Mercy
As part of my walk in the neighborhood, I joined a March on the Capitol advocating for health care for all/Medicare for all. What does it mean to have mercy or to be merciful? I am quite certain inaction is inconsistent with mercy.
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Fall Session Theme–Inner Light
This morning, when I called weather, the meteorologist announced that sunrise is at 7am, sunset at 6:58pm. As the nights grow longer than the days, it is a wonderful time to become more introspective, to use the principles of alignment to focus mind and body so that we are drawn ever more sweetly to our inner light.
In my classes this Fall, I will be emphasizing how we can use the Anusara principles of alignment to help continuously refine and focus our attention on our own and unifying sense of spirit.
- Meditation | Photos | Poetry
Rising Moon
We are no more nor
Less caught than is the moon
Caught by tree branches.
Intention
When I came out of my afternoon asana practice and meditation, I picked up the John Friend Teacher Training Manual to look up one of my favorite passages. In describing the “attitude” that brings us to our deepest practice, John Friend writes that there are two reasons to practice yoga: “1. Co-create in the art of life. 2. Realize and awaken to our divine nature.” John Friend, Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual (9th Ed., Anusara Press 2006). He explains that sometimes we come to our mat because we are happy and we want to celebrate. Other times, we are sad or confused and we want to remember our essentially divine, blissful nature. This particular teaching has continues to resonate for me. I find great comfort in it because it recognizes that we do forget; we will not always act perfectly. All life, though, is part of our practice, and we can keep trying to co-create and remember the light in all beings in our daily lifes just as we keep can coming to the mat.
Taxing Yoga?
I just received the following email that makes it easy for you to comment on the DC Council’s proposed tax on yoga classes. If you believe yoga should not be taxed, please take action as moved:
Dear Elizabeth,
We just learned that the DC Council may impose a 6-8% sales tax on yoga classes and gym memberships. This Friday, May 7th (tomorrow!), they’ll consider the new tax. And, they’ll vote to approve or reject it soon thereafter.
Before this vote happens, please tell the DC Council: “Don’t tax yoga!”
Washington, DC is no stranger to the challenges of modern life that yoga is so well-designed to address: stress, stress-related illness, depression, anxiety, and the secondary impacts of these ills that make it harder for people to simply “get along”. Why put yoga — a potent antidote to these problems — further out of reach for District residents?
Some advocates of the new tax argue — mistakenly — that people who practice yoga and attend gyms are wealthy enough to afford the additional tax burden. The truth is that most yogis and gym members are middle income-ers who’ve simply made it a priority to invest in their health and well-being.
The DC Council should reward their behavior, and encourage more people to take responsibility similarly for their own well-being. Doing so will have direct upsides on the DC coffers. Why? Because when people are healthier, more balanced, grounded, and happy they’re also more productive, more self-reliant, and better able to function in our interdependent society.
If you agree, please tell the DC Council now: “Don’t tax yoga!”
We respect the DC government’s need to increase revenues in a time of economic recession. We just feel that taxing yoga and other health and wellness services is one of the worst ways to do it. Services that support people’s health and well-being are not luxuries. They are essential – just as much in the District of Columbia as anywhere, if not moreso.
Please make sure the DC Council gets that message. Tell them: “Don’t tax yoga!”
Many thanks,
Ian
—Ian Mishalove
Co-Owner & Director of Flow
Flow Yoga Center
