Purple Acorn Yoga

9 years ago today my life, once again, forever changed. The moment after hearing my dad died of a drug overdose, I was filled with anger. I threw a glass against the wall as if to try to fight off another hit. Another death. As the glass shattered, my heart shattered. Then the sadness poured in. Loving someone who has an addiction is a confusing experience. My dad meant so much to me, and I felt - and still feel - honoured to have had him as a father. And also his addictio...n caused me a lot of pain, distress and adverse experiences at young age. I have learned on my path that allowing two realities to exist gives space to hold more truths at once. One truth doesn’t negate or diminish the other, and there is space for healing within both. Grieving in my early 30s is very different then grieving in my early 20s. It’s subtle yet palpable. Even though more time has passed, the space is filled with a void that he is not here to experience this life with me. That this world no longer gets to experience his humour, his compassion, his heart, his vivacious physical presence. Again, learning from Grief that it does not go away, it only changes. The stings of grief of the symbolic losses continue to unfold as life continues forward without him here. An acceptance of this truth AND compassionate presence to the pain. Miss you, dad. Grateful I can hear your laughter in my memories and feel your love in my body. I share my story with the intention of normalizing vulnerability and talking about grief so that you can perhaps see yourself in me and express yours in the context of your safety and in your way. May our shared humanity outgrow stigma. May our actions support the safety for all beings. May no one be alone in their pain and suffering. May one day all beings be free from systemic suffering. * * Image: Myself, Richelle, as a young child wearing a floral dress and sitting on my dad’s lap on a house patio. We are both smiling.

To those doing their inner and outer #work around decolonizing and anti-racism that might need to read this today: It’s okay that you feel uncomfortable. It’s okay that you’re getting it wrong.... It’s okay that you’re feeling confused. These are the feelings and sensations needed for change and transformation. The messiness and humility required for intentional listening, meaningful reflection, impactful actions, re-patterning and evolving. This work was never meant to be easy and it will be a lifelong process. Stay #steady. Stay #curious. Stay in the work. The world needs you. #stayinthework #stayinthediscomfort #staycurious #keeplistening #socialchange #valuealigned #dismantellingwhitesupremacy #tapas #meaningfulchange

Last week I had the privilege of attending a workshop through @yogaoutreach with Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Yoga teacher, Dismantling Racism Educator and author of the amazing book, Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World. Her educational and experiential book intersects Yoga and Social Justice to highlight that they cannot be separate. It is a guide that invites readers to look within themselves to reflect on the identities they hold, embody... what justice is and make actionable steps in how to shows up to create a #just world on and off the mat. I read her book over a year ago and it is a book I will continue to work through and reflect on as I navigate my role as a white, cis-gendered, able-bodied Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist, and space holder. This is an invaluable resource. A call for Yoga teachers, Yoga therapists, studio owners, Yoga practitioners and space holders to read this book and/or partake in Michelle’s workshops, trainings and offerings. Go to www.michellecjohnson.com to find out more. And while I have your attention, a note to aspiring space holders, Yoga teachers, spiritual teachers, somatic therapist, Breathworkers or facilitators in any field that claims to be for healing and trauma: If the curriculum in your training does not include learning about systems of oppression, marginalization, spiritual bypassing, privilege, invitational and inclusive language, intersectionality or power dynamics, please challenge them as to why not or find a training that does. #skillinaction #antiracism #checkyourpeivilege #traumainformedyoga #traumainformedpractices #intersectionalitymatters #blacklivesmatter #bipoclivesmatter #whitesupremacy #spiritualbypassing #radicalchange #socialjustice #yogaoutreach See more

Justice for Breonna Taylor Petition: https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-t. Please sign and share. Posted @withregram @lylajune Cops busted into a woman’s home with a no knock search warrant and shot her in the middle of the night. She wasn’t even who they were looking for. I’m not one for punitive justice, no matter which way it goes, but to not even freaking charge them is a huge white supremacist slap in the face. What are you saying to black women when you have all the evidence and still turn a blind eye. #BlackLivesMatter #BreonnaTaylor