MOVEMENT & MUTUAL AID

Hard times require furious dancing. - Alice Walker

Hi Everyone!  Kate here -  to share a few thoughts on MN, my state of mind (personally, & and my home state), and our upcoming retreat. - it’s MLK Day and my thoughts bend toward justice, and the roles we might play -

While things feel tense, unjust, and uncertain (at best) to horrifying, here in the North Star State - especially for our immigrant communities and communities of color - I am all the more aware how the practice of yoga and sharing it with others is a primary means of keeping me from overwhelm in this time.* 

*Memes of ICE falling on actual ice, and the “organized gangs of wine moms” also help FYI. As do courageous acts of protest and solidarity across the state. None of this is new, and we are seeing the escalation of systems of oppression that have long been at work, for a long, long time. 

That, and - 

Movement, breath, and community are medicine. 

We are witnesses and in solidarity in this moment - by staying present in those same moments. Even when it’s horrifying. Even when it hurts. Especially when it’s hard. It all counts -  the art we make, the stories we tell, the bread we bake, the space we hold, the people we hold, and the way we share our gifts have a vital role in resistance and resilience. 

We need to resource ourselves (put on our own oxygen mask first, yada yada yada) and we also need action. We need togetherness. You are seeing examples of that pumping out of the Minneapolis Metro - that is the best of U.S. That is the heart of our state.

With all that said, my personal proceeds from our ROAM Community Yoga at 190* Coffee & Tea will go toward mutual aid in MSP, and greater MN, for the rest of January. (Potentially beyond.) 

Small actions, and movement -  help create a Movement.

If gathering to practice serves your ability to resource yourself -  awesome. If giving helps you feel like you can take action or snowball your gift into something bigger, let’s compound that and come together to multiply that spirit. 

We’re like Gremlins that way, let’s feed disruptive joy after midnight. ;)

Community yoga is offered weekly, on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at 190* Coffee & Tea, in Lincoln Park. Can’t make it and want to participate? Please message me on social media or text me, and I will share my Venmo. 

Last week 30 + bright beings practiced in solidarity for MN and gave generously. That is what we need, and that is who Minnesota is. So whether you can give $5 or $50, come share community and solidarity. Already donated $200 - let’s keep going.

As we prepare for our trip this year; the unrest, injustice, and harm being done here in MN has taken something out of me - and also makes it tough to “promote” our adventure, because, wow, tone deaf …

My past year didn’t turn out as I had hoped and planned, despite huge life changes, effort, and grit  - and, so it might seem easy to get stuck in self-doubt, looking back, and then - WTF, about how to be of service now. But, I am also from the state of Wisconsin - and that state motto is FORWARD. I think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote often.

Personally, I keep working, growing, learning, giving, and yes, at times fighting to move forward, doing the work to make things work. Staying present to suffering and believing it is temporary. All of this IS temporary - after all - so let’s give, love, sing, dance, fight, breathe, create, resource, support, rest, & protest - with the time we have. 

I let my mind rest on two particular memories from our trip last year as grounding, joyful, colorful, full of laughter, and light - with beautiful people, and a reminder: that is valuable resourcing for whatever comes next. (While we can acknowledge the privilege of that joy).

The photos cannot encapsulate the color and light, our smiles cannot reflect the warmth of island culture and hospitality enough. It lifts my spirit now - as I read the news, connect, research, donate, and protest. As ROAM Yoga continues to build community and gather, as MN both holds its breath and howls, in the cold January air - we are going to need each other, no matter what.

I would love to hear HOW you are doing, WHAT you are doing, that supports & sustains you - and would LOVE to be in community with you. Here in MN, and maybe on our retreat in just over a month.

Check out some photos that are warm reminders (for me) of powerful, funny, intelligent women dancing & adventuring in community. They make brave waves in many ways here in MN. :) 

BLUE LAGOON (photos) Our first island adventure, in the East End of Roatan, in the Mangroves, and first time in the magical Caribbean water.

SUNSET PONTOON CRUISE (photos) Our hosts at Upchaya Resort took us on a sunset cruise which we turned into a dance party. So much laughter.