We are in a profound and important moment in our history, one in which we have been called to decide who we are, where we are going, and to move into action—whatever that might mean for each of us. Whether this is a tough conversation with a loved one, a move from the role of bystander to upstander in the face of racial prejudice large or small, or just sitting in a new understanding of our own complicity with racism. These actions are not intellectual exercises—they require a shift in our racialized nervous systems. (Resmaa Menakem)
Body sensation or lack thereof isn’t always accurate but it is always truthful. We can reconcile this neural paradox and make a shift when we are able to recognise our automatic, body-based responses to fear, notice them in real time, pause and create space around what they are telling (or demanding!) us to do, and instead make a different choice. This practice takes curiosity, vulnerability, and above all repetition.
In my capacity as Program Director for Mandela Yoga Project, I will be teaching Yin Yoga for Upstanders and Activists— and anyone who is called to racial justice work, tomorrow (Thursday Nov 12th, 6-7:15pm).
In this yin class you will be invited to sit in the experience of racial charge, providing the opportunity to practice noticing and pausing the nervous system response to this discomfort through tools such as breathe and grounding. You will begin to build the physiological capacity to support you in the crucial shift from an intellectual anti-racist stance to an action-oriented anti-oppression life.
This is a class for folks who identify as white. It is not meant to take the place of community somatic abolitionist work. Instead it is meant to enhance it and give additional space for somatic recognition, rewiring, and ultimately healing so that we are better able to act in accordance to our highest beliefs for the good of all.
Transforming our relationship to discomfort and to our stress response through yin yoga can be a first step to the internal change crucial to social and racial justice work.
The mission of Mandela Yoga Project is scaling delivery of trauma- informed yoga to public health crisis communities, led by trained residents. This class is donation based and all proceeds will go to MYP.
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