As yoga practitioners, many of us have experienced the heightened sense of awareness and subsequent mindfulness that can come as a result of our yoga practice. Self awareness is the practice of choosing to consciously jump into the depths of our weaknesses and unhealthy patterns instead of living unconsciously in the shallow waters of adequacy. When we stare our weaknesses and unhealthy patterns in the face, we only have two choices. Option one is to accept our own complacency. Option two is to see weakness as the step to growth. Think of this in terms of an asana (physical postures) practice. The first time you tried crow pose, you probably felt wobbly, a little weak or even a bit discouraged. Maybe you thought about giving up and saying that crow just wasn't in the cards for you. On the other hand, maybe you decided to break it down step by step and accept the challenge as inspiration to grow stronger. If we are open to it, yoga can be the tool that sheds light into the darkness of our own unconsciousness.
It was this very concept that prompted me to launch my Seva program. According to mindbodygreen.com, "'Seva" is a Saskrit word meaning 'selfless service' or work performed without any thought of reward or repayment." Instead of being complacent in the state of our local and global communities, I am asking you to stand with me as we reject our collective unconsciousness. Once a month, at Elite Ballroom Dance Studio in Morrisville, North Carolina, I will be teaching a 90 minute all levels yoga class with 100% of the proceeds going to support a local or global charity. The first class will be on Sunday, November 20th from 4-5:30. Your $10 will be going straight to Charity:Water to help bring safe clean drinking water to people in developing countries. Join me there in sharing the benefits of our yoga practice with this global community!