Spring arrives and that first practice surrounded by the trees, the ocean, the birds and even the flies, I feel something loosen.
Practicing yoga outside, I strongly believe, is the best and most effective way to use your practice to reconnect with our Planet. To instill that sense of true connection and community. A yoga practice encased by six 'walls' (around, above, below) with stale air, removed from the elements is a very tangible example of how we've subverted Yoga to become something removed. Separate. Like how we live in urban centres, in our tiny boxes of apartments. Removed and separate from each other and Life.
Today was our weekly 'Yoga in the Park' day. When I moved here, Halifax did not have a regular 'Yoga in the Park'. At all (a hint at the lack of Yoga community). Setting out to change this, we created a facebook page and approached several yoga instructors about coming out, and practicing with us.
A monetary, donation based system of instructor involvement was suggested. The students discussed it and voiced their strong feelings of keeping Yoga in the Park about community, about practicing together because we wanted to and not because it was a 'job'. It was stated that out in the park, in the open space was not the place to set up a personal money jar... .
Our new spot- Tour Site 10 at Point Pleasant Park
Unfortunately, several instructors met, decided that although the students wanted Yoga in the Park to remain about Community they wanted something different. The students were informed: 'You can just practice somewhere else' as they wanted the time, place and date. So in fact, the original Yoga in the Park has been co-opted and changed into an event promoting an individual yoga teacher's venue and business and is no longer about Yogi(ni)s meeting outside to connect and practice together.Our group still meets every Saturday and sadly we are left without actual instructors to lead us. All are welcome and no personal funding is required. We meet, we practice and I lead as best as I can. The facebook group is in fact 100 yogi(ni)s strong... despite new comers being few and far between. I'm considering shutting it down...
My 'Yoga in the Park' crew practicing their favourite poses in the rain
Today we practiced in the rain and it was beautiful. In our new spot, directly facing the ocean we reached up in our Warrior I's feeling the droplets on our faces, our mats, our hands. We saw a few yoginis from the other group walking out, their yoga obviously being canceled due to rain. Looking over our group; a father, his 9 year old son, Andrew and I, Jen and Chris and Lori... we were a much more varied and non-typical group compared to the young, white female lulus walking out.
I have never felt so connected to Yoga or to the Earth as I moved through the postures and felt the rain on my face.
Much Blessings.
The Anchor along the way to Tour Site 10 this morning
*****Check out Roseanne's post at 'itsallyogababy.com' today about the corporatization of Yoga- a 'macro' example of trying to build community through capitalism.****
article and photographs copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com
If I lived anywhere near Halifax I would teach yoga in the park for free. I have a very simple philosophy. You either charge full price of you do it for free. In betweenings look suspicsious.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah... not that it helps of course... ;)
That's too bad :-( I know of a donation-based yoga in the park the next town over... Assuming (ok, hoping) it's some sort of charity collection. Funny though, I would certainly choose the free group over the paid group, maybe that's just me. (and I wear lulu lol!)
ReplyDeletegood luck figuring out the next step!!
Looks like you guys are having so much fun!! Good for you for keeping the spirit of it alive! Maybe your group can rotate who takes turns to lead the class so everyone gets to experience leading and practicing? Or you could each teach a segment of the practice?
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher all of the drop-in classes I teach (except for privates) are donation-based and I have never seen anything wrong with that.
I do understand that people who teach yoga exclusively for a living (unlike me who has a good day job) can start to feel sensitive about money because it certainly is hard to earn a living on yoga teaching and they have rent to pay, too. So I think it's all about compromise. If people want a teacher's time and expertise I believe they should be willing to offer something back in recognition of the work the teacher puts in. But it doesn't have to be cash! A free lunch afterwards, or baked goods could be nice! I think with most people, balance is the key.
I personally don't think that the ideas of community and paying a few dollars for something are mutually exclusive at all. I do it every time I go to a cafe with friends, or a restaurant, or whatever. If we go to the beach and someone drives me, I offer gas money. If I go to dinner, I bring something to contribute. Being generous with money is actually an excellent way to create equality in a community, as much as it can take it away.
But it IS sad when people let the expeirence become more about their ego and their wallet and less about sharing the joy.
