With DC bars and restaurants and museums and libraries closing again, a quick note: your yoga teachers have been out of work for 9 months.

DC Unemployment is $137/month. Not to put too fine a point on it: my insurance went up to $555 a month.

Do the math.

Help a local urban farm get solar power. Donate here.

Why?

In the last 15 years, farm founder Gail Taylor has on-boarded me as a volunteer twice— the first was at a farm in Maryland, the second at my neighborhood hot yoga studio. Her patience and persistence and steady hand allowed others the chance to help— and boy I needed THAT help. Her guiding hand is one I trust and believe in. Help a helper.

Anyone wanna practice together today at 12?

Thank you to everyone who worked to get out the vote.

After being asked to denounce white supremacy, Donald J. Trump spoke directly to a neo-fascist white nationalist domestic terrorist organization and told them to “stand by.”

Are we as a nation so numb that we are not up in arms, figuratively or literally? I’m shocked that this was on the national debate stage; and shocked that this isn’t the headline in every major new outlet world wide.

The sitting president also said that he did not believe that the election could be legitimate this cycle, and that he would not peacefully transfer power, nor would he encourage peace during that time.

Instead, he encouraged his white nationalist followers to stand by.

Can anyone defend *not* voting him out?

A whole vibe.

4 years ago

7 years ago

I have 4 spots left for a 4 week course that will give you the tools to practice yoga on your own and in a group. It has an easy to follow structure that goes at your own pace, with a weekly live check-in for movement instruction and Q&A. First come, first serve. $60. Sliding scale available. PM me.

Hi loves!

Rooftop yoga-- today at 12, at Balance in Thomas Circle. Any takers?

Because ive watched people make ad hominem attacks on my behalf in order to further their racist agenda, I’d like to share other logical fallacies that show up when arguing with ignorant or agenda’d populations.

The one occurring here, when drawing comparisons to George Flloyd, is an ad hominem attack— that’s when we attack the character of an individual instead of the subject matter at hand. When folks do that with George flloyd, that’s often a proxy for the black community. This is racist tell, friends. Of course, racism happens, and if you’re comitted to being anti racist, this won’t hurt your feelings. If you aren’t committed to being anti racist, then this might hurt your feelings.

When the comparison between this poor little boy and the comparison is to talking points associated with anti racist discussions, meaning someone else (“race” is a someone else, so that would be ad hominem on all black folk), it’s a classic red herring— meaning it’s meant to distract you from the true culprit.

So, this little boy is being used as either a proxy for all whites assaulted or killed by black folks (something i take seriously, based on my history) using a dead black man with no correlation, or a total red herring, because these situations don’t have anything in common except media propagation.

I would ask what and why regarding the logic— and then what and why regarding the comparison.

For those that are “why aren’t we talking about this dead little boy? We’re talking about this dead black man” I would encourage deeper reflection about why you think that comparison is apt.

For those that are like “this poor little boy was killed by a black man” I would ask what you want from this conversation and why.

I'm enjoying "The Courage to Teach" -- thank you.

This makes me happy.

Have you seen this scooter???

I’m so grateful that i get this opportunity to share!

Funny enough, after all these years, i couldn’t put a picture together that could share what Maggie has taught be in a “before-after.”

@[34207430:2048:Maggie Lively], you have always inspired in me the tenacity to be my best self, and to this day you continue to push me, counsel me, and love me.

It is an honor to be your friend.

Here we go.

An unprecedented opportunity to learn Ashtanga Yoga, Functional Anatomy, Meditation, and Pranayama.

225+ Lessons, 1250+ Videos. Group classes. Offices hours.

Our inaugural cohort begins Sept 7. Early bird ends very soon.

9 years ago— my oh my, I’ve been doing this outdoor yoga thing for a loooooong time. I remember posting this.

A way forward.

Now this is *news*!

I think I'm the Andrew for my obtusely raciat side of the family.

PRIDE YOGA: Tomorrow! Join us from 10-11:30 for an opportunity to be proud of all that you are-- pride yoga!

How was this four years ago?

So much "can't erase history" stuff, and I am gonna take it on face value that y'all don't really understand ( a VERY charitable read rn).

Lemmie break this down for ya:

Say you came over and put a statue up in my front yard-- one that was in the image of the men who have verbally and physically assaulted me over the years. How do you think it would make me feel?

Now, lets make it spicy: that statue, lets say it was built to highlighting the virtuousness of the men who harassed, hospitalized, and hurt me?

Do you think I'd wanna come home? Do you think I'd wanna be anywhere near it?

Would you like to see the face of your tormenters every day comin' and goin? "History is history" really feels like "suffer, bitch."

A power house. Join her at 7, for a powerful talk on what it means to get “a seat at the table!”

Why won’t you say “Black lives matter?”

Hiii! Thinking of you and sending love!

Really truly are the best.

63% of trump voters cant bring themselves to feel favorably about the sentiment “black lives matter. ” 73% of trump voters oppose demonstrations/rallies. This is why we said what we said and and we say what we say. Black lives matter.

