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.
The moderator called us a “dynamic duo.” I kind of smiled inside. Certainly my brother and I had illusions of animated cartoon grandeur when we were growing up; we were going to “take over the world!” But to be introduced that way in our first on-stage event of our lives was a bucket list moment.
(Inner voice asks) Have I always wanted to start a revolution? You betcha! And it’s true, I’ve had a hint of angst and sense of social justice from a young age. I can recall the chatter “that’s not fair” in my little 8-year old inner voice. Most of the time the “not fair” regarded not
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
Just B Yoga is honored to be included in a website-directory of businesses across the U.S. and Canada which use alternative economic models (free, work exchange, barter, donation, pay-it-forward). The site, Pay What Online Guide, is vibrant and rich with businesses off all kinds across the country. There’s restaurants like Panera Cares Cafe in Dearborn. There’s
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
Today, Just B Yoga will be participating in the first-ever #MeToo Teen Summit, with Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement. The summit is being sponsored by the Firecracker Foundation and is inviting teen survivors of sexual assault and supporters of those survivors. According to Tashmica Torok, director of the Firecracker Foundation, “This is
Last year I had the pleasure of meeting Nancy Candea, director of Yoga Impact and the International Yoga Therapy Institute. She had heard of the work Just B Yoga does with accessibility and inclusion and wanted me to share the concept with her teacher trainees in New Jersey via web cam. (see video below) It
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
The day-to-day life of running the studio and teaching can feel like the work grind that my students arrive at the studio complaining about at the end of the day. And just like everyone else’s “job” inspiration can wane. Not that I ever forget what we’re doing at Just B Yoga – providing yoga and
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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