How fabulous that Halifax has you to initiate an earth-appreciating outdoor practice! Whether it's one, five or fifteen yogis practicing, you raise a blessed spirit when you practice... much strength & love to you :)
ReplyDeleteOooh! Yoga in the Park sounds awesome! You're teaching yoga! That is excellent - and you have a group of committed students - wow. Lots of teachers don't have that. You may be onto something...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the supportive comments everyone. I guess just a general- the 'donation' doesn't go to a charity or studio... but to the teacher personally. for whatever they wish.
ReplyDeleteWe also weren't asking them to 'teach' a class, but just to lead us through- talking while they practice with us. It wasn't about hosting a 'class' but about practicing outside together.
@Rachel: thank yoU! it would be so cool to attend one of your classes...
@Callah: yeah, there really is something about free yoga- just practicing together, that makes it about the practice. Add money to the equation and although not bad- just in the context of the park- not the same.
@La Gitane: I understand your point completely. I really like the idea of different sections- I'll ask a few of them if they're interested in trying it :)
We actually discussed different ways to say 'thank you' for a teacher talking through her practice with us (since we really didn't ask them to 'teach' per se).
The teacher I was in contact with actually said:
'People can show their appreciation by paying'
Which I thought was sad.
I would most certainly pay full price (and do) for a taught class in the studio- where I'm paying for skill, knowledge, studio costs and time.
But Yoga in the Park? Where the entire premise was to simply create a space for yogi(ni)s to gather and practice together outside?
You're right- if the teachers had been less utterly dismissive of what we wanted (ie, willing to actually compromise) it would have been fine.
Sadly, instead of viewing YITP as an opportunity to practice outside with fellow yogis, the teachers stated they would absolutely *not* commit unless money was involved.
@Elize- thank you :)
@Michelle: lol I never thought of it that way.... hah- it's mostly friends- and they are extremely supportive of my yoga obsession :)
I kinda agree with both points of view....
ReplyDeleteI love that there is free yoga in PP Park-what could be better with the crazy cost of yoga these days and makes it accessible for all in such a beautiful park?You have started a wonderful amazing thing girl!
I agree it's a shame there has to be two diff things going on in park, but as a self employed person myself who barely survives I totally get that a nominal fee is a sign of respect that yoga teaching is part of that teacher's career.It's like you doing your job for free-but imagine getting paid much less in their career and no stability or benefits.I really believe people should not give their livelihood away for free (unless of course if fo a special fundraiser/charity of course!)
So I am really confuded and mixed up about where i stand on the issue!
I suppose if I were you I might be slightly ticked off though that your seed of an idea had sprouted into side plants you were not planning on planting! Ah the garden of life in the modern world ;)
Hope you realize you are providing a wonderful gift to people and it is very inspiring it comes from your heart.Perhaps a yogini who is in the midst of being teacher trained might be a good type to "recruit" for your cause??
Namaste !
@Anonymous: Yes I agree wholeheartedly. I also agree that it's not straightforward and my conclusions for YITP were come to after a lot of thought (months actually) and several not-fun and frustrating messages with an instructor.
ReplyDeleteI do think having a teacher training yogi would be perfect.
What's frustrating me is the complete lack of willingness across the board- there is no coherent yoga community in halifax. It's mostly by studio. Except for Sunrise Studio- they are awesome.
I agree with you though- it is very important to recognize and respect the teacher's time and skills.
Except we weren't asking them to actually not practice and teach a full class. We were asking someone to talk while they practice next to us....
I'm just wondering if I should even continue trying. It's been a lot of effort for something that I get minimal support from the actual 'yoga teaching' community....
I applaud this effort. It's truly excellent, and is trying to address one of the major issues with yoga in North America. It's disappointing that there haven't been any teachers willing to see the value of doing this without money involved - there's something "off" about that.
ReplyDeleteI think you are running up against the walls and pressures of our capitalist economic structures. Most yoga teachers are making marginal income, and do have to bring in enough money to make ends meet. And I also think that any extra expectation on your group's part will be considered teaching by these people, even if your group doesn't intend it to be teaching.
This gets into how the whole yoga "industry" tends to work. Each teacher is on their own for the most part, even if they are in a co-operative kind of studio. What they earn is mostly about how many students they can cram into classes, how many classes they can cram into a week, and how many other yoga events (lectures, special workshops, etc) they can pull off throughout the year. So, I think it's really challenging for many teachers to consider doing things for free - even though I also think it's really what needs to happen sometimes to break through the emphasis on monetary exchange.
