We’ve had quite a weekend here in the United States. The heavy, weighted energy from Friday (Trump’s Inauguration) was thankfully replaced when the clouds parted to give way to the light of the sun & the millions who marched in solidarity. No matter if you are in support or against, the Women’s March showed how women, men, and children from different races, ethnicities, sexualities, religious & cultural backgrounds can come together to empower each other.

In fact, all those people were practicing yoga, even if they have never even stepped foot on a mat. What we witnessed is Unity. The word yoga, comes from the sanskrit “yuj” which means to join, unite, yoke. Their unification empowered each other & their strong message. It took courage to stand, to have a voice, but joining each other/unifying with each other helped to them stand taller and speak louder.

I am reminded of the Bhavagad Gita which is a story of a warrior, Arjuna, who is faced with a battle he’s unwilling to fight. He relies upon the wisdom and guidance of Lord Krishna to help him understand his dharma (purpose). Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that there’s no need to fear and hide from life & duty. In book two, verse seventeen, Krishna assures Arjuna to trust in his oneness with God.

We’ve all been faced with times of challenge where we feel alone or cannot muster the courage, maybe even feeling disconnected to God or any higher Spirit, family and friends. As the story of the Bhavagad Gita and the Women’s March tells us that courage cannot exist in isolation. Judith Lasater states in Living Your Yoga, “Just as a flower needs sun, air, soil, and water to bloom, your courage depends on your interdependence with people and things. You must contemplate deeply to understand that when you do what is possible, you are not in a free fall, but are cradled by your interdependence with the world around you.”

When you lay your mat down this week, see how you can strengthen your courage muscle through your practice. When and how can you overcome resistance or fear? Feel the unified energy of your fellow students to elicit the courage you need on and off your mat.

Namaste, my friends.

*Lasater Ph.D. P.T., Judith (2010-06-30). Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life (p. 43). Rodmell Press.

*Women’s March in Chicago photo credit: Christine Truco via ABC 7 Chicago

*Yoga Within You Chacala 2016 Yoga Retreat photo