How Reconnecting With Our Roots Leads To Collective Freedom

Estimated reading time 2 minutes | Song: Lily in The Valley by New Life Choir and John P. Kee

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The Power of Roots

In a world that regularly demands we assimilate, disconnect, or suppress the wisdom of our ancestors, reconnecting with our roots is a revolutionary act and a practice of decolonization. The priority of progression over tradition, many of us have lost touch with the cultural roots that once grounded our ancestors. Our roots, embedded in the stories, traditions, and resilience of those who came before us, hold the power to heal, guide, and liberate us–not just individually but as a collective. The disconnection has left a void, or in the words of Elder Malidoma Patrice Some.

Ritual is not compatible with the rapid rhythm that industrialism has injected into life. So whenever ritual happens in a place commanded by or dominated by a machine, ritual becomes a statement against the very rhythm that feeds the needs of that machine. It makes no difference whether it is apolitical machine or otherwise.
— Elder Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

The Meaning of Reconnecting with Our Roots

Reclaiming our ancestral roots isn’t just about genealogy or cultural pride; it’s about uncovering the deep truths of who we are. When we honor our (decolonized and healed) traditions and practices, we reclaim the wisdom that colonialism, oppression and modernity sought to erase. This journey is deeply personal, requiring us to engage with our histories, celebrate our strengths, and address the traumas we’ve inherited. 

The Collective Impact: Freedom for All

Individual liberation through ancestral connection ripples outward into the collective. By remembering the communal care and interdependence that are foundational to many of our traditions, we can begin dismantling systems of harm that thrive on disconnection. Together, we can reimagine freedom not as a solitary experience but as a shared, abundant reality for all. 

Practices for Reconnection

  1. Storytelling and Oral Histories: Speak to elders and share intergenerational stories. 

  2. Cultural Practices: Engage in rituals, cooking, and art forms tied to your heritage. 

  3. Healing through Ancestral Wisdom: Use practices like yoga, meditation, and herbalism from your lineage to connect with the past. 

  4. Community Building: Find or create spaces where your cultural identity is celebrated and nourished. 

Why This Work Matters Now

As we approach another year, there’s no better time to commit to reconnecting with our roots. Our ancestors endured unimaginable challenges yet left us the tools to thrive. Their strength, wisdom, and traditions can help us create a more just and liberated future for all. 

Join the Be Still Class This January

Are you ready to take the first steps toward healing and liberation through your ancestral practices? Join me in-person for a water offering to our ancestors followed by an outdoor yoga class, this is where we will explore decolonial healing within our bodies, reconnect with our roots, and build a vision for collective freedom. 

Together, let’s honor our past, heal in the present, and create a liberated future. One of the ways we can connect with our ancestors and selves is through the practice of rest and restoration. On Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 1pm, I am leading a deep restorative yoga practices at Yoloha Studio. Sign up now to reserve your spot in this transformative experience to practice being still, together.




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The Power of Communal Care: Building Resilience Through Faith

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Tracing Your Roots: Practices for Personal Liberation