And even though I agree with La Gitane's comments that offering money can be a good way to build community, I also believe in the case of efforts like this community-building group, part of what you're trying to do is up end the privatization of yoga. That's what you're responding to, as have I. The walled, pristine studios. The fancy, expensive yoga clothes and accessories. The constant payments being made to attend classes. It all adds up to privatizing.
Community just doesn't fit well into this, and the results are pretty clear that when it comes to how yoga is mostly occurring in North America, it's not too often about community. Or, when you have conferences or workshops, you must pay to enter into community, and pay a lot usually.
I think La Gitane's point about food is important - potlucks always build community. And maybe if you ask nothing of teachers besides their presence, you might find that they start showing up, and naturally begin to offer tips or comments that benefit the group.
@Nathan: exactly. that is exactly what i was trying to say. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOne of the prominent studios here is offering four outdoor seva yoga classes this summer. The classes are free monetarily, but the idea is to pay it forward to benefit a cause you feel strongly about (whether in time or money). It's a very "off the mat" idea. I'm sore from yesterday's seva yoga session, and it was very worthwhile to be outside with so many like-minded yogis/yoginis. However, it was nearly 90F at 9am, which proved very difficult for me, so I'm reconsidering that Bikram 5-class pass I bought!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, I think the yoga in the park thing is great and I think the thing with real community (vs a fad thing) is that it grows slowly and starts - and sometimes stays - small. And that is just fine!
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of these community things vs business ventures is that it's not a contest and it's not about market share - your little group could keep meeting in perpetuity and maybe start bringing post-practice snacks and evolve into a deeper rather than bigger thing. How great would that be!
Maybe it's ok that you don't have a 'teacher', I think it's a great idea to alternate leading and to incorporate food through post-practice snacks. More of a yoga-circle kind of thing.
Providing everyone has a personal commitment to their own practice and is not competing to do insane things on the mat or bring increasingly exotic muffins, all will be well.
Each person taking turns to talk the others through a particular sequence can be a really profound way of not just sharing the load for you but also inviting the others to explore their own practice from different angles as they begin articulating it to others.
Don't worry about the teachers that you have approached that have not been interested, they don't know what they are missing, and we are all just human after all with our issues and fears... for many teachers in small places, the whole money thing can be a big old can of worms... not to mention the idea of doing yoga, just for fun ;) The fact that you are actually asking them to 'not teach' might actually be the most daunting part. Things are rarely as straightforward as they seem on the surface, despite the seeming bluntness of some of the responses.
The 'yoga teaching community' to me is no different than the yoga practicing community, any student can become a 'real teacher' with time and training and my students have been my greatest teachers in the broadest sense.
It's great that there is another park thing going on for the lulus and there will probably be other little groups over time and that's ok too - it may not always feel like it but really it is - you all will actually enhance eachother and the whole park... the more the merrier!
Just keep having fun doing what you're doing. You all are just fine as you are - you are building a brand new community not launching just another studio :)
Don't be discouraged by what it's not, delight in what it is because what it is, right now, sounds pretty great... and summer only lasts for so long!
Just wanted to mention that I do know some very dedicated yoga teachers in Halifax who DO teach for free-some of them have their own charity and one is doing karma classes for a year at Moksha to fundraise specifically for Off the Mat on her own doing with a goal of something like trying to raise $20,000 or something amazing-all on her own initiative and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJust didn't want to give the impression to people that there aren't yoga teachers in Halifax willing to give and volunteer their time,cause there certainly are!And a kudos to them(whether they wear LuLu or not).
Let's all be broadminded !
@dragonfly: you are very right. I just need to take a breath. and adjust. I like the idea of bringing food into this- we do bring snacks- but usually not consistently.
ReplyDeleteI've phoned a few friends and asked if they'd like to do a part- co-leadership :) Thank you!!
@Anonymous: well here's the thing about Moksha, and other studios who are offering 'free yoga'... it's usually studio specific. As in- they don't communicate the events with other studios, nor any larger aspect of the yoga community.
You either know about it cuz you practice at Moksha studio... or you don't.
