Mariela’s Sunday Thoughts: Karma

The opening week of the studio had me thinking about Karma. Last week, as I was telling the story behind why I started Grounded, someone told me “well, don’t worry: karma will get them.”

This person’s hope was for the people that hurt me to get what they “deserve”, aka: karma.

In the yogic philosophy, Karma talks about conscious action, purposeful leaving, and personal growth. In yoga, karma is about transiting the path of unselfish existence.

Instead of expecting everyone to get “what they deserve” based on their actions, we put the focus on ourselves, bow to do the best we can to contribute to the greater good, and we do it from a selfless place with the intention of just creating a better moment for all, rather than expecting to be rewarded later.

I learned selflessness from my dad. He was the type of guy that would go around lending a hand to people without being noticed. He’s fixed neighbors’ fences without being asked, he’s immediately forgiven and understood people who wronged him, he’s bought text books for students that could not afford them and, without telling them about it, he dropped them off at their doorstep. He even had a running tab at the local ice cream shop in case they saw an unhoused person in need of an ice cream. That’s the kind of person my dad was, and that’s the kind of example he gave us.

When he passed away, my mom started receiving cards, phone calls, and messages from people she had never met, telling her little stories about how my dad had helped them in one way or another. 

He would do good, for the sake of doing good, for the sake of being good, for the sake of existing within “good”.

My dad was one of the greatest yogis I’ve ever encounter. And he never set a foot anywhere near a yoga studio.

A question I ask myself very frequently is “how can I honor Omi today?”. Omi was the nickname we all had for my dad, a very sweet, caring way to call those people named Omar.

Omi was kind, honest, hard-working, and so incredibly chill. He would not get involved in drama, he would let things go outstandingly quickly. He would often say “what are you holding on to that for?”

He would ask the questions that would make you think. He was a yogi.

Grounded exists to offer good, to contribute to good, to teach good, to show good, and to learn good.

A few days ago when I, like many other times, asked myself how to honor Omi, an idea came up: what if Grounded was more accessible for those who need that accessibility? What if Grounded was truly open to everyone? What if we could implement Karma Yoga a bit more into our daily actions?

So now, as I humbly try to honor my dad the best I can, I’m asking you for your help: if you know of anyone that needs a little financial assistance to come practice, learn, breathe, rest, and get stronger, please let them know we have options for them. 

All because my dad was a yogi.