This month in our classes we are focusing on the theme of Community. Being together in community or as a sangha is something that has always been important to me.

Growing up in a household of a large-ish, Italian family taught me the value of connection and community. My family’s home was where everyone gathered each holiday. My brothers’ friends would often stay for dinner - some even moved in to stay with us. That welcoming, loving, supportive environment, etched in me a deep need to be a part of and create a loving, supportive community beyond my home. And that’s what led me to working in small theatre and dance companies during my performing careers.

The feelings of connection and community that I found in those companies, was so powerful and important to me, especially as a performing artist. It allowed me to create more freely and openly – to try things I may not have felt supported enough to try if we weren’t so connected. I felt so at home with the people I worked with – some for over 13 years. We were family and friends. We were community as we came together to share our love of movement and storytelling.

I found the same feeling of community during my first Yoga Teacher Training. We spent every weekend together for months, moving and breathing together; learning about the body and breath; discovering new ways to move and share information; discussing some of the teachings from the Yoga Sutra and other texts. We opened our hearts and souls to each other. We respected each other. We created a safe space for each other.

And it’s this love of community that keeps me excited as I move into my 18th year of teaching yoga. The support and care we bring to each other when we practice together is vital. Yes, you might be at home in your living room practicing with me from your computer, but showing up each week to class in whatever format is not only for you but for the others who show up as well. Seeing each other, moving together, sharing that experience connects and unites us. The support we offer each other by showing up can be life changing. One of my private clients, who I saw every week through the earliest days of the pandemic has since shared with me how much it meant to her to see me (on the computer) every week for our session and the other students each week in our classes. My guess is that those moments of connection in class – even through the computer screen - helped her not feel so isolated. And that’s a beautiful thing about being in a community, the connection we make with each other.

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote:

“The essence of a sangha is awareness, understanding, acceptance, harmony and love.” “A true sangha should be like a family in which there is a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.”

My hope for each and every one of you is that you are finding ways to stay connected to the people and practices you love and that allow you to feel supported, accepted, understood, loved…if you have then you are in the right COMMUNITY for you!

And, if you are willing to share the ways you are finding and building community, please share them with me!

Join our community - here's a schedule of classes and videos for more movement practices!