Privileged Practice

I think it is very easy to take this practice for granted. We often think that having this practice is easy and accessible but to be honest not everyone has access to it. If course were in the year 2020 and yes yoga has become more accessible, thanks to the ones who have come before us and made it like that for us. But yes. Let's think about it. A yoga class is 10-20 eur. Maybe some classes are donation based. Or maybe some teachers provide a way for you do work work exchange. But it is still not a cheap amount for most. And it is also not easy to find a teacher who is willing to give you a let's say scholarship. Yes it is also online, but not everyone has access to unlimited internet, or phones or laptops or maybe even a yoga mat. 

And yes a seasoned practitioner will say you do not need all the fancy things. I agree. But you kind of have to learn the practice to know how to go about it. And to be honest I know how much of an investment that it, time-wise but also financially and effort-wise.

And we cannot blame the teachers as well. They have worked and studied for this. And as much as they want to give it out for free they know that it is important for the student to know the value of what they are getting. Otherwise it is not really appreciated and often taken for granted. Let's face it. The teachers also know that this practice is very hard and demanding to maintain. And they understand that not everyone can make this commitment and I think they also do not expect their students to have that commitment. But our human logic tells us if we're not doing it as the other one is, it does not count. Because it is not as impressive or they do it better. The trap of comparison is hard to avoid. And yes I am guilty of this too. I am often hard on myself. I try my best not to though. I try to think that this is a practice. It is not life. It is not the end all and be all of things. It just a part of it.

I like to think of it as a way to make everything else better. It is a method that will help me in my life and should not hinder me. It should not cause me to be separated from reality. Yoga feels good for the mind and for the body but it doesn't and it shouldn't separate me from the reality of the world. It's all and well in yoga land but to be ignoring the world I think is missing the point of the practice. And yes. We cannot also blame the people who do this. I mean I do this too. Avoiding news and avoiding mediums that I know will just bring me unpleasant things. We know it exist and we know somehow we can be contributing to it. 

I don't have the answers. I know not everyone can a give 2-3 hours of their day to their practice or 5 or 6 day a week. They have work, family duties, studies, and other important stuff. I would like to think of it that it is my way of sharing. I practice not only for me but also for those who wish they can allot this time and effort for themselves. I try to find a way to share it. Because yes sharing is caring. I find ways I can share - to be online, to be available in my best capacity, to be present and to be kind, to not judge. But words are easy and beautiful. Actions are so much harder.

I know this is a privilege practice. I don't kid myself that I am a philanthropist trying to save the world not wanting to gain anything. At the end of the day I also have needs that have to be maintained. And yes I could do with a lot less but I know there's also no shame in living a comfortable life. It's really such a complex thing.i think all we can really do is best effort. As I would like to believe we all do.

I want to share some good news. I have talked to Luke Jordan and he would love to visit us again in Antewrp in the spring of 2021. We're working on the details but do drop me a message if you are interested. I would like to know how many people we can count on so we can arrange as needed. 

I will open my home again coming weeks to practice physically with me. If you are interested, please do get in touch with me. The online program stays as well. And of you are interested in learning this method and you find that the stakes of the practice are too high - be it financially or physically, or time or effort, do have a conversation with me. Let me know because I would like to help if I can. It's my way of sharing my privileges. Big hugs. Stay healthy and happy and keep sharing. 

Love always <3
J