The Yoga of Acting Out & Speaking Up

This week I took a challenging free yoga class sponsored by Lululemon at Stroga DC in Adams Morgan. Over 40 people moved to the guidance of Beth Onuoha’s powerful voice and her gentle reminder that "Yoga is not about trying to battle your neighbor on the mat."

On my way home, I coincidentally flipped through the Washington Post and stumbled onto the chilling and heartbreaking details of the Lululemon murder in Bethesda. I must admit I was shocked and disturbed that a fellow yogi and woman of color was the culprit of such a senseless and oxymoronic crime. Were yoga pants and cash worth someone’s life? Is this the morbid byproduct of commercializing an ancient spiritual practice?

Other friends in the yoga community circulated speculation about what would possess someone to go through such extremes for personal gain. What disturbed me more was the fact that someone heard the victim’s cry for help. Someone heard her plea, “God Help Me”, but no one acted and no one spoke up.

Photo by Rob Gallop

I am trying to resist judgment or place blame. Who knows what anyone would have done under those circumstances? How many times have we witnessed or overheard something that was so disturbing it stopped us in our tracks? But as human beings and most definitely yogis, we are expected to do better, act better and speak the truth.

I am reminded of poet Audre Lorde’s infamous quote, “Your silence will not protect you.” Silence didn’t save Jayna Murray and silence won't save someone from all the daily senseless crimes that happen in Anacostia and beyond.

This case reminds me of the power of everyday citizens. We can all do little things to change our world. The next time you see, hear, observe or even feel something that just doesn’t sit right, act out and speak up". Somebody’s life might depend on your voice.

Self-Care vs. Social Work

The first time I experienced compassion fatigue, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in a dusty beachfront town called Dangriga, Belize. A young mom walked into my office explaining that her boyfriend just hit her in the head with a hammer. I could still see the blood dripping from the girls ears while she held her 6-month old baby. I emotionally called the hospital, police and offered up a room at my place until she could figure out her next steps. 

Do you take on stress even if you have no control over the outcome?

But not long after, frustration started to set in. After two weeks of accompanying her to numerous court dates, I got sick of hearing her explanations for taking phone calls from the hammer hitting boyfriend.  I could not understand her decision to leave her baby with me while she go out dancing at the club. I quickly became disillusioned, judgmental and confused. 

Why would this girl go back with the same dude who just caused so much pain and torment in her life? Why isn't she doing what I want her to do to make her life better? Why am I so invested in the outcome of her life? My mentor, a domestic violence expert, reminded me of the complexities of domestic abuse. Intellectually, I knew that behavior change is a long process. I knew I should have set boundaries and  I can't expect someone to change after two weeks. But emotionally I was angry, apathetic and felt betrayed. 


I realized that I was experiencing "burnout". Many teachers, social workers, non-profit employees and community leaders feel burned out when they choose to step into the ring and fight against social ills. Sometimes you get knocked out. Sometimes you get back on your feet. 


I got back on my feet. But I came back prepared using  self-care techniques and yoga principles to help me cope with the nebulous arena of social justice work.


Living and teaching East of the River, reminds me alot of my little town in Belize. The beauty and history of hoods like Dangriga and Anacostia are often overshadowed by the entangled issues of poverty, racism and injustice.  Social Justice workers are often ignored and their work goes without recognition. 


If you are working in Anacostia and want to learn more about self-care and preventing burnout using yoga principles, email me at anacostiayogi@gmail.com.

Let's Go Get High!

Soulful Flow Mondays at Hillcrest Recreation Center start today, Monday 10/24/11 at 7pm! Come learn about how yoga can make you fly high, well sort of.

Soulful Flow Mondays Yoga Teacher Sari

Getting high in yoga could refer to deep breathing or lifting your body off the ground to transition to a new pose. Advanced yogis use deep breathing and a technique called "bhanda or body locks" to elevate their bodies, suspend in mid air and jump back into position! This is called "floating".

Now, don't get it twisted, floating takes years of a committed yoga practice. But the journey starts with a thousand steps- right here in Southeast! Come to my yoga class and learn about using your breath to take you to new heights!

Soulful Flow Mondays
7pm-8pm
Hillcrest Recreation Center
3100 Denver Street SE
Washington, DC 20020

For more info contact Sari
202-581-0879
anacostiayogi@gmail.com
www.anacostiayoga.com

Brothalicoius at Blogalicious11

Imagine yourself swimming in a sea of beautiful, intelligent and geeky diverse women who need your help? That's exactly where Brotha Tech found himself this weekend and stepped up to the challenge as one of the few men at the Blogalicious11 Conference.



BrothaTech is a Baltimore-based one stop shop for all things tech and social media ranging from QR code chains to a Howard Homecoming App for your Iphone.

