Yoga is changing every day. With new Instagram models taking yoga and splashing it all over our feeds as “self-care”, it’s begun to dawn on me what yoga actually is (and isn’t).
It appears these days that western, or whitewashed yoga, is all about how flexible you can be, how long your limbs are and which tropical paradise backdrop you can do your photoshoot in front of.
Well, I’m done with that. The last few months I have stepped away from posting anything on Instagram and Facebook for my own personal reasons, but also to not be part of the problem of others not feeling as though they are enough.
I feel like it’s about time to send out an update on my movements. Because for the first time in a long time, there is movement. And words to share about my time at Earth Frequency festival!
As winter began to etch its way into Melbourne, I felt restless and cold. If you don’t know me, you’ll soon find out that I just don’t do well in the cold. My skin dries out, the light from my eyes fades and I struggle to stay warm due to having poor circulation in my hands and feet.
When I bought my ticket two weeks prior to Glowfest, there were so many unknowns. Firstly, I hadn’t been to a festival in over a year due to COVID-19, would I remember what to do? I’d also never been to a Burning Man-style event where you had to bring everything yourself (no food vendors).
But I found my feet and packed my little yellow convertible, Daffodil, full of camping gear, snacks and toys to light on fire and did the long, two-day drive from Melbourne to Waves Campground in Crescent Head, NSW. Down a bumpy, dusty road where phone signal was slowly lost, we were greeted at the driveway by colourful humans welcoming us to Glowfest.
I entered into a magical, calm world. The opening ceremony set the tone of respect, playfulness and growth together. Traditional owners of the land came and blessed us in a smoke ceremony in front of a magical bus, painted with a rabbit unicorn on the side and a DJ set up the top.
If you’re new to yoga, or only been doing it for a short amount of time, the language used to describe styles of yoga can become overwhelming and confusing. Even when you go and Google these terms, there’s never really a straight forward answer as to what to expect. You just want to do, “yoga”, right? Well, when signing up to a practice it’s nice to know what you’re in for and which practice is going to suit your body best.
It’s just been announced now that Melbourne will officially be in lockdown for longer than, well, yeah. We’ll be in lockdown for longer than China and Italy.
I don’t really want to dwell on that too much though. Yeah, it’s really shit. But, like, what can we do?
Instead, here’s a fun (maybe) post about random things that I do during the day.
The world seems to be suffering from the same thing but in so many different ways. And this largely depends on where you are.
My friends in Europe are experiencing a wonderful summer, filled with flowers and friends. Some of my friends in the United States and faced with big political discussions and movements. Others are unaffected and continuing on with their lives.
I’m in Melbourne and all I can talk about is what this experience is like.
I want to write a really good, well-worded blog post about this. Because I have this platform that can, perhaps, make a difference – to help in this fight.
But, at the end of the day. I’m white. And I feel that right now, it’s really important to leave the internet for voices that have been suppressed.
If you’d like to read another blog of a strong, incredible woman to understand more, please read Mae’s blog about her experiences. It’s so important that we understand, learn and grow through this.
If you don’t have money to donate, go to Youtube and let the videos roll through that will support the Black Lives Matter movement. Spotify has something similar.
In the meantime, I won’t be writing blog posts. You can still, always reach out to me via Instagram @mermaidyogaadventures, email: watermelon_lover31@hotmail.com or Whatsapp +61404455663. I’m still running yoga classes as well if you’d just like to get on your mat and flow.
I encourage you all, at this time, to really sit and listen. Don’t get angry. Don’t get fragile. Just witness the pain and do everything you can to make yourself a better person, even if it means breaking down everything and starting again. Read everything and learn as much as you can. I know that’s what I’m doing during this time. And if you’re looking for resources, please reach out. If I don’t know, I’ll find someone who does.
What can a travel writer write about when no one can travel? With borders internationally, and even statewide closed due to the global pandemic, it seems that all we do is stay put.
For the past 5 years, I have constantly been in a state of being away travelling or looking forward to the next time that I go overseas.
So, what is there to look forward to now? And also, what the hell do I write about?
It’s been probably the longest I’ve ever gone between blog posts. Why? Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m not travelling. I’m staying at home and pressing pause on life.
I’ve been trying to keep warm – an issue that I haven’t had to worry about in a very long time. I’m not working so, therefore, not saving. So it’s really just downtime. Just time to do puzzles, listen to podcasts and watch movies.