Which i find extremely frustrating. So although Moksha may be doing lots of great off the mat stuff- they're not actually communicating in a *Community* sense.
If you'd like to check this theory out, go to another yoga studio and ask whether they're aware of -insert recent event here- of another studio.
I also really really really wanted to touch base with the Moksha manager in Halifax- have been trying for about six months now. Emails, dropping in to the studio... nada.
Perhaps this may feel like 'community'- but I'm looking for something a bit less studio specific in my definition of 'yoga community'.
*However* don't get me wrong. There are a few awesome teachers in Halifax:
Helen Fong and Jack Godfrey of Sunrise Studio are AMAZING. I heart them both very much. :)
Hi EcoYogini! I love hearing about your yoga in the park, your teaching, and especially about how you are connecting with nature out there. It really sounds like you are an ideal leader for the group. I wish you well!
ReplyDeleteI will have to try yoga in the rain. Also, how did I miss your BEAUTIFUL new header? I'm not reading very attentively these days, I guess. I usually read in Reader but when I clicked through just now I actually gasped! It's really amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo THIS is what you've been going through! Wow.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I'm a little peeved about it, to some extent. I would find this issue extremely frustrating.
I don't even know where to begin, except to say that Nathan hit it all on the head, zip-bing-bang! And Dragonfly made excellent points, as well. So I'll skip that stuff, lol!
I totally understand La Gitane's points, and what others had to say about being an instructor and how that affects something like this. BUT...I don't know.
On Etsy right now, we are exploring this whole issue of pricing and worth and being a business owner of a super small business and creating things (or in this case, classes) of value. Some people in my group offered an idealized pricing chart - what our time is worth (in this case they used $10/hr. which is just above minimum wage), the price of buying our product ingredients, the fees we pay to Etsy and Paypal, etc., and in the end, that figure is usually too high. People either won't or can't pay that much.
The bottom line from all these Etsy discussions is that we ultimately end up doing what we do cuz we enjoy it, not because it pays the rent. We want to offer something beautiful to the world, and to use our own hands to make it, but Etsy sellers rarely are paid what they are truly worth.
I think the same can be said about yoga teachers. And while I understand the need to pay the rent, I have also accepted that I may never make what I hope to make, and I may give away a lot of my products or time for free - and that's okay.
And again, that's NOT to say that yoga teachers should just give away their expertise for free right and left. But I'm bummed that those you talked to about it were not open to other ideas than payment.
I agree with what La Gitane said about it being fine to spend a few bucks (or more) on community (get-togethers, that is), but I also believe there needs to be someplace where the only exchange of goods is communication and connection. No money. Everyone should have access to a simple, open, non-privatized (thank you, Nathan) event, like your YITP. There's got to be something in this world that asks nothing more from you than open-minded participation.
Anyway, I'm really sorry that your idea was taken by another group and into a direction opposite of where you wanted to go. You have put SO MUCH time and energy into this and that's just not fair. But c'est la vie, huh?
I do hope that you keep going and keep trying, though. How many times have we seen people struggle and work so hard for the simplest thing? But somehow, it is worth it. Even just in the inspiration that you give to others (like me!).
after reading roseanne's all about yoga, i clicked my way on over...
ReplyDeletecompeting yoga classes? seems wack. i would only say that maybe engage the people coming from the other class? invite them to join? only, of course, if it doesn't come across as hostile to the teachers who made the decision they did.
also... keep it going until it's just you in the rain! and then, still keep it going!
and, by that i mean "it's all yoga, baby". will someone feed me breakfast?
ReplyDelete@VeganB: COOL, I love the idea of paying it forward to another organization you feel strongly about!! THAT is a fantastic idea.... haha Bikram yoga eh?? oh that would KILL me lol.
ReplyDelete@Brooks: thank you :)
@Jamie- thank you! Actually, it's my 'summer' header from last year- with moving and stuff I really didn't have time to take a new summer header. and I really like this one :)
@ Yancy: haha yes... Actually, there's other stuff with Coffee and Yoga too that added to all this... but there ya go.
What interesting Etsy discussions!! I would most certainly feel comfortable paying higher prices for etsy products because I *know* that the money is going towards time and skill of the artisan and not some faceless corporations.
