World Is Woke

Tribe of goodness,


It's really quite a time in human history. We are all now 'woke;' the time has come and we cannot go back to sleep. The siren for racial justice has sounded and our attention is demanded; we must answer the call.  Many took to the streets for peaceful protest and were able to stand up in solidarity without threat. Others were subject to violence, either directly hit with tear gas or rubber bullets, or witness to others who were. Riots and looting took place across major cities in America, with Grand Rapids directly impacted with car fires, vandalism, looting and destruction of property. This is huge. People are angry, people are traumatized, yet no longer tolerant of injustice. 

This is not a time where if we wait long enough it will blow over. This movement to end police brutality and racial injustice is just getting started. The death of George Floyd was the catalyst for a global rising up of which we are all part; we get to choose what side of history we want to be on. A yoga teacher I know recently challenged the yoga community saying "Stop doing warrior poses if you are not going to fight." Read that statement again. Take time to process its meaning and implication in your individual life. Where have you been silent and where can you be a stand for racial justice?

During these days of social, economic & political unrest, chaos, and uprising, we must remember to take time to get into our bodies and resource ourselves with calm our minds and steady emotions.  If you, like me are part of the 'white privilege' we are called to humbly listen, learn and then, only then, take appropriate actions to help be part of a collective creation of a new world that works for all us! If you are a person of color, know we see you, we are listening and readying ourselves to come alongside. We are not expecting you to teach us, guide us through the process or help us understand our place in it; that is our job. 

Join me for our Wednesday evening gathering on Embody's Facebook page 6:30pm ET | 3:30 PT . We will focus on grounding into the present moment. Together we will slow down, breathe, and pay close attention to the here & now. We will ground into humility; ground into listening, learning, and embracing responsibility. Our practice will support our 'ability to respond' mindfully. 

Please join me and our tribe on your mat virtually. Invite your family and friends. Now, more than ever, we need to take care body, mind, and heart. Now more than ever we are called to live into the meaning of yoga which is union; to come together for the betterment of all. Now, more than ever, we need the promise of yoga which is moeksha/liberation and not just for you or me but for ALL of us. 

The time is now. We are the ones. We cannot go back to sleep. Let us take time to listen deeply, educate ourselves, and answer the call to act.

Yours in solidarity,
Dana

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"We must use time wisely and remember forever it's always time to do the right thing." Nelson Mandela