#yogaforthepeople

[newkindalibrarian-blog]

Access to the Sacred: The Case for Yoga in Libraries

We can’t all afford the $80-$100 (or more) a month it takes to get on the mat at a studio. Don’t get me wrong: Yoga teachers are amazing and studios need to make enough to pay them and the rent, but there’s a serious access problem with one of our countries most popular ways to relax, get fit, and meditate. And, economics are just the beginning. Limited transportation, time constraints, and child care all play a role. Then, there are cultural aspects to consider. Some people will simply not come across a Yoga class anywhere in their lives, so it wouldn’t occur to them to practice (although studies do show awareness of Yoga is becoming more prevalent). 

The public library is (often) an accessible space that breaks a lot of these barriers, making it the perfect spot for free Yoga for all. Libraries can frequently be found on public transportation routes and in town and city centers. For some in rural areas, there is nowhere in town that will be totally convenient and accessible, but for those in suburban and urban settings, the public library is often easy to get to. This is a big deal for those without cars or without licenses. It’s also a big deal for those who are without homes and need to be during the day. 

Single moms and moms are big users of the library! We offer so many programs and free information resources to families. We are used for homeschooling families all the time. Sometimes, coming to the library is a way for moms to have playdates without having their homes destroyed and sometimes it’s a nice way for mom to read a magazine while her kids use the computer or play with our many toys. If you have young adults, you might even be able to let them hang at the library by themselves. (That’s not a suggestion to make librarians de facto baby-sitters! Really make sure you know the rules for leaving your young one alone in your specific public library.) If your children are able to roam free, it is the perfect chance for you to get your Yoga on. There are even some classes for baby and mama or for young kids and their parents. 

And, let’s face it: Yoga is often thought of as something that twenty-something or middle-aged white women with flexible incomes get to do. Men, people of color, and teens (and others) don’t necessarily feel welcome in the Yoga world. That said, there are some studios that offer classes for those groups in particular, but it is not the norm for Yoga to be “marketed” this way. Think of offering Yoga in a community center, though, where people come all the time after school or just to hang out or as a place to stay warm in the winter. Suddenly there is the opportunity to offer this often exclusionary practice to people who would not otherwise have access. Or, to folks who simply do not feel welcome in a studio. 

We offer so much at our libraries. Books, audio, magazines, and newspapers, of course, but now we’ve got games, toys, cake pans, ukuleles, and even packed hiking backpacks and bicycles. We have free book groups, programming, English as a Second Language tutoring, citizenship corners, and sometimes notary and passport services. We give away so much for free, why wouldn’t we include this practice that has been proven to increase confidence, reduce stress and anxiety, and to create community? 

And, that’s another thing. Health is a human right. Libraries fight for equal access, literacy, intellectual freedom, and (their newest core value) sustainability, amongst other things. Access to resources that could improve your mental and physical health for FREE are necessary in a society that is increasingly unhealthy and unhappy. Especially when that unhealth disproportionately affects communities of color and other folks who have traditionally had less access. 

In a planetary sense, we need mindfulness, meditation, and Yoga-- and we need it bad. Whether people want to admit it or not, we are killing our Earth. This means things are gonna get a whole hell of a lot worse before (if ever) they get better. Finding ways to slow your thoughts, come into the present moment, and make effective choices will only help us in the climate disruption to come. If those practices help us make better decisions about how we are living and using resources now, so much the better. 

Yoga is an information resource that helps you think more clearly, find more ease, and deal with life’s traumas. Everyone deserves access to sacred space, where things move slower and time is taken to sink into the body. Everyone has a right to embodiment. In a culture where we spend a huge portion of our time with screens in our faces, it’s no wonder we get caught up in thinking mind. It leads to chronic busyness, depression, and a million other unpleasant effects that we can all attest to. Yoga and libraries are a perfect match and we librarians need to start fighting for EVERYONE’S right to experience these practices.

