“What better day than our Inauguration Day for us to maybe keep in mind our greater connection? “So, what is it that we wish to send out, not just what we want to develop for ourselves on our mat? …But maybe we can then carry that in how we help one another, in how we listen to one another and how we forgive one another. “
Acceptance of what happens is certainly a worthwhile chew for our times. The pandemic and our fight for freedom, justice and equality can stir discontent. At least it keeps our focus on what’s wrong and the need to fix. It can feel like acceptance means we are OK with the state of the world. It doesn’t.
All yoga teachers must be wary of ego as we step into daring to say we “teach” yoga. It’s a slippery boast to say we know this sacred practice of enlightenment and can help others navigate the path. For those of pale-skin European blood, saviorism is particularly insidious and to be called out in this
White yoga has a lot of work to do acknowledging appropriation and authoritarianism BEFORE trying to extend an olive branch to communities of color, especially in the temperature of today.
From the fear and uncertainty and grief of the pandemic, to the rage and fury of the continued racial oppression-terror-erasure in our country, I have asked my creator, “what am I to do or say?” As an Afro-Asian woman of color, as a trauma survivor, as an elder, I ask it. As a mentor to
The Covid-19 crisis is shining a bright light on the digital and social divides in our culture, just at a time when we need to unify the most. A significant portion of our population (Just B Yoga included) is privileged to remain connected via social media, teleconferencing and web cast meetings. We’ve transferred the way
Peace isn’t a place. It’s not somewhere we go to. It’s not something we practice in a special room or at a special time. Peace isn’t a feeling. It’s not your inner “high.” It’s not a tingle that makes you pleased with yourself. Peace is a time. A time that’s detached from reaction
I honestly haven’t thought much about the components of hope. And I sit and think about everything! It had become a word that was a bridge conveying a desire. Hope FOR something else. It also is a trademark symbol of the Obama campaign. Today I am humbled by the depths of what I’ve come to
Recently, while at a protest against the separation of children from their parents at the southern border, I found myself surrounded by friends. It seemed every few moments someone came up to give me an embrace. I was touched at how many people I know from different walks of life, some attached to Just B
When we roll out our yoga mat we are often seeking solace and peace and refuge for our bodies, minds and spirits. That refuge should not be hoarded and used solely for self-soothing and pampering. We owe it to our practice and our consciousness to step forth from our refuge, strengthened, emboldened and empowered to
Just B Yoga founder, Belinda Thurston, has been contracted to work with the Ingham County Health Department to revise its Health Equity and Social Justice Workshop. The workshop has been doing groundbreaking work for nearly a decade, training employees and the public about how privilege and oppression affect access to public health. Belinda is being
Facebook message to Just B Yoga: “…Also, in response to Thursday’s post, does the studio’s philosophy of diversity & inclusion extend to those who are non-political or who have alternative political views? I presume the answer is yes… (Alternative, as in alternative to yours.)” Of course my answer was yes. And this blog post could
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