Check out his site http://brothatech.com/ and follow him on twitter @brothatech

Is DC in the House? Blogalicious Update

DC Bloggers represented at the 2011 Blogalicious Conference proving that women in DC are ahead of the social media curve. I sifted through hundreds of national bloggers to find the awesome ladies of  DivasMPH (Making our People Healthy). The Divas work to provide sexy and sassy health events for black women and have alot to say about the use of blogs in public health.


Divas MPH is a community-based organization that's not afraid to use the web as a tool to take their outreach to the next level.

For more info about Divas MPH visit www.divasmph.org or Tweet the ladies at:

@divasmph

@miss_madie
@sweet_nesia

So far the conference is an amazing network of creative and passionate people who use the web as platform to make major moves in their career and personal lives! Blogalicious is a must attend!

Be Beautiful, BeBlogalicious!

The United Colors of Bloggers will convene for the annual BeBlogalicious conference at the Gaylord Hotel-National Harbor this weekend featuring a diverse line up of local and national social media junkies.

The conference was founded in 2009 to celebrate the diversity of women in social media. I  purchased the last ticket to the sold out event thanks to a last minute River East hookup.

DC Yoginis, Ananda Leeke (pink) and Takeyah Young (grey) at Blogalicious 2010

Intellectual Author and Diva Helena Andrews

Fitness Guru Renne J Ross will kick off a 7am fitness class and author of "Bitch is the New Black", Helena Andrews, will discuss how to create an outlet for your unique voice. 

Bloggers East of the River might like  the workshop "To Niche or Not To Niche" which will talk about writing to reach a very specific demographic. EOR folks can follow me on twitter for my reviews and comments under the hashtag #yogilicious and #BeUplifted.

BeBlogalicious 2011 Washington, DC

Gaylord Hotel
National Harbor
October 21-23


More Free Blogalicious Events!
MICROSOFT INVITES YOU TO "GET YOUR GAME ON" 
Thursday, October 20, 2011 
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Microsoft D.C. Headquarters
901 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 


Cleverlicious By Divas and Dorks
Friday, October 21, 2011
8pm

Belvedere Lobby Bar

Gaylord Harbor Resort & Convention Center

201 Waterfront Street

Washington, DC

Not Another Health Workshop!

I have never attended so many free health fairs, workshops, and seminars until I started living in Anacostia. Do these fairs make community leaders feel good?

 Do they demonstrate to funders that we actually did something with the money? But really, do they make a difference in the lives of people who they are intended to serve?

Usually after a health event, people go home, throw away the pamphlets and get back to their regularly scheduled programming- tv, fast food and some other detrimental health behavior (smoking, unsafe sex, alcohol abuse etc...)

If we want to improve access to health and the quality of life for residents, then slogans, fairs, brochures and workshops will not cut it. In the words of United Health Group's Reed Tuckson:

"We can't continue to try to fight the serious health challenges that are confronting this nation, and in this case, African-American community, with pamphlets and sloganeering. We've got to go deeper than that."

It's time to ramp up the outreach and look at an integrated approach that will nudge people along to make better personal choices. Instead of spending money on guest speakers and printing pamphlets, lets create a behavioral incentive program that gives residents a chance to get literally invested in health. Instead of food demonstrations, let's bring in business representatives willing to take a chance on selling healthy food in the hood.

In the meantime, here is another Healthy Eating Workshop in Anacostia sponsored by the NAACP Health Committee.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Healthy Eating Nutrition Workshop
2100 MLK Jr. Avenue SE
3rd Floor Conference Room
Washington DC 20020

Black Folks Don't...Do Yoga?

This week the quirky web series, Black Folks Don't, features yoga and the consensus is that we don't do yoga.


One of the comments made me think about the lack of diverse yoga teachers, "Black people don't want to take a class taught by someone who doesn't look like them".  Awhile back, I blogged about "Breaking the Yoga Mold" and I definitely feel more comfortable in classes with teachers who have bodies that resemble my physique and evoke an energy that makes me feel welcomed and valued. Luckily for us, DC has options.

This is my short list of great  yoga teachers who represent the rainbow in the DMV:
Vinyasa Flow
AnacostiaYogi- shameless self promotion
Faith Hunter, Shawna Renee, Sia Tiambi-Embrace Yoga DC
Takeyah Young- Core Connection Lifestyle
Vivienne Bell- Old Town Alexandria
Amber Robles Gordon- www.amberroblesgordon.com
Helina Metafaria- www.themetaexperience.com
Dana Smith- Spiritual Essence Yoga
Juneous Pettijohn- Transforming U
Iesha Ali Shakti Mind Body Studio

Power Yoga
Elizabeth Ohuoha- Stroga

Iyengar
Terence Olliviera www.buddahb.com

Kemetic Yoga
Yirsir Hotep - Yoga Skills

Queer Yoga
Misia Dinea Stroga

Prenatal Yoga
Nilajah Brown yoginilajah@gmail.com

I am still looking for older instructors for the 55+ crew and I definitely need to see more males! If you know of other great yoga instructors who are breaking the mold, send an email to:
anacostiayogi@gmail.com

