The art of exposure

Lately, I have been questioning myself about the point & role of social media, in general but also in the Yoga “industry” or “community” to make it probably more “acceptable” as a word, though the first word would probably be more correct when it comes to what tends to be much behind social media, without any judgment but rather as an observation.

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I found myself struggling and hesitating at times about how to use this culture of image in a way that does not become too narcissistic and self imposing (in terms of images but also terms of opinions and ideas).

I love the idea of sharing diverse thinking, contemplations, ideas, news, and love to see myself grow through such exposure to other people’s ideas and experiences. Social media is also a phenomenal platform to reach and bring awareness on topics of importance. I love, I truly love that part.

I also love seeing my besties sharing as I feel part of their lives especially lately as we are far from each other.

I have valued this community of sharing immensely...but I did hit some kind of indigestion.

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Many questions have been emerging in my busy erratic mind: Should I adopt the social media “codes”, and try to get as many “likes” as possible because apparently the more “likes” you get, the straighter the road to Heaven seems to be, whatever “Heaven” is for each of us. The more likes we have, the wiser we seem to be...As a yoga teacher, undoubtedly I feel the pressure, like many of my peers, to somehow advertise for our yoga classes or sharings. But how to do it in a way that is keeping one’s integrity and authenticity is what is at the core of the discussion I wish to have and self enquire.

Should I push myself to learn digital marketing in order to be fully part of this virtual world and become some kind of influencer as if I needed to be heard? (note to myself!).

Should I pose in sexy poses & bikinis or/and sponsored yoga clothes/mats, preferably in handstands, because apparently such combination gets you more popular? As if our body shape and our capacity to do handstands (while being vegan of course) would make you and me more credible, including in the yoga teachings? We need to be visible on the net apparently...but I ask myself the question, “Really”?

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Argh....

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I struggle because I realise that I am part of the problem. As I write those words, am I not cultivating the narcissistic trend we risk to nurture?

Honestly, I ponder around all of this. I do not know. I simply do not know...

How can I manage to transmit what seems to be bursting from me at times? How to use such platform in a way that is helpful, to share thinking around things which matter to me, without creating more harm?

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Hmm...

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Tell me? Do I need to keep on posting yoga postures in order to talk about Yoga? This week, I asked you all that same question through a story poll, as I truly needed your help in this...Thanks to all who responded! I have immensely enjoyed the discussions with you on this topic.

Many of you, including me, enjoy the beauty of yoga poses as honestly, seeing the magnificence of a body expressing itself is a forever inspiration. We are our body as much as we are not. Fascinating.

However, the slight majority of you seem to be, also a bit like me, in limbo and confusion...and probably preferring to feel Yoga vibes transmitted in other ways...

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Now, what is the way? It seems that we have to co-create this together. How to nourish a community of sharing that is INCLUSIVE of all ideas, all bodies, all ways of being, of sharing that can be free from digital & marketing dogmas? Because really, there is no need to have a yoga posture to talk about yoga (note to myself again)...Furthermore, I do not have to expose my femininity in way which in fact does not make comfortable. Handstands in a bikini is not just not the celebration of femininity for me (ok ok, slight judgment here).

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How to transmit what is there to be transmitted while cultivating a spirit of doubt, inquiry and humility? Those are my questions for contemplation.

How to make sure that social media is serving us and not the other way around?

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Friends of this virtual platform, I truly have no answers but dears I have so many questions to ask you and ask myself.

Can the questioning be the beginning of the response?

In Love, always 🤍 ✨ 🤍