You've reminded me that I mean to email you about lotions and stuff-cuz I Love love loved your body-face lotion. and I'm willing to pay for it :)
But you're right of course, it's finding the balance. I think with YITP, in a free-public space, it's even less in the realm of 'job' and more 'passion for yoga'. Like someone mentioned- maybe it's just too hard to think about practicing yoga 'For Fun' for these teachers.
Also- the money is going directly to each teacher... so it's not really a 'karma' experience, but just a cheaper yoga class- which is still capitalism...
@Emma: I totally knew what you meant haha- weird how our posts are in a similar line! I'm linking her in my post shortly. I think it's wack too.
Thanks for your support- because of all the positive feedback I've decided to just ignore the facebook page numbers and be ecstatic with my AWESOME yoga crew that I have now. :)
I just did an outside class on Saturday. It was looking like rain, but I didn't cancel, cuz I figured that would just be part of the experience of doing the class in the park (as per last week's discussions).
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're experiencing so much frustration trying to create a community. Mine is such a small town, there isn't really much besides my classes at the Y and a few things the college students put together.
In defense of the teachers not wanting to participate (altho there's no defense for snippy comments)--I'm not sure I could "just" practice, if I was invited as a representative teacher. I would feel responsible for everyone else's experience, even I was supposed to just talk through my motions. It's hard to switch hats. I think the teacher trainee idea sounds great...s/he would get some experience, the rest would get a guided sequence.
Good luck with all of this and I hope you find a workable solution!
Wow. As a teacher it actually hurt to read that a teacher had co-opted your yoga in the park. If a group of students approached me to lead a community class, I would jump at the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI still find it frustrating that most people would NOT do their given job for free, yet somehow think it is is "different" for yoga teachers!
ReplyDeleteMost of these yoga teachers already sacrifice a lot to try and teach yoga as a career-they have little pay and try and hold down 2 or 3 other part time jobs (many of them I have talked to!)
For them they got into yoga because of community and love of it and just because they are struggling to survive doesn't mean they have sold their souls to the devil.
Yoga is about empathy,and just as many of you are dissing the yoga teachers I would love to see more community vibes on the difficulties of trying to be a yoga teacher.
I love what Lisa is doing but I don't assume that all of Halifax yoga studios are exclusive and competitive-in fact I have personally experienced the opposite.I won;t go into personal details but it has made me look at a yoga studio with gratitude ,thanks and much inspiration from them.
Anyways, keep up the awesome work/blog/ideas EcoYogini,and thanks for allowing differing views and ways of looking at things on your blog.
Things are not always as clear as they seem sometimes....
Namaste all!
Yoga is a spiritual way of life. You don't really take off your 'yoga clothes' after class. I think practitioners (certified and non-certified alike) should not forget that.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: thank you for sharing your perspective. I'll have to say that although I never meant to imply they had 'sold their souls to the devil' I did mean what I said: a group of Yoga instructors were inconsiderate and, well, quite condescending.
ReplyDeleteLike I have said before- I understand that being a yoga instructor does not mean they are rich, nor that they should not be compensated for their job.
Really what I said was that I did not appreciate and was disappointed in the complete lack of willingness to listen and discuss YITP.
I pay (willingly) for classes in a studio and appreciate their knowledge and skills.
I have had a few great studio experiences, but they've been marred by the complete lack of willingness for studios to connect with myself or each other.
And although I think alone they are all wonderful places, and offer great opportunities for yogis, I strongly feel that it is extremely unfortunate that they have such a lack in community and connection *with each other*.
What I didn't write in the post was the details of what I have heard from different yoga instructors regarding community events, the complete LACK of response I got from the majority of the studios, the complete disinterest in something that was community oriented and wouldn't benefit their studio directly.
It was disheartening and extremely embarrassing to be ignored and disregarded in such an outright manner by all but ONE studio in the city.
And I have contacted them all repeatedly since January.
This isn't exactly an issue of personality. It's an issue of the Yoga 'community' as a situation in the city and the economical conundrum many instructors are finding themselves.
So not personal yoga instructor, but circumstance that doesn't seem to have any support.
PS Just wanted to make sure you knew I am very inspired and impressed with you and your ideas etc.(Sometimes I get passionate when I am commenting and then worry that comments may be taken in a negative light!)
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of yours-keep rocking on!
I have obviously had a very different experience than you here in Halifax,and therefore our differing opinions.
