Welcome Back Angelina!
Welcome to the official blog of Union Yoga. Maybe you’re a long-time yoga practitioner, or perhaps you’re considering rolling your mat out for the first time. Regardless of where you are in your practice, you have a place with us.
It’s the inaugural issue of the blog
I’m so excited to be able to connect with all of you in this way! I hold the roles of teacher and student at Union Yoga, but a military move has taken me across the country. Connectivity limitations in rural Virginia prevent me from teaching online for the time being, but my love for yoga and my eagerness to share this practice with others has not abated.
Before we launch into this weekly blog offering, I wanted to tell you a little bit about how things are going to work on this page and how it may relate to you.
First of all, I’m heading this blog thing off, but I won’t be the only one writing. Rex and I will be taking turns discussing various yoga-related topics. (Through time, I have no doubt that you will hear from other voices, too.) It’s important to us to be real with you about yoga and recovery. We all have stuff, and we’re going to normalize talking about it. The people who teach and practice at Union Yoga are real human beings with actual lives, unique strengths, and important stories to tell.
The other thing you might be curious about is when to expect to hear from us. The plan at present is to release a new post every Wednesday at 11AM. We want to be as reliable and consistent as your favorite yoga class.
The four yogis we hope to reach with this blog
The Newbie Yogi
One of my favorite parts of teaching yoga was inviting new students into the space at Union Yoga. When I responded to the phone messages at Union, some of my favorite calls were the ones I received from people who had signed up for their first yoga class. They wanted to know what to do and bring. They probably didn’t know what a bolster was. They wanted to figure out if this was a space where they could feel safe to take up a new practice. If you’re on the verge of dipping your toe into the practice of yoga, I still take my role as tour guide very seriously. Ask me anything!
The Yogi in Recovery
Union Yoga’s mission to support people in recovery from addictions and eating disorders is part of what sets us apart. I myself am in recovery from an eating disorder. (Gosh, it’s liberating to be able to say it for the whole world to see without feeling shame.) Union’s mission to support people like me was one of the ways I knew I was home from the moment I stepped into the studio. I’m not alone, though.
At Union, many students and teachers are in recovery. Over the lifetime of this blog, some of them may wish to share their stories with all of you. No, yoga is not a cure. It is, however, a powerful adjunct to various treatment programs. It is a tool for helping people stay on a healthy path. We welcome those in recovery with open arms and without judgement.
The “Too ___ ” Person
On that same theme of welcoming, I intend to reach out to the “too ____ ” people. Who are they? Well, the “too _____ “ people are those who have thought, I’m too _____ to practice yoga. You can insert any adjective, whether it’s purely descriptive or truly self-defeating into the blank, and you’ll see where I’m going. The fact is, anybody can practice yoga.
I believe with full conviction that every human being, regardless of size, shape, age, race, gender identity, ability, or socio-economic background can practice yoga and find some benefit from it. I wouldn’t be writing for Union Yoga if that conviction wasn’t widely held among my colleagues and classmates at the studio.
Too often the barriers to this life-enriching practice are built strong and reinforced by images that don’t speak to the reality of our human condition. Let’s smash some barriers. You are welcome here.
The Perpetual Student
The last group that I wanted to address are the practitioners that have been with us for a while and those who have carried this practice through many seasons of their lives. You show up consistently to class. You do the work and try your best to live out the practice beyond the 60- 75 minutes when we share physical space (or internet connection).
You’ve probably noticed that the teachers at Union Yoga are always taking some training or other. We’re always trying to build our skills so that we can be better for you, for ourselves, and for this place and time.
You understand that as you learn, you want to know more. As you learn more, you see the vast expanse of the unknown, and it thrills you. If this is you, this blog may be an opportunity for you to reflect on the true diversity of this experience of living yoga. Think about how far you’ve come and what you still want to accomplish. Ask lots of questions. We’re always students.
Our ears are open
So there you have it. That’s our plan. This writing is for all of you. We’d love to hear your questions, comments, and suggestions.
Union Yoga friends, students, and teachers, I miss you so much! If you’re new here, I’m glad to “meet” you in this way. It is my sincere hope that our paths will cross in person or online in the future.
Is there something you’d like to learn more about on the blog? Let us know!