I love Shelby’s greenpoint apartment! Rent it!

Outdoor yoga, this Tuesday! 5:30/6-- Who's in?

Outdoor practice, Logan Circle. 9:30. Join!

Headed into Logan to practice for a few. Anyone wanna join?

Here’s hoping my friends in Montana are out there in the (rural) streets.

I have been on a learning journey with friends on the topic of police defunding— or perhaps it could be called “resource re-allocation”— anywho, i liked these infographics!

Are you trying to understand? I believe in you.

"I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Birmingham city jail

Today’s a great day to educate yourself a little— the thread is full of helpful links for further edifying yourself.

Hi team! It's your friendly neighborhood yoga coach! Balance gym is at it again— matching donations and elevating queer POC’s voices.

One of the seminal yoga texts, the Bhagavad Gita, has the story of a Arjuna, a young Archer, going to war to fight injustices (against his cousins, no less). He grapples with the concepts of pacifism, patience, and change-- aren't Yogi's suppose to be peaceful??

“Inaction is action,” Krishna tells him. He shows up as his chariot driver, guiding him to find a right action In his confusion and concern. Krishna doesn’t want anyone to get hurt! Especially not his cousins... but as Krishna reminds him, sometimes it is a greater injustice to nor Fight for peace.

If you are a practitioner looking for a way to help stop injustice, and your money goes further than your arrows, please consider doing the yogic thing and donating.

Balance gym will match your donations!

Jenny is an incredible educator and friend. Here's her note home to her 4th grade.

Balance gym will match your donation, with a $1k cap. Let’s do this.

My partner/family was tear gassed today in front of St John’s Episcopal Church during a peaceful protest. This was on our presidents order. It’s not some kind of fake news.

It was a peaceful protest.

How is it conscionable to gas Americans for peacefully protesting during a pandemic?

If you’ve said more about the protesters than the murder, you’ve really said more than enough.

What is your husband doing to stop white supremacy today?

Thanks, mom.

A powerful read.

I drew a line in the sand a few years ago to no longer hold close to my heart those who could not hold my community in their own. What community?

"Other." The marginalized. My community lives in a second America.

If you want to make America great, it means dismantling systems of oppression. That starts at home, with you.

Dear White folks, Straight folk,Christians.

Give this a read, tell me what you think.

https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies

I've never. Is this the year?

What does it mean to go to a place like Ecuador in order to create and participate in economy? And how does one do that in a respectable, regenerative, respectful way?

Ask Kristen.

She and her partner Juan are growing cacao and heirloom cacao in a regenerative food forest with zero waste.

The optics in this post hit close to home.

I try not to dress up in a costume for the purposes of selling you the product of yoga. I can’t actually sell yoga yoga— and sell you my time.

My time as a practitioner, a seeker, a student, and a finder. And as a yoga facilitator/teacher/guide, it’s why you don’t see me in my dhoti very often... And why i tend to only wear my mala when I meditate.

There are so many ways to signal your desire to be seen as aspirational— biceps and bindis and baba harem pants. Andean throws. The thing is, when you have something valuable to share, you want to share it.

When you have devoted your life to something, you hope that you can make enough money to keep devoting your life to it. And, you might even try to sell the image of the thing using appropriators prints.

It’s a tricky thing... this authenticity piece. I love that Kristen and Juan encourages folks to make of all of it what you will.

In the mean time... should I teach you to handstand, shirtless?

Meditation and Breathwork at 5 today. Wanna join? HMU.

Wear your fucking masks -- especially if you’re biking or running. You’re making the rest of us who mindfully go outside look like selfish pricks — and youre endangering others, too.

Are you feeling stressed? Hungry for no reason? Irritable?

How about overly sleepy? Lethargic? A feeling of general malaise?

You might need to relax your system-- and I'm not talking in a shmaltzy bubble-bath-y way (please note: I love a bubble bath).

If you're nervous system is all high-strung right now, it might be so high that you can't even tell except for some of the above... you're just kind of in a bad mood. Sound familiar?

If you've had trouble getting back to a feeling of being centered, I recommend putting a tool in your toolkit that ca help.

Here's a strong technique that works.

What workshop would you like to see?

Love this.

Need some evening practice? Join one of my favorites as she shares the Traditional 26+2

Gold’s Gym is shuttering 30 locations. YogaWorks is leaving NYC. Friends: please support your local fitness clubs and yoga teachers.

Looks SO FUN!

Happy birthday!

Tomorrow is gonna be *way* fun 🙂

A 30-Minute Yoga Class Helping to undue whatever it is that work from home has done to your shoulders and back!!

Ready for another 30 minute live stream for undoing all that pesky work-from-home-ing in the upper back and shoulders? See ya tomorrow at 730am in the Balance Gym Facebook page!

I'm goin' to Nashville (virtually!) to help YOU build a better wheel!! My buddy Cory is hosting me at his Shala since we can't be together in person... And I am stoked!

Am I too old for kids yoga??

A beginners refresher.

