reflections reflections in in y yoga oga by Janet Elizabeth Rivera Reflect back, it’s March 2020 and your world is now all on a screen. You’re on Zoom making sure you’re muted and you’re at a good angle (or your camera is turned off), while being told to “just concentrate”. Then, anger consumes you because of the perpetual injustice to Black people and lack of accountability by and to the nation state which infuriates you even more. Then, your professors or colleagues make it harder to adjust by ignoring these topics. Grappling with this new reality is grueling because of the unrealistic expectations to adjust innately and with little to no resources. You may have a space where issues are discussed head on to hold the U.S. accountable and raise awareness about injustices, but these topics begin taking a toll on your psyche and body. For me, that space was an Education course I took during the spring quarter of 2020.
phenomenal person, a brilliant and inspiring scholar and educator. She is a powerful yoga instructor who introduced me to the seamless connection between yoga and education. Weekly, she never failed to instill yoga in some form, whether it be a breathing exercise, small meditation, or end of the quarter yoga session. Des emphasizes, “Yoga is a practice. There is no goal, there is no prize at the end. The reward is the mental, spiritual, and physical benefits that YOU experience. It’s a consistent practice.” She always reassured us that we should make the practice suited to our own bodies. My first experience with yoga was comforting as it is powerful and stays true to the person. It doesn’t ask for over-exertion, it meets everyone’s mental and physical capabilities and never asks for more. This genuine consideration to help people is what makes it powerful. Harsh experiences can manifest in our body. Yoga centers around taking a moment to listen to your body. Listening helps us indicate what our body is experiencing and how these practices are helping
My TA Destiny (Des) McLennan (Instagram) offered space to not only discuss class material, but also reflect on everything happening in the world and to us. Des is a Black woman, a
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