Mariela’s Sunday Thoughts: Unity
Earlier this week, we had a big announcement: something that had been on my mind since the idea of Grounded started coming to life (May) and in the works since the day we opened (June 15th).
One of the reasons for Grounded to exist was to embody one of the, in my opinion, most important principles of the yogic filosophy: unity.
I was tired of the “clickiness’ in which the Western yoga world seems to operate. I was tired of navigating an environment of comparison, control, micro-management, and appearances. Eventually, the clickiness of the environment I was in turned into pure racism and discrimination, so I removed myself from that space knowing I needed to offer something different.
When I started meeting with teachers and inviting them into the project, they all expressed in one way or another, the need for an environment that has no expectations: a place where people can just be themselves, whoever they are at that moment.
So as the opening date was approaching, I reached out to Lily, owner of Encore Pilates across the street, opening on the same day as Grounded. We came together to offer you guys the Flow Pass, a punch card you can get that allows you to take classes at either studio for $5 off each drop in. We’ve had that partnership in place ever since.
I also reached out to Kerri, owner of Sandpoint Hot Yoga whom I admired already by just having heard stories about her. We met during the first week Grounded was open and a meeting that was supposed to last a half hour turned into spending an entire morning together, coming up with ideas to bring unity, collective, and community to Sandpoint.
We’ve been working on the Fire and Earth Pass since that day, and we have plenty other ideas we’ll do together that are coming up. All focused on sending the right message: we are one.
Our announcement was met with excitement and cheer from the community, and we can’t wait to start seeing you guys use the pass, explore both studios, take the different classes, meet the amazing teachers, play with the different temperatures.
On a personal note, this collaboration meant a huge deal to me. Kerri owns the oldest yoga studio in Sandpoint. She has been doing this for over a decade. She has been part of the community and provided and inclusive environment with the kind of humility that just touches your heart. She embraced me immediately and, at a time that I was made to feel I wasn’t wanted here, she welcomed me home.
The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to yoke, bind, or unite. It’s common to practice, at any given yoga class, the mind-body-breath connection, a self-centered interpretation of yuj. However, in depth yoga teaches us to recognize that we are not separate from the rest of the universe, but an active part of all living things.
In the practical world we live in, and interesting way to explore this is by collaborating, helping, assisting. The selfless act of being there for each other, the chance to connect with compassion and maybe be brave enough to think about walking in each other’s shows.
The Fire and Earth Pass is more than just a chance to take different classes at different studios: it’s a chance for people to be shown they belong, they’re seen, embraced, appreciated. It’s peace, presence, openness. It is Yoga.
A simple journaling (or thought/meditation) prompt to connect with Yuj:
Morning: Start your day by helping those around you. If this is something that’s part of your regular routine (let’s say you always make coffee for your partner or prepare breakfast for your family), bring your attention to the fact that you are doing something for someone else. Maybe you’re feeding your pet, maybe you’re preparing for the work day ahead so the people affected by your work can be benefitted. Write down a few sentences about what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for (e.g. “I’m lovingly taking my dog for a walk”).
Evening: think (or write) about how you were part of someone else’s life today (e.g. “My partner enjoyed the meal I prepared for them”, “The cashier appreciated the short yet engaging conversation we had during check out”)