This is Yoga and We Are Not Going Anywhere

As I continue this journey of uncovering the truth, dismantling conscious and unconscious bias, unraveling an untrue history which was taught to keep me comfortable in my white skin … I feel pulled to share with curiosity, questioning, accountability and radical honesty.

In doing so, the uncomfortableness of truth has created two reactions that usually creep into my DMs:

“If you don’t like this country, leave” and “Stick to teaching yoga”.

No energy goes into responding because my energy is needed else where. Organizing people around the power and capacity we have to create change.

And…

Here is the thing (quoting my son Rowan’s favorite saying) : I’m not going anywhere and I acknowledge the massive amount of privilege it takes to even consider leaving. This work is my yoga, I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

We are witnessing white supremacy/patriarchy come to the surface — a raw exposure of how it has controlled the narrative of this country since the beginning. An exposure many in this country have known and felt for centuries. Folks have been sounding the alarm and dying at the grip of oppression, many wait until it directly effects them to show up, causing a movement imbalance, a movement which needs us to form a strong thread of solidarity through relationship, amongst the nuances, complexity, and different lived experiences. This work is my yoga, and I’m not going anywhere.

These systems are falling — we can feel it at every turn, and it won’t go down without a gigantic fight. My heart hurts for those in the literal cross fires. No one is immune and this hurt keeps me at the frontline: this work is my yoga, and I’m not going anywhere.

I hold a strong belief/commitment that we can reimagine/create a country where all humans are respected, valued and heard. A country where systems are built for all humans to thrive, where the hustle is not rewarded with more hustle, where rest is valued, where all humans are paid a living wage, have access to healthcare, education, housing and clean water/food. A country where humans have more rights than guns. A country where who you are and who you love is celebrated.

I believe this is possible and it will not begin its journey of creation until we are able to sit with radical honesty and truly face how we got here, hold ourselves accountable, and acknowledge how we have benefited from a freedom that was set up for a few, leaving many behind.

So no, I’m not going anywhere, you can find me on the frontline in South Carolina. Holding space for radical honesty in places where wellness is sought, yet not fully imagined. For I cannot be well, if others do not have the same access…wellness is a collective deal.

“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free”
-Fannie Lou Hamer

“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
-James Baldwin

Stay with me, use your yoga as a tool for change and let’s create the world we imagine together.

Kate x