Up Sunday:
9am: 30 minute session on Balance Gyms Facebook page.
10am: Mysore style ASHTANGA yoga tomorrow with DC Ashtanga on Zoom!

I have a 30 Minute Live Stream courtesy of Balance Gym at 11 and a 75 Minute Ashtanga Remix on Zoom courtesy of DC Ashtanga at 11:30. You in?

Building a powerful pigeon.

Jon works with colored pencils and a big heart. $150 for a print to support LGBT youth.

30 minute Core Focused Vinyasa — from beginner strength building movements for the core and shoulders all the way up to arm balances .

Led 1/2 & 1/2 starts at 9am on Zoom!
I am *so* excited!

Kids Yoga!

30 minute mornings routine with some extra side bending!

I'm going live at 12pm from Balance Gym on facebook live 🙂

Catch one of my faves doing one of my faves!

Join one of my favorite humans of all time for three of her favorite things: running, yoga, YOU!

Livestream a short-form primary series, today at 1:30-- right here.

Molly and I have been friends for more than 15 years. She has been a community organizer, artist advocate, and entrepreneur. Her company, Heartcast Media, produces one of my favorite podcasts, the DC Yoga Podcast.

If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, now's an incredible time. Do it.

30 minutes of shoulders!

I’ve got a 30 minute Facebook Live yoga class focusing on shoulders! I’ll be coming to you from the mid city den zen courtesy of Balance Gym tomorrow at 7:30am!

Wanna be prepared? Grab an old belt (or yoga strap), and have a block (or a: couple of books, a lazy pet, a coffee can).

Mister Gates done been told us, y’all.

His footnote on how preparedness also helps create a more “just” society while also keeping the economy ~3 trillion dollars stronger maybe is more than a footnote.

I have made a pivot towards online offerings— but the question becomes more existential. As someone who functions as a manual therapist *and* a facilitator/ of an indigenous practice that changes the mind and body radically... is my vocation dispensable? My life’s work?

Surely not— but we do need protecting.

And we done been known.

Also how I started my morning.

How i started my morning.

I worked at the improv during that impressionable 21-28 time frame. I am so grateful for that time. Night after night i got to watch masters hone their craft. Words, wit, and dynamic performance art... all at the same time. The relationships forged there— my friends, my own art, and with incredible artists... Wow. Please help if you can!

Maggie’s got a zoom class with the ASHTANGA Nation Crew on Friday morning — I’m sure she’d let some DC Ashtangi’s come in and practice led primary... but guys. You gotta see those kids videos.

So who wants to hop on a self-practice group session today?

Here’s today’s class!

Balance is out here saving the DAY

Who wants to practice at 12:00? Message here for the livestream link.

To all my friends and colleagues out there— stay strong. We will weather the storm. To those feeling a fiscal pinch and perservering, I see you. To those doing heavy lifting with emotional labor—thank you. The struggle is real, but we are resilient.

Sending y’all good vibes and virtual high-fives. Nows a great time to flex on that discipline and compassion front. Holla.

San Fran Friends!!

I’m starting a free 30-day get started program for anyone interested in building a sustainable yoga practice from the ground up. It starts at just 10-minutes a day and builds.

Interested? It’s free and online and supported via the group.

Hit me up, and I’ll invite you to our little group.

Interested in a structured permaculture learning environment?

Calling all yogi-runners and runner yogis!

So cool!

Are you an ASHTANGA practitioner in DC? This is for you!

Here is an explanation or intersectional analysis as it relates to the Kobe story. I found it useful.

I don’t know anything about current athletes who aren’t gay and shirtless, so I only know of Kobe by how much he meant to a lot of people. When I saw he died, I said “oh wow.”

Later, I said, “didn’t he get accused of rape or something?”

My news feed is filled to the brim with stories of sexual assault— stories of black men, Indian men, and white men— and they are all intense and complicated and people hold these men up high on pedastels while others say to tear them down and distance themselves. I’ve taken down the smiling visage of one such Indian man.

But guys, can’t we think more deeply?

You asked for it— and here it is.

A weekly Led Primary, and weekly evening mysore! Get em while they’re hot-hot-hot!

I’m teaching a weekend long applied anatomy workshop (12-5!) at VIDA this weekend. Interested? Message me!

117 homeless Washingtonians have died in the last year. This is up more than 100% compared to the previous last year.

2 million dollars was spent on an art installation designed to keep homeless people out of an underpass— not for safety, but because of community aesthetics.

The building the crew club is in on 14th street sold for 2 million.

I’m all for public art commissions— but c’mon. We can hang shitty LED lights, but not help our most vulnerable at the very least stay safe from the elements?

How much housing can 2 million buy?

Converting from wordpress to square space-- thoughts?

Putting the finishing touches on an Ashtanga Practice Intensive-- a deep dive into the history, philosophy, pedagogy. In-person, on-line, and for those interested, includes Mysore. Right around 300 hours, but really, a whole lifetime of study.

A little pic from "People for Animals"-- India's largest animal welfare organization...about 7 years ago

a reminder from someone on the path a good bit longer than me. Thanks, DG.