Street Scenes in Fort Dupont Park

Check out the scenes from a fun filled family event at this year's Feet in the Street in Fort Dupont Park. The Best Photo Award goes to photographer Diana Bowen who took this adorable image of baby spider man while he enjoyed his preferred mode of transportation, a big wheel. For more on Diana visit http://dianabowen.tumblr.com

Spider Baby and his branch of destruction



Takeyah Young  of CoreConnection Lifestyle demonstrating acroYoga



Anacostia Yogi testing out acroyoga

Organizer  and Park Ranger Thom Safranak

Dragon and Youth Martial Arts Performance


Banjo Tunes by The Bike House

What Would Oprah Do? Self-Examination for the Community Advocate

Oprah's OWN network launched a social media frenzy with the amazing "Life Class" series that streams simultaneously on Facebook, Twitter and Cable TV.

Oprah uses the web as a virtual therapy session for people who want to make serious changes in their personal life. Thousands of people share their deepest and darkest pains to the world while Oprah and her "sister-girl" experts help unravel how these experiences shape who we are.

The "Life Class" acts as a guide using affirmations and identifying destructive patterns of behavior that keep the everyday Joe from living his life purpose. Oprah cites her own foils and fumbles as proof that no one is perfect. Nope, not even Oprah.



Even Oprah, with all the money, gourmet chefs and personal trainers, admitted that she doesn't believe in exercise.  Her personal revelation makes her more human and more accessible.

This self-disclosure model for personal and collective change made me think about my role as a health advocate and yoga teacher in Anacostia.

Why would and should anyone listen to what I have to say about health? 

Influencing health policy is one thing. But trying to convince grown folks not to eat carry out can lead me down a dark path of egotistical banter that falls on deaf ears. I realize now that in order for true community advocacy to work, we must reveal ourselves and share our struggles. It's time to for community advocates to use our personal testimonies as the tether that connects our experiences to those who are willing to hear us. This is the first step toward personal change.

It won't be easy to tell a stranger what I have been through, but in the long run, my personal story will hopefully connect with someone who needs one small voice to help take a big leap.

Fela Lives. We Act Radio! Saturday, October 15, 2011

“Black President’s Day” is an annual tribute to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti done around the time of his birthday, October 15th. LiL SoSo Productions, along with its community partners, will be producing the annual tribute this year in historic Anacostia. The event will feature food, live music, live art and more! Advance purchase of tickets is suggested, along with early arrival.

Black President’s Day:
A Celebration of the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti
10|15|11 9pm-til
We Act Radio, 1918 MLK Ave SE DC
tickets:

http://blackpres2011.eventbrite.com/

Doin it in the Park - Yoga at Fort Dupont

This year's Feet in the Street will feature a yoga class by Takeyah Young of Core Connection Lifestyle  in Fort Dupont Park at 9am.

Takeyah will kick off Feet in the Street with her signature yoga style blending great music with a powerful workout.

Feet in the Street is one of the best health events East of the River, so make sure to check out all the activities!
- 5k Walk
- Guided Nature Walk
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Healthy Cooking Demonstrations
- Face Painting
- Free Bike Rolls
- Boxing Demonstration

. See you on October 15, 2011

United By A Blue Anacostia

Help turn the Anacostia River from brown to blue on Saturday, October 8, 2011 by teaming up with the eco-conscious apparel company United By Blue at the Anacostia Park Clean Up.

United By Blue is a clothing apparel company that donates 1 pound of trash removal services for every item of clothing sold.  The creator, Brian Linton, has a passion for the ocean and started the company as a way to give back with the philosophy, "Business has the power to do good." 

United By Blue will throw in a free lunch for volunteers and maybe we can convince the team to create a special eco-line of clothing with a special emphasis on the Anacostia River!

Join in on the Anacostia Clean Up!

United By Blue 

http://www.unitedbyblue.com

Anacostia River Clean Up

Saturday October 8, 2011

10am-2pm

Lot F

Free Lunch

TED is Here!

The TED Talks are coming to Anacostia with a diverse panel of DC's business leaders prepared to discuss innovation and Anacostia's emerging creative economy.

I am really excited to see Mazi Mutafa  discuss his inspiration to establish the hip-hop based education organization Words, Beats and Life. Mazi has sponsored numerous outreach efforts East of the River and helped erect the mural on MLK JR. Avenue SE.

The TED talks explore the idea generation process for organizations like Words, Beats and Life reinforcing that a creative economy must match a neighborhood's fluid identity. This ultimately gives residents an opportunity to explore business ideas without the fear of failure and present opportunities for intellectual curiosity.

To learn more about TEDxWDC  visit their website, www.ted.com and get your tickets early!

TEDxWDC

http://tedxwdc.com/

Saturday, October 15, 2011 

9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (ET)

The Innovation Box
2012 Shannon Place, SE 

Washington, DC 20020

Tickets $100

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2145394934/eorgf