Dear Ones,
Doing my best to navigate my way out of the theater and onto the crowded and hypervigilant New York City streets after seeing West Side Story the other night, when I tripped over someone. As I righted myself, and turned to look at the man, without missing a beat, he barked at me, "It was your fault!" The hostility of his attack felt like a kick in the head. Wait. Didn't we both just see the same show? The one where the message is love your neighbor as yourself, or die.
The current threat of bad microbes invading our collective connective tissue, ironically leaves us feeling disconnected and seperate. Chief among the perils we face, is the spread of fear, loathing, and hard-heartedness. "Yes!" I could have replied to my fellow sourjourner outside the theater. "It is my fault. Thank you for keeping me accountable. How about a little kindness?" Or better yet, a rousing rendition of a cautionary song from the show...
Boy, boy, crazy boy, Get cool, boy, Got a rocket in your pocket, Keep cooly cool boy, Don't get hot, 'Cause man you got, Some high times ahead...
While we move through the world like bumper cars trying to stay out of harm's way, and bumping into everything anyhow, let's keep a sense of the view from the top of the mountain. Speaking of which, I am leading a Souljourn Adventure Yoga retreat with Kristin Bilella, to Peru May 22 - 31, 2020. Alongside exploring sacred Mount Machu Picchu, we will work with The Sacred Valley Project, an organization that makes it possible for girls from remote communities in the Andes to receive their high school degree and begin pursuing their dreams. Happy International Women's Day (March 8)!
Details and Sign Up HERE
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!
Yoga is more essential in my life than ever before. My practice invites me into a calm space out of which I mostly emerge resilient and whole, and find myself better able to be there for others.
TOMORROW I am offering a deep and supported dive into ways we can work together to uplift the global body, and exquisitely care for each other in this time of great need, and opportunity to grow.
Please join us Saturday March 7th 2pm to 7pm at Yoga Shanti Tribeca Trauma-Informed Yoga Basics. Think practical, experiential, creative, compassionate, collaborative, and courageous! None of us can do this work on our own. The workshop is suitable for everyone including people from disciplines other than yoga, who want to apply trauma-sensitive principles in their lives, and with different communities.
Details and Sign Up HERE
UPCOMING!
This Spring, I am dancing with lots of amazing folks in Deep Blue Sea by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company at The Park Avenue Armory - Aprill 14 - 25, 2020. In July, I will begin my residency as an Interfaith Chaplain in the spiritual care department at Mount Sinai Hospital. And it is a year away but mark your calendars now for the premiere of my new dance, The Invisible Project, at NYU Skirball in March 2021. Somethings to look forward to while staying present!
BUMP THIS! UNIONIZE YOGA!
Thank you to my friend and fellow teacher, Crystal McCreary, for lending her support to this powerful initiative. May our work together strenghten unity for all!
We are teachers at YogaWorks, NY. We've come together to have a voice in our industry and create a more equitabel and sustainable profession for all.
linktr.ee/unionizeyoga
Photo: A. Jesse Jiryu Davis - Thank you to my friend Jiryu for making space.
There's a place for us, Somewhere a place for us, Peace and quiet and open air, Wait for us, Somewhere
Yours Truly,
Keely
The Dancing Chaplain : )