But really must extend a bravo to you-I absolutely love your blog!!!
Hi Anonymous: thank you very much! Actually, I did think that you were being very respectful and trying very hard not to be negative. I really appreciate it- i'm a super sensitive person...
ReplyDeleteI think I'm a bit nervous that this whole post will get construed to mean that I hate all Halifax Yoga instructors- which is definitely not the case.
I'm just frustrated with the whole situation in general...
Sigh- I wonder why we had such different experiences? Perhaps it's in the way I view things... and I should be more open?
I LOVE yoga in the park. I am sooo glad you decided to keep it up even though you got "kicked out" of your spot...I really like the new site though...nice and close to the water just the way I like it. I will be there this weekend! :)
ReplyDeletePS: You do a GREAT job at leading! ;)
It's curious to me that the tension around this post seems to be about teachers - and that there isn't a lot of commentary about community and/or lack of community in North American yoga.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Lisa, I don't think your view of the situation in general is off. Yoga in many cities in the U.S. and Canada lacks coherent communities. Some studios are filled with wonderful teachers, but how often do people get together outside of class in large or smaller groups? How often do people discuss how yoga applies to their daily lives on a regular basis in groups of yoginis? How often do you hear about groups of yoginis doing service work together, or even just having fun together regularly?
I'm really surprised people are so hung up on whether a teacher should be paid or not, but don't seem to be interested in digging into the issue of community deeper.
- Lisa, one idea for your Park group you might want to consider. We have a training group at our Zen Center that's been having some trouble keeping up it's energy, and recently, we decided that it would be helpful to have the coordinator position be rotating. In this case, every 6 months. But maybe for your group it could be some other length of time. This might help with any burnout that could come, plus make it harder for one person to get "dominant" or too elevated.
@Nathan: I agree- it is interesting that this conversation turned towards something like: 'Halifax Yoga Teachers aren't terrible and deserved to be paid'...
ReplyDeletewhen that wasn't really my point at all.
I'm glad that it isn't just me that has noticed a disconnect between instructors and students in the yoga community.
It's been very weird to notice that since i am not an instructor i am not 'in' with the yoga events or crew here... and when events are coordinated it has been usually much more studio-teacher oriented.
Like the Yoga for CNIB- which turned into a 'we love this studio who's hosting' morning- and the yogi(ni)s consisted of three instructors, three new grads and a few 'grads-tobe' amongst the 30 or so participants.
I really like your idea about switching it up to coordinate.... I've already taken that first step and made two other yoginis admins on the facebook group-- it would simply mean asking them to take the next step.
Thanks :)
The new community I moved to a couple months ago has a lot of yoga classes, but no free or fully donation-based classes. There is a weekly "community" yoga class, but it actually means that the $12/person is donated to various local charities. That's great! But now what I expected from the name "community class."
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to see a weekly free yoga class/gathering get started. I don't feel qualified to lead it at this time, though, so I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps just going to some classes and getting to know the local folks in the existing yoga community and getting the conversation started...
Glad the idea is helpful. Keep up the good work! It's worth it.
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that community is a great thing but I still think it is up to the yoga students to get together and not rely on yoga teachers. Definitely teachers should volunteer if they wish too and are not too busy with other forms of charity and volunteer work they already do.
ReplyDeleteBut I think there are many methods to gather commnity besides just through the actual studio.
With social media there are a gazillion options such as facebook, twitter,etc etc.
Anyways, just another, opinion!
Cheers !
I love all the discussion this has generated! I think it's great.
ReplyDeleteAs you are finding out, leading yoga can be a lot of work, and it's hard to focus on your own practice if you feel responsible for other people's experience. I too wonder if there are YTT training programs in Halifax that you could reach out to - but not do it through the studio if they are not open to it?
I think the notion of community is very important, and like so many others, the notion of how we can build communities OFF the mat. At the end of the day, a yoga practice is such a small part of what Yoga is. Potlucks, activities, contributing time, resources or energy to worthy causes - all these things are worth building as much as a gathering around asana.
I'm glad you've kept it going with its original intent. You are so right in that it should be about connection--to the outdoors, to each other, to the seasons. I hope you stick with it, as at the very least you and Andrew are getting something out of it! Too bad someone(s) tried to make it something else......
ReplyDelete