<p>Tucker Shelton has studied and taught yoga for over a decade. He has also studied 200 hours of Thai Yoga Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand and has a Masters with Honors in Contemplative Religious Studies and Sanskrit Language from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. While Tucker has taught and studied throughout the United States and around the world, from New Zealand to India to Mexico, he currently lives in Asheville, NC.</p> <p>We talk about Tucker's upbringing in the Episcopal church and how he eventually found a deeper connection to ritual through practicing and teaching yoga. We compare the meaning behind yoga to other religions and discuss how he presents and identifies as a queer person on his yoga mat. Tucker also helps us begin to unpack what the word "yoga" really means and how the practice of yoga is often misappropriated in our culture today.</p> <p>Tucker identifies as gender non-binary and uses he, she, and they pronouns interchangeably.</p> <p>Find Tucker at <a href="https://www.tuckeryoga.com/" target="_blank">tuckeryoga.com</a> and on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tucker_yoga/" target="_blank">@tucker_yoga</a>.</p> <p>For Reflection: How do you balance the masculine and feminine within yourself?</p> <p>Resources: On cultural appropriation,Tucker mentioned two influential teachers: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yogaphilosophy_com/" target="_blank">Dr. Shyam Ranganathan</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shantiwithin/" target="_blank">Anusha Wijeyakumar</a>. Tucker also recommends visiting, <a href="https://decolonizingyoga.com/" target="_blank">https://decolonizingyoga.com</a>, <a href="https://www.offthematintotheworld.org/" target="_blank">https://www.offthematintotheworld.org</a>, <a href="https://yogainaction.org/" target="_blank">https://yogainaction.org</a></p> <p>New to yoga? Here are a few resources from Greg Greg recommends. On the physical benefits of yoga, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/yoga-workouts" target="_blank">webmd.com</a>. For a look at yoga's spiritual roots, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Sutras-Patanjali-Swami-Satchidananda/dp/1938477073/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SCHIEUHPXVC6&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=yoga+sutras+of+patanjali&amp;qid=1635953952&amp;sprefix=yoga+sutras%2Caps%2C156&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali</em></a>&nbsp;(Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda). For a deeper dive into the practice and poses of yoga, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Spirit-Practice-Moving-Stillness/dp/0671534807/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=erich+schiffmann&amp;qid=1635953990&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness</em></a>&nbsp;by Erich Schiffmann.</p> <p>Out Loud is a podcast by and for queer people of faith in the South. Follow us on&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/outloudstories" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://instagram.com/outloudstories" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and join our&nbsp;<a href="http://eepurl.com/dHZv9f" target="_blank">mailing list</a>&nbsp;for updates. Support the show financially by becoming a&nbsp;<a href="http://patreon.com/outloudstories" target="_blank">Patreon member</a>, or by leaving a <a href="https://secure.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5e4ae9f36dfe3141af539198&amp;ss_cid=93f2c064-f641-4c76-ac44-984b822c8f4a&amp;ss_cvr=93f2c064-f641-4c76-ac44-984b822c8f4a%7C1500580940434%7C1519234014553%7C1574373244628%7C5" target="_blank">one-time donation</a> on our website. Hosted and Produced by <a href="https://gregthompson.me/" target="_blank">Greg Thompson</a>. Follow Greg on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itsgregthompson/" target="_blank">@itsgregthompson</a>. Theme music by <a href="http://jpruggieri.com/" target="_blank">JP Rugierri</a>. Recorded in Richmond, VA.</p>