yogaHOPE’s Teacher’s Blog

Bridging the gap…

I’d like to take a moment to tell everyone involved with yogaHOPE how HONORED I am to be sharing this little piece of my yogic life with you. I am astounded and humbled at the depth of care, compassion and PASSION that yogis all over the Boston area, as well as the rest of the NATION (no kidding) as well as other nations (canada..go Louise!!) are bringing to this organization, one another and the women we serve. It makes my heart explode with joy and amazement! Truly, truly, truly… I find that the yoga community can be very secular, and devotees of one school of yoga are resistant to consider another, or maybe it’s that we all have found something that changed our lives so drastically that we are eager to share that with the women we serve and feel that if that SPECIFIC style or teaching changed OUR lives that it can change others’ as well. We don’t want to mess with what we know. Remarkably, I am finding that yogaHOPE is bridging the gap between ALL forms of yoga, ALL philosophies and teachings. We come together at our volunteer get-togethers and orientation meetings and we find that we have the common goal of helping these women; healing these women. In doing so we discover our own hearts, voices and wisdom. We discover that it’s not the specific TYPE of yoga that we practice or which teacher or GURU we follow (if we even do) that sparks inspiration, change and a profound shift in those we serve..it’s our own voice which is channeled directly from the center of our hearts and delivered in a space where those who are listening can excavate their OWN hearts in order to access their authentic voices which, once unleashed, has the power to change their whole life, their whole world. By MERGING our knowledge and passions instead of keeping them segregated, we are creating a most awesome and powerful thing. I don’t even know what to call it! I do know that it has the potential to reach across the nation and spark change in not only the communities we serve, but the communities from which we come. Blessing to you all!!

with most humble thanks,
sue jones
founder

One breath at a time, One day at a time.

Today’s class at Women’s Hope had six participants. I look forward to teaching because there may be a familiar face, and most of the time are new faces. Class began with a seated meditation followed by gentle arm openings to the sky. We move gently, placing emphasis on slowly opening the body. Continuing with seated twists, we make our way into childs pose then downward dog. The women in todays class seem willing and determined. We move into forward lunges, and twisted lunge. Always coming back to childs pose when needed. Todays class is assisted by Beth. Beth is a phenomenal presence, and is truly an extra pair of eyes! Her twenty plus years of yoga experience is displayed with each and every assist. I am so grateful for her to be in class. Class continues with the warrior series followed by balancing poses. The women we’re so proud of their steadiness in tree pose. I can hear the women breathing. One woman, P** commented that her breathing opened up her chest area. She said, “This yoga really works!”. Continuing class with abs, twists, bridge with a block and finally savasana. Todays class was truly about breath. Inhaling the new and exhaling the old. Opening up space in the body for new things to come. AA’s motto is “One day at a time”. A statement which the women hear daily at Women’s Hope. Our hour was dedicated to being, one breath at a time.

Namaste, Kat Larsen

Sharing my first yogaHope experience