"Don't tell me to calm down."

“Don’t tell me to calm down.”

That was the subject line of a newsletter I received last night from a yoga professional.
It got my attention. I want to share with you a piece of it and then a few thoughts of my own.

Jurian Hughes writes:

“I’ve said it before…My intention as a yoga teacher is to practice and inspire authenticity and full self-expression. Because all of us have the right – and sometimes we need the encouragement – to be more fully who we are.

Yoga means union. In effect, living yoga means living in harmony; authentically – living our lives so that what we think, feel, say and do are one…”

She also says:

“I’m shocked, furious and heartsick over today’s SCOTUS decision. But we the people still have the power – to vote, to march, to rally, to demand, to donate, to make phone calls to senators and to send postcards to citizens, to inspire every person we know who is numb or complacent to wake up and vote.

Yoga means union. It does not mean inaction. It does not mean letting someone else do the work. It does not mean sitting on the sidelines. If you care, please join me in using your voice to say what matters to you.” Jurian Hughes

That is exactly what I needed to hear. My yoga teacher and mentor, Kristine, often says yoga helps us know who we are, and when we know who we are, we know what to do.

To me, it’s about understanding how to live ethically, how to treat each other and ourselves compassionately, and how to prepare our bodies and minds to go inside and discover who we truly are. And then make sure that we take action that is in alignment with our deepest values and convictions.

So there’s the connection between what happened yesterday and why I practice and teach yoga. It’s not an escape from the world. It’s knowing who I am and what I consider most precious. It’s about preparing my body and mind, including supporting myself with appropriate movement and rest, so I can show up in the world fully present and know how I can best serve.

I have much to learn as both a yoga practitioner and a yoga teacher, but that's OK. It’s a practice.

If you’d like to join me, check out my Learning Center.