[maureendinkins]

I am excited to announce I will be teaching the Thursday night class at 6pm at @yogamixorlando.The class will be streamed LIVE online so NO EXCUSES to miss a class! 2019 has been a year of changes. After 15 years, I completely stopped teaching yoga & practicing Ashtanga. It was time for me to listen to my own inner being, my own heart & to find some personal truths. Now I'm ready to start teaching #YOGA again. Please join me beginning Thursday, January 2nd at 6pm in class or online. #yogaforeveryone #yogaforthepeople #yogamix #yogadowntown #orlandopeeps #orlandoyoga #downtownorlando #orlandoyoga #orlandoyogis #yogaonline #livestream #beginneryoga #advancedyoga #intermediateyoga #armbalance #stretch #yogafitness #meditation @arayxo @al__rose @amanda.velz @yogawithcarly (at YogaMix Orlando) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QCYvjBL9u/?igshid=9z975x1443a8

[wellnesswithkashi]

Join me for some heavenly Yoga this weekend! ❤️ Tonight (FriYay) 6:15pm Heated Hatha Happy Hour 🔥 Tomorrow (Saturday) 9:30am pHIIT Yoga 💪🏼 @trinityyoga 🧘🏻‍♀️ #yoga #totherescue #yogaforthepeople #heatedhatha #hiitworkout #hiityoga #phiit #breatheinbreatheout #lettinggo #building #forwardmomentum #shining #love #sharing #peace #comeasyouare #mtevans #reflections #heaven #namaste #happy #wellnesswithkashi (at Trinity Yoga & Massage, Inc.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OhNlKH3fRo8iC1NmKxds3FUMYTicsWAn_TuA0/?igshid=3itajsqr61ct

[theabundantyogini]

looks amazing Posted @withrepost • @314yoga Repost from @thecollectivestl using @RepostRegramApp - See you on the mat tomorrow night. Tuesday 6:30 #yogaforthepeople #blackyogis #stlouisyogis #stlouis #yogainspiration https://www.instagram.com/diannebondyyoga/p/Bun7sNUDz2S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1geyz9ti5cz5i

[curtislipdown]

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DON'T YOU LOVE WHEN YOGA INSTRUCTORS EXPLAIN STUFF IN A SOFT COLONICKEY VOICE?! "THE FIRST CHAKRA IS THE ROOT CHAKRA. IT IS RED, LIKE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR REALITY."~ QUASAR @sirsoph . . . #yoga #nyc #yogaforthepeople #soulcycle #fitness #gym #studio #bedroom #bedyoga #life #yogi #childspose #catcowpose #animalrights #family #red #window #onesie #openyourmind #comedy #jokes #improv #sketch #voiceover #wakeup #chakra #art #soothing #Quasar #DavidAndSophia (at Manhattan, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsN3-i2nf-Z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v7jrzfbke88l

[indigobleu9]

Lunch with the tribe after yoga. It's starting to become a tradition. #tribelife #yogaforthepeople #tribevibes #yogisofinstagram #yoga #yogini (at Jebon NYC)

[smukacper]

Namaste 🙏🏽🕉 Dziś w prezencie od Matki Natury 🌏 dostaliśmy kolejny piękny dzień🌞. Wykorzystajcie go w pełni. Polecam ćwiczenia oddechowe 🌬 ( #pranayama ) oraz może chwilę kontemplacji 👁otaczającej nas natury i jej piękna🌲🌳🍃🌾🌼🌻🌸. Miłego dnia kochani #smuyoga #smutravelers #jogatrojmiasto #jogapolska #jogagdynia #jogadlakazdego #oddechlata #zrobcosdlasiebie #yogaforthepeople #osowa #polskilas #matkanatura #madretierra (w: Osowa, Gdansk, Poland)

[djpunchntag]

Yoga with this babe! #yogaforthepeople http://bit.ly/2DwElHk

[foxxcroft]

