Dedication

So it has been a week since I was last in the hot room.  And I have to say, while I have enjoyed my semi calm before the yoga storm, I am looking forward to getting back to basics this weekend.  My back is most definitely crying out for some relief that is for sure.  One thing is certain, the more yoga I do the better I feel physically and mentally.  I have said it over and over again, but these little breaks I've taken sure do show all the evidence I need that having a Bikram practice is best for a bad back.  If this is where having a desk job has gotten me in 10 years time I sure would hate to see what would come my way in another 10 years time.  And I am a healthy and active person too!  I have known and still know a lot of secretaries that have been at this a whole lot longer than I have and I can say with confidence that 99% of them are over weight and have chronic pain of some kind.  But enough about my severe dislike for working for the man and sitting for 12 hours a day. 

I LOVE political documentaries and have been watching a lot of them lately.  Since I don't follow news of any kind really, these films help connect me to the social and political struggles we still face today.  I get my news by watching and listening to the people around me.  Sometimes I feel like the way this and other countries are run are not a far stretch from 50 years ago.  50 years!  Half a century and we still blatantly discriminate against people of color, gender and sexual preference (be it homosexual or polyamourous or any non-vanilla preference in between).  These facts both sadden and anger my heart.  There is a movement in Seattle that is trying to get pitbull type dogs banned from Seattle parks and off-leash areas.  While I'm not a fan of off-leash areas, because my pitbull type dog has been attacked there more than once by non pitbull type dogs and also because that is where people take their shitty under socialized stressed out hounds to take out their aggression, I do not believe that you should ban breeds from going there.  This is fucking America, not (fill in the blank country).  The people perpetuating the pitbull fear NEVER want to hear the statistics that say otherwise about the "pitbull problem".  Banning a certain breed of dogs, or people for that matter, does not solve the problems society faces.  Not to mention that the Center for National Canine Research, a group of researchers dedicated to preserving the bond between canine and human, follow up yearly on media reported "pitbull attacks".  ALMOST ALL of the media reported pitbull attacks were misrepresented.  They were either not pitbull type dogs involved or all the events were backward.  Check out their research for yourself.  Educate yourself.  Think for yourself.  And don't inflict your views upon others.  That is all I ask.  We don't have to agree, but we can agree to disagree and still get along in spite of that.  The problem I have with breed bans, racism and blatant ignorance in this country is that it is based upon fear.  Trying to make solutions based around fear does not win an argument with me nor should it you.  We should not start wars with other countries because we fear they hate us.  How fucking stupid and illogical is that.  Very stupid.  We all have fears but should not subject others to our prejudice.  This country in particular has a history of shutting up its dissidents and its so scary.  The government wants you to be as free as they want you to believe you are.  When it comes to rocking the boat, hell no.  They won't tolerate that.  Sure you can have your peaceful protest telling them you don't like what they are doing, but they are going to do it anyways.

So what does all this have to do with yoga and with my upcoming Bikram yoga teacher training?  I'm thinking of starting to dedicate my Bikram practice to all those political prisoners and social activists who are here with us and to those who have died in the struggle.  I think I am also going to keep these people and this international struggle at the forefront of my mind throughout training.  There are people in this world who can not walk outside or talk to their loved ones and I think it would be nice to send them some loving kindness when the going gets tough for me.  I have noticed that I have become a bit too self centered in all this lately and I don't like that feeling.  I want to be aware, connected and conscious.  So stay conscious people and spread the word.  Ask questions.  Feel the anger of our earth and ancestors.  Remain skeptical.  The world isn't always as it seems.