06/21/2023
I took “Intro to Yoga” at the College of Charleston as a freshman in 1999. Initially it was a way to balance out an academically dense semester filled with honors courses; little did I know it would become one of the most influential classes of my life. I practiced on and off for 10 years, more often than not, but always at different frequencies; because the class I took focused on philosophy as well as asana, yoga gave me a new way of perceiving my brain (which had been riddled with depression since I was 8 or so), my habits, my tendencies, and how to find a home in my body. This practice is one of my oldest friends, shows me how to return to myself, and never judges me—no matter how long I’ve been gone, or how much I f**k up. It is a path of deep inquiry, discernment, and finding an inner space that becomes accessible when we get still and quiet. My practice has shifted and evolved with me through the many stages of my life—like a vinyasa, a constant cycle of shifting, ebbing and flowing into the next space and growth. So much has changed within the yoga space over the past couple of decades, and I am so thankful to ever be a student as more Indian, Brown and Black teachers, LGBTQIA teachers, bigger bodies and differently abled bodies have started to speak out more and contribute to the larger conversation about what it means for yoga to “truly” be for everyone. I bow in honor and reverence to all the teachers before me and that will come after, I bow in reverence to the Source of all teachings, I bow in gratitude that I found this practice to always guide me home. Even within the International Day of Yoga, I have been made aware of possibly harmful intentions of its origins—yoga asks us to always question, always pose inquiry, always ask “why?” I will ever remain a humble student to the magnitude of this practice and the wisdom it offers to anyone who is willing or interested. The beauty of it is the more you learn, the less you know, so it becomes a life long quest of practice, of interest, of curiosity and of course fun!! I cannot wait to share the beautiful side that is with 29 beautiful humans tonight on this solstice nite💫