Ahimsa and VaxGuard
Hello dear community -
Today, I’m trying something NEW. I’m offering a VACCINATED-ONLY, in-person yoga class at YogaSoup.
I'm excited about this new offering! And, I’ve been worried about pushing some people away as my intention has always been to hold a safe space for ALL BEINGS in my classes. Regardless of political and religious beliefs, age, race, class, sex, etc. I have always wanted everyone to feel honored, acknowledged, heard and above all-safe. I truly believe this is a way to do that.
The last almost-two years have been an up and down journey for my family and me. My children have also been riding the waves of fear, school closures, zoom school, and now back in person. The journey for me with managing our family, missing our closest friends and families and teaching yoga has been a similar up and down, somewhat stressful, confusing one. And, just a few days ago a dear college friend of mine lost her husband to COVID-19.
We come together in a yoga class. It’s a rare and precious time that we give ourselves permission to drop the usual planning, figuring, maneuvering and analysis and we hold space for each other to arrive fully present. I have never been more grateful for this as I am today after not having it for some time during the pandemic. Though I used to teach 60+ people in a closed room, even today in smaller classes we are still showing up to hold space for each other, breathing the same air. You inhale, I exhale. I inhale, you exhale.
Ahimsa is the first practice in the first limb of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. Ahimsa means ‘not to strike’. It is the practice of non-violence. A way to practice this is to be compassionate. To practice META or loving-kindness. And, with any of these practices, we get to determine how we practice Ahimsa. What may seem harmless to you may be very harmful to me. There can be an air of a “You Do You” mentality within the yoga and wellness space which can become harmful when we overlook aspects of our yogic and community responsibility: to love and protect others from harm.
In this new class offering, it's about Ahimsa. It’s about LOVE. I’m attempting to hold this space for those who are also vaccinated to arrive and rest in a safe(er) place. To trust in taking full and complete breaths in a room with other beings who are also vaccinated. To be able to replenish their nervous system without wondering if they will need a COVID test afterwards. To really allow the fight our flight response to move out through slow and fluid sequences to tap our inner ground of sustainable power. To be able to refill our mind, body and spirit.
And, I have also been very very busy working away on A NEW BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON for you behind the scenes. I can't wait to share it with you soon!
Oceans of love,
Kelly
