In my classes, I am trying to keep it as real as it gets. Stay committed to being alive. Breathe consciously into your body, even if it is for one hour a day, do it!

IN STUDIO

This month I set my intention to commitment. I really also want to get off social media, and commit to staying off. Have you watched Master of None? In one of the episodes, he mentions that we live in 'cancel culture'. I remember how much that really resonated with me, and I automatically felt strange. I find there to be a direct link between commitment and 'cancel culture'. Right about here, is a good time to mention, that I am not referencing to cancel culture as most people know it, which is to cut off a person from their social or professional circles. In wikipedia they call it a modern form of ostracism. The episode was referring to how now that we all have cellphones, we can cancel at any moment, and make any excuse. Where prior to cellphones, we made a date and stuck to it...we showed up! I have been participating in the “cancel culture” of Master of None, for forever. I don't feel strange or awkward when I write to someone that I can't meet them, that I can't make it...that I won't be there.

Back in the day, I most probably felt a slight shiver of uncertainty maybe even fully guilty or bad for canceling. Now, I just roll with it, moving on to the next.

This is AWFUL!!! It trickles down to all facets of our lives. I made it part of my practice to cancel... and so many others around me did also, that in fact, we held the same value.... Newsflash! There are others though, whom behold different values, and a totally different commitment to space, time, relationships, culture, work, politics, and yes yes the earth!

Someone takes the time to set aside an afternoon for you, or evening, or is getting ready to do X, Y, Z with you, and suddenly they get stopped in their tracks, with a message: Sorry, I can't make it today..

Can you relate at all?

It is hard to make decisions. When I was younger, I remember we would often say, that we will meet with people that we were friendly with but we didn't really meet them(except for when you did, on the street, or at an event) then you would chat a for a bit, and set a date...and boom cancel. Also I remember friends feeling anxious, and stressed about canceling, because that person would think poorly of them. So we learned to say NO.

What a game changer, saying no, so you don't have to cancel. Well all of a sudden you have a whole lotta space to maneuver with. So perhaps these are growing pains?

When we are raised in “cancel culture' though, it trickles down into very fundamental parts of society and the status quo. We can become automatically exclusive without at all caring about how our lifestyle, and way of life affects others...we just cancel, don't look at it and move on. I am really truly sad about this state of affairs.

We have made everything disposable.

How do we cultivate a sense of commitment? How do we work on boundaries, and yet value the fruits of the practice by remaining committed???

Most people will tell you to start small. Take little baby steps, start where you are, no matter what start, and then adjust.

I am finding that staying committed to the November hot room challenge is a breeze in terms of my loyalty to showing up, and doing the work, but yeah, schedule wise it has been very intense. I literally need a class at ten in the morning. Do you? Is that a good time for you?

Can't be bothered? Don't want to drag yourself out of the house it's dark anyways... you want to cancel your reservation??? HA! I feel you.

And YOGA GARDEN ONLINE has got you! Stay at home, and practice with us. Don't bother getting outta your lounge wear.

Our very new Yoga Garden ONLINE is here! This is setting the score! Stay committed to your practise. Show up daily on your mat to BREATHE to build strength, show up however you want but do something really awesome for your body. Even just twenty minutes a day. This daily engagement, creates confidence, and progression, and you will be so grateful that you invested in yourself.

What would you be willing to commit to right now

In my classes, i am trying to keep it as real as it gets. Stay committed to being alive. Breathe consciously into your body, even if it is for one hour a day, do it! Build compassion in your practise so that you have the tools to do it off the mat too. Build a sense of confidence that being alive and just being(without needing to do anything) is enough! Give yourself this opportunity to be alive.

Finally, of the most important commitments in my life, is a sense of community. It is not easy to build community, or solidarity. Especially if people have totally different opinions or experiences of these two realities. I have always been blessed with incredibly supportive, artistic, creative, activists, even revolutionary circles of people

It has always been my intention with yg to create a beautiful space that will inspire the solidarity. Our vision to work hard to change things, that are challenging, and also out dated, and maybe need re evaluating...

We always wanted the studio to be alive even when classes aren't happening. For Yoga Garden, to be a place where people feel comfortable enough to gather and plan.

We have so many incredible things lined up for you that all I need from you is to be COVID NEGATIVE, please self test and come prepared, to all our classes and events with a negative test or vaccination (even if you are vaccinated, it is a good practice to test)

Sending you lots of love and see you in the classes! Christina and YG gang.

P.S Covid killed the Party so our anniversary on 27.11 is cancelled… Virus is making its rounds again, please stay on the negative, test frequently and be safe.