Breaking the Chains: Yoga, Co-Dependence, and the Path to True Liberation

Yoga is a path of liberation—freedom from the illusions that bind us, from the limitations of the mind, and even from attachment to the teacher, the practice, or the external experience. And yet, modern yoga culture often fosters the opposite: attachment, dependency, and an endless search for something outside ourselves.

This is especially true in yoga studios and retreats, where many students unconsciously develop co-dependent relationships—with their teacher, their studio, or even the idea that yoga is something external to be attained rather than an inner journey. Instead of practicing Aparigraha—the yogic principle of non-attachment and non-hoarding—many yoga practitioners cling to routines, teachers, and experiences that provide comfort rather than transformation.

The Studio Dilemma: Retention vs. Liberation

Yoga studios, like any business, depend on student retention. The more students return, the more sustainable the studio becomes. While this makes sense from a business perspective, it creates an inherent contradiction: yoga is meant to foster independence, yet the industry often encourages students to stay dependent.

To keep students engaged, studios may cater to what’s popular rather than what’s needed—offering endless variations of classes that entertain rather than educate, or promoting the idea that progress in yoga comes from external achievements (advanced postures, fitness goals) rather than internal awareness.

Likewise, students often attach themselves to a specific teacher, believing their growth depends on that one person. This attachment, though natural, can become limiting. A teacher’s role is to guide, not to be idolized. True yoga encourages students to cultivate their own wisdom, making the practice something that exists beyond the studio walls.

Retreats: Escape or Transformation?

Traditionally, a retreat was never meant to be a luxury yoga getaway—it was an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and turn inward. The word itself implies withdrawal, not indulgence.

Yet, many modern retreats are marketed as wellness vacations, selling an experience rather than a process of deep self-inquiry. Students arrive expecting relaxation, adventure, or a temporary high, rather than confronting the deeper layers of themselves that need to be released. Instead of embracing solitude or stillness, they bring distractions—checking phones between classes, curating social media content, or clinging to external comforts rather than surrendering to the unknown.

A retreat, when approached with the right mindset, is a powerful space for transformation. It is an invitation to sit with discomfort, observe one’s attachments, and break free from cycles of dependency. But this requires a willingness to let go.

The Role of the Teacher:

Guide, Not Guru

In both studios and retreats, teachers often become figures of attachment. Students look to them for answers, approval, and even identity. But a true teacher does not create followers—they create self-sufficient practitioners.

The practice of Aparigraha applies here as well. A teacher must not hoard students, just as students must not hoard teachings without embodying them. If a retreat leader or studio fosters dependency rather than empowering students to trust themselves, they are not truly serving the practice.

True Yoga: A Path to Inner Liberation

The essence of yoga is to free ourselves—from external validation, from attachment to teachers or places, and even from the belief that yoga is something we must get from someone else.

Both studios and retreats should encourage students to develop their own sustainable practice—one that is not reliant on location, teacher, or external motivation. A retreat should not be a consumer experience but an initiation into deeper self-awareness. A studio should not just be a place to attend classes but a space that equips students with tools they can take beyond the mat.

So before stepping into a retreat or onto the mat, ask yourself:

• Am I seeking something outside myself, or am I ready to look within?

• Am I practicing yoga for liberation, or am I holding onto attachments disguised as growth?

• Am I willing to let go of what I think I need in order to discover what truly serves me?

Yoga is not about collecting experiences, teachers, or retreats. It is about stripping away everything that keeps us from seeing who we really are.

Are you ready to let go? If you’re looking for guidance on cultivating a deeper connection with yourself and your practice, explore my Fall in Love with Life course here. This self-paced journey is designed to help you tune into your inner navigation system, reconnect with your true essence, and embrace life with more awareness and presence—on your own time, at your own pace.