and this resonates strongly with what yoga offers. Yoga is more than just physical postures—it’s a path to mental clarity, emotional balance, and deeper self-awareness. By cultivating harmony within ourselves, we create the space for more harmonious relationships with the world around us. Just as the Kogi live as guardians of the Earth, yoga guides us to reconnect with our own inner wisdom, helping us to live more consciously, compassionately, and sustainably.

 The Kogi’s message reminds us that true change begins within, and yoga offers a powerful path to that inner transformation. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with yourself or find balance in your busy life, yoga can guide you toward greater well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually.