On Solidarity & Yoga
These two words are amongst my favorite words. There is an immense of expansion when I hear these two words or write them.
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As a yogini, I have been and I am still, trying to keep on evolving into parts of me that are radically authentic to me, with as little dogmas as possible so that I can be closer to my own nature (work in progress always!)…and if you are close to me on my teaching journey, you know that the art of being Oneself is at the core of my enquiry…
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The thing is: not everyone could have the same freedom to enquire and ponder as me. I am extremely cognizant of this inequitable worldwide reality as someone concerned about the state of the world but also as a humanitarian worker, I see it, I feel it and get confronted with that reality, over and over.
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It is quite clear to me that one cannot be oneself fully, if not everyone is. I know, I know these words sound utopic, yet they are real. Our yoga practice must, and I say “must” on purpose, include a dimension of the collective. The personal field is intrinsically linked to the collective field. It works together always.
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When you practice, you practice also for everyone. When you move, everything else moves…So the question I ask is “how could I/we move (in life or on my mat) in a way that supports everyone” and that is also part of the landscape of my personal enquiries and probably to many of you too.
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And here comes the second word which instills immense joy in me when I write or pronounce it: SOLIDARITY…and the power of communities.
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Solidarity is an important quality of the Heart (Hridaya, the Great Heart, in Sanskrit), a recognition of our mutual responsibility. It’s not so much a concept as it is a practice like yoga. We know solidarity by how we feel. Solidarity is how we cross borders we have not crossed before, how we understand struggles that have not been our own, how we meet people we haven’t met.
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In fact, this word has its roots in the Latin word “solidum” which means equally responsible for something. Solidarity is not just feel-good ally-ship. It’s mutuality that is rooted in our commitment to give something up for the sake of the whole, for the good of the collective. Unlike individualism which pits us against each other, solidarity understands that we are all needed in the struggle towards liberation and wellbeing; that what is possible can only be revealed in mutual relationship.
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With this spirit in mind, we are supporting a wonderful cause for @yogasportwithrefugeesglobal , to particularly support an initiative called “Swim for Good”. The classes will be held at the Cormoran and are on donation (and we are grateful to the Cormoran for not charging anything for the use of the space, merci!). All proceedings will go support the NGO and this project to offer swimming classes to refugees living in Lesvos. This is particularly important for people whose relationship to water is a traumatized one.
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I am forever blessed and grateful to be joined by many of you, and by 3 sisters of mine, also yoga teachers, whose hearts resonate into mine. Teaching (and co-creating) together will be as follows:
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Elodie @elodie.syllaleone on 11th August ;
Michelle @yogalabgeneva on 18th August ;
Claire @claire.lalande on 25th August.
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YAY to them for embarking on this journey with me! 🔥
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Are you ready to splash with us? 😍❤️
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Spread the word, Join us! Help this project! ✌️🧘🏾♂️🏊🏾♂️🧘♀️🙏🩵
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And then you splash into the lake for a swim or/and have apéro! 🍸🧋
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BRING YOUR OWN MAT! 🔥🔥🔥
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With all the love, mwah! 😘
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Maeva and all of you 🌺🌼
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Link to project supported: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ysrswim-for-good/
