reflection

29 entries in 2021 · oldest first

2021
Its that time of year again: resolution season. When you work in spiritual communities, gymnasiums, and/or wellness centers, you can't miss it.

Being aware of it doesn't mean that I've had to engage in it; I've typically been abroad, studying with my teachers during this pivotal time of transformation. I reckon what I've had come across my desk this time of year is more the "run-off"-- how it impacts those in my communities. Over the years, I've been struck by the dichotomy of response: managers and studio owners were thrilled to see rookies and wayward weekend warriors returning, while many yoga teachers themselves found that their progress in creating community was often frustratingly glutted by folks who lacked commitment, thereby "taking away from" the more committed practitioners.

Woof.

It's so easy to see both sides of it, and so easy to look down one's nose at so much associated with this malarky: conflating yoga with "getting fit", the pressure to be anti-fat, and of course all of the other dogwhistles things out there that say "you're not good enough."

I'll say it again: woof. But, it doesn't have to be this way inside of the lab of our own teachings and practices.

Come see more of my thoughts on this, and how to approach this season as both a professional and a practitioner, over at FunctionalAshtanga.com
in imageCOMPARE
CONTRAST
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feeling vibes
in imageninaesperanza
I know I probably sound like a broken record with my
"I'm learning to slow down my practice posts"
Myth:
you have to
do advanced
asana
to make
progress
in Yoga.
QUNRULYASCETIC
@unrulyascetic
This morning was the first time in four months l've
been able to bind after my shoulder injury.
@michaeljoelhall led a slow progression through the
marichy series. It wasn't forced but slow and
controlled. On Saturday I was able to stack my
shoulders over my wrists for a split second handstand
in @ericabaca202's amazing class. These are the
littlest things but they feel huge. More importantly I'm
truly focused on rebuilding my practice. This morning
I was able to say look at what I'm doing rather than
0mg I can't believe I can't grab my foot in this pose l've
always been able to grab my foot in this pose. I feel
less angry towards my practice but am constantly
reminding myself now that the advanced practice is
the mental part not the asana. The hardest asana isn't
always the most advanced.
feeling
vibes
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in imagemagdalenaweinstein
#1 DIFFERENCE IN BETWEEN
SOMATIC THERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
TRACKING PHYSIOLOGY VS TRACKING STORY CONTENT
© Magdalena Weinstein
magdalenaweinstein This question comes up a lot in the
work | do. People love telling stories, humans have been telli...
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I was a kid who worked full time during summer months (age 14-18).

I made $13/hr at the Virginia Renn Faire.

I was performing child labor (I was a child, and I labored).
in imageI was a kid who worked full
time
during summer months
(age 14-18) .
I made $13/hr at the
Virginia Renn Faire.
I was performing child
labor (I was a child, and I
labored) •
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This isn’t a livable wage as an adult.

So!

Am i to understand that this is a job for children?

When I was younger, they hired Russians and Ukrainians to come in and do it.

Because it wasn’t a livable wage 25 years ago.

And there weren’t enough children Virginian children who could labor.
in imageThis isn't a livable wage
as an adult.
So!
Am i to understand that
this is a job for
children?
When I was younger, they
hired Russians and
Ukrainians to come in and
do it.
Because it wasn't a livable
wage 25 years ago.
And there weren't enough
children Virginian children
who could labor.
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The Yoga Club’s very first ad will be right here.

When I first started coming to DC, I would go to a little coffee house at 22nd and P (love to Soho!) to hang out, spending time reading all of my favorite (read: free + edgy) DC newspapers— The Blade, the City Paper... and Pathways.

Each of these publications has struggled to stay in print over the last 10 years. I likely don’t need to tell y’all about the rapidly changing face of media— and how it has adversely impacted queer journalism, alt-newspapers, and trade-zines.

For y’all that haven’t been here for 30 years, lemmie tell ya: Pathways is the OG DC natural living/holistic health trade publication. Last year, Pathways didn’t have a print publication (due largely to the pandemic... and the changing landscape of readership).

One of the reasons i love DC so much is precisely because i was able to find my tribe— and so much of that is due to publications like this. Who knew that the local publications i loved growing up I’d eventually get to work with?

We went with Pathways first because it’s owned by my bestie’s bestie— and you know I love family owned and friend-ran.

For 7 years, my yoga program, DC Ashtanga, was fiercely independent and grassroots — and while we remain firmly non-commercial, the Yoga Club (my new practice space) wants to help others find community while also supporting and elevating others in our community.

While DC ashtanga will remain a grassroots practice group (as it always has been), we’re now proudly in residence in our new home at theyoga.club, and it is a pro ledge to help Pathways relaunch in print, so that other little woo woo gays can find a copy... and a tribe.
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Last night was the: It was also a BLUE moon BLUE
Most often, seasons have 3 full moons.
When you have 4, the 3rd is called a “Blue Moon”
in imageLast night was the:
FULL STURGEON MOON
THE OLD
FARMER'S ALMANAC
It was also a BLUE moon
Most often, seasons have 3
full moons.
When you have 4, the 3rd is
called a "Blue Moon"
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in imageJustin Su'a •
@Justinsua
In sports, an athlete's ability to quickly
flush a mistake is a competitive
advantage.
Here are some specific ways l've seen
professional athletes do it OOD
@drmitchie
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