Coming into my own: What does this mean? This chapter of my life is not quite a new beginning but rather an unfolding of what has always been. I had been wrestling with desires for so long. I love yoga, but I didn't know how to make it a career. I have passion for performance, but it didn't feel like I was being responsible in this pursuit. I am deeply in love, but I can't stand to stay put in one place for long. So, my internal battles manifested in acne breakouts, lost sleep, Reddit distraction games... I'd sit down to meditate and feel better for a bit, but I still didn't feel clear enough. I was being pulled in so many different directions; I was spinning. But after I returned to Dakar from The Gambia, I sat down with a new friend to break through the bullshit. Focus. Clear the clutter. With @travelingfro, I was so easily guided down the path I have been creating for years. I am here to be a yoga instructor. I am here to show people of color that this practice is for us and can be by us, and it is truly healing and helpful for all walks and stages of life. This path is one of continual learning, movement, uncovering, and helping others. Typing this out feels amazing. The more I taught yoga, the more strongly I felt connected to my center. The more space I had to love. Everything landed nicely as I mapped out the ways I would craft this life while in West Africa, so much that I am returning in less than a month. My people, I am here to unite you with our practice. . . . . . #thegambia #westafrica #yogaforthepeople #yogadiaspora #melaninpoppin #yogaisforyou #africa #africanbeauty #beautifulafrica #communityovercompetition #creativebusiness #girlbosses #hairinspiration #lawofattraction #positiveintentions #manifestyourlife #naturesbeauty #empowerwomen #higherself #finditliveit #girlsabroad #shetravels #yogaeverydamnday #iamwellandgood #ipreview @preview.app #me (at Gambia The Smiling Coast of Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpRsFjDgDxq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12y107bm2jz4f

[wellnesswithkashi]

😆Yoga with me! 🧘🏻‍♀️ @trinityyoga Tomorrow (Wednesday) 9:30am Super Gentle with Guided Yoga Sleep. 😴 Friday 6:15pm Heated Hatha Happy Hour. 🔥 Saturday 9:30am pHIIT Yoga. 💪🏼 #gentleyoga #yoganidra #heatedhatha #hiityoga #newportrichey #yoga #yogaforthepeople #wellnesswithkashi #iseeyou #namaste (at Trinity Yoga Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw5wHfKn6oRA-XsolC7UL5ABSJw3QGPhK9EWB40/?igshid=1sdr53vifbfcq

[amandaleporeofficial]

Yoga day realness❗️💋❤️💄#amandalepore #glamourgirl #yogaforthepeople

[wellnesswithkashi]

Covering Gentle Yoga 10am for Victoria. Heated Hatha Happy Hour 6:15pm. pHIIT Yoga tomorrow (Saturday) 9:30am. 😊 Practice the Yoga! 🧘🏻‍♀️ #yogaforthepeople (at Trinity Yoga Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwt6BpXH2tvpNzOzxdSamfKsuPuRX5i5FURHDM0/?igshid=1o2sws6bi5029

[yogalique]

Happy Saturday, Everyone! #YOGALIQUE is back stronger and more motivated than ever! Talk about #GetItGirlMovement, huh? In addition to my usual group classes out at the park / at my house, I'm offering 1 hour private individual or group yoga classes again—FOR FREE! Yup, Karma style which means your first class is free of charge—donations accepted, but not expected of course! Every class is tailored to your personal needs and goals, as I'm offering an array of classes that range from fiery, sweaty vinyasa flows to workshop style classes, to slow, relaxing restorative classes, to guided meditation. After your first class, we'll discuss packages that I have at an affordable rate for both individual and group sessions! If you're interested, please share this post on IG/FB/Twitter! You can email me at YOGALIQUE@gmail.com to book/discuss classes and packages. So remember that New Year's Resolution you set for 2015? Fitness goal, yoga pose you want to work toward, stress that needs to be relieved, you name it! I'm your girl! 👉🙋 Feeling iffy about it? Testimonials coming soon to the new and improved 👉 OMSANDNOMS.COM 👈 #Prenatal and #Acroyoga coming soon #staytuned Serving LA, OC, IE, maybe even SD! #yoga #karmayoga #yogaforthepeople #donationbasedyoga #fitness #fitfam #communityyoga #yogateacher #layoga #layogis #yogisofla #vinyasa #meditation #stressrelief #restorativeyoga (at ✨ #yogalique ✨)