The Power of Vulnerability  

The yoga class setting provides the ultimate opportunity for connection to occur. Connection consists of failures, successes, connections, disconnections. Brene Browne, in her Ted Talk, discusses her academic research into connection, and her discovery of the element of shame, which is at its core, is the fear of disconnection. "The things that underpins us is excruciating vulnerability" This ability to reveal one's true self change the energy of a classroom in a beautiful way. Connecting with Street Yoga provides a path of support, healing and transformation that can actually begin to heal our world.
-- Alice Noyes, Community Manager 

 Yoga Speak: Imagine You Are Telling a Story 

 Leading a plethora of audiences can get tricky, especially when you are dealing with trauma, abuse or PTSD, to name a few.  When teaching yoga it is always fun to tell a story and play with the fact that poses can physically paint a picture.

I like using words that everyone can understand and connect with on a human level.  It is easy to get carried away with Sanskrit terms or fancy expressions.  Basic, universal terms, can allow your diverse group to connect on a deeper level.  For many, trying to twist or bend is already difficult enough.  Using clear or simple words, will help your students cultivate a sense of belonging and strengthen their practice, without further confusion.
Tell me a story, please...

-- Crystal Southcote, Blog Curator

The Song of the Self    

In yoga we aim for balance. We cultivate our abilities to experience many aspects of life at once: groundedness and lightness, stillness and movement, alertness and relaxation. Little by little, we become better able to step back from the messes of being human and witness ourselves with love and compassion. We create space to hold deep sadness with tenderness, defeat with hope, frustration with some shred of joy. We work to see other people as more than how they present to us, and ourselves as more than the single identity that feels strongest (addict, survivor, mother, child, employee...) But we must remember that this is all a practice. We make mistakes and sometimes it feels as though we have to start all over again. The unexpected hardships and immeasurable joys of life both challenge us and highlight parts of ourselves that we have perhaps never known.  

-- Jaime Hedlund, Program Manager