Rise from the darkness

Waking up this morning, with the reality of the situation truly sinking in. Last night, I had to teach two yoga classes in union square, NYC, the heart of the protests. I didn’t know what to expect and was praying for divine guidance to give me the strength to hold space for everyone in the room and to speak the truth that everyone needed to hear to heal - all the while hold back my own tears as my heart was still grieving. The second we collectively closed our eyes to watch our breath, tears. Women and men, young and old, all races, college students, executives, all crying together, vulnerably, in front of and WITH one another, grieving on our mats. About 50 people showed up to each class, that's over 100 New Yorkers in two hours, all experiencing and coping with the same range of emotions…TOGETHER. Tears were flowing throughout the entire two classes, all with the background noise of sirens and helicopters from the election protests going on simultaneously on the streets. This is our reality right now. People are hurting, devastated, horrified, outraged and in pain over the reality that this is the country we live in…but it was so UNBELIEVABLY INSPIRING to see over 100 people show up to their practice last night. Instead of the millions of options that we have here in the city that never sleeps, over 100 people showed up to their mats, to get still and get REAL with what’s really going on inside themselves, instead of self medicating or numbing and running from it. That is true courage. In the midst of a national tragedy to show up to your practice on your mat, as a collective whole, and step right into the pain, instead of running from it. This is the true spirit of a peaceful warrior - to collectively SHOW UP and pray for more love, and more peace, and divine guidance to give us the strength that we need to keep raising the consciousness in the midst of all the chaos… and grieve and heal together. 

Holding space for others to heal last night was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in almost a decade of teaching, but seeing the unbelievable courage of the NYC community showing up in numbers to get real with what’s going, and to heal together, gave me strength. It gave me the strength and hope to get out of bed this morning and know that there is real work to do here. 

Healers, yoga teachers, spiritual activists: we have a major job to do. Our local communities need us now more than ever, so please take care of yourself now so that you can hold the space for your students to grieve and heal and get still and simply BREATH consciously. Know that together, in numbers, WE have the power to raise the consciousness and inspire the healing and love in one another that this nation so deeply needs right now. WE will all get through this TOGETHER, because like the sun, we too can rise again from the darkness, and shine our light of love and compassion on everyone we meet during this time. I love you all.

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