by S.L. Jordan
Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” –David Spangler
Sankrit is a beautiful language, and one I feel will keep us all connected. But, beyond its rich literary and philosophical heritage, Sankrit possesses a remarkable characteristic: the intrinsic connection between its words and its meanings. The word “सह” (saha) represents the concept of togetherness or companionship.
A major part of who I am, and my sun sign as an Aquarius, is the belief in all things being connected. Without jumping into my linguistic/sapiosexual bag I will spare you from the rabbit hole I went down on this word and meaning, BUT if you are my spirit animal and want to journey down that hole - start here.
First let me start by saying that, I had been living in Houston for a few years and had my circle of close friends, but life was taking us in different directions, and I said to myself, I want to make new friends. Most adults will tell you it's hard to make friends in this stage of life, but I decided to start with my hobbies and find like-minded people. I did it with my writing by taking creative writing classes for people of color - and found a group of women I adore.
So, when I started practicing yoga, I figured I would naturally find a crew there too.
I can't even say yoga in itself has expanded my community, I know it has more to do with WHERE I choose to practice that gave room for that growth. I've mentioned in previous posts that BIG is my home studio here in Houston, TX. Even though I have been practicing for five years, I had visited enough studios to have a sense of how the space feels and more importantly how it makes ME feel.
Even before I started working at BIG part time and teaching on the New Teacher schedule, I loved the feeling I had when I walked in. The experts at the front desk always knew my name, and I will admit - AT FIRST - I thought it was because there weren't a lot of Black girls coming in the studio. After a few months, I realized that was the culture of the studio - to make yogi's feel seen and special when they walk through the door. And something as simple as greeting people by their name does that, I see it now when a yogi walks in and I say, "Hi Josh". Their surprise that I remembered their names in a sea of yogis is written across their face.
Yes, I see you boo!
I had someone tell me the other day, "that I exude a warmth that is palpable". As someone who values the support and human connection I get in community, that acknowledgement made ME feel good that "I'm walkin' it like I talk it" - ya know?
I AM A STAND FOR COMMUNITY.
It's one of the saddest things to me for people to have NO ONE. Not when we are all navigating this excruciatingly beautiful experience as human beings, no matter what it's the humanity that connects us all.
Twice a year, BIG has a yoga challenge that is intended to keep people on their ma'ats but also meant to do some inner reflective work and connect with the community. This was my second time being a team leader -and the second time my team has won the challenge- and the experience was so beautiful.
I had the chance to really get to know yogis off the ma'at that I see on a regular basis. I could feel how much they appreciated the connection. The timing of the challenge is no accident either - it kicks off in the fall when seasonal depression starts to rear its head, when all the fun from the summer has started to wear off and you need an outlet. This go round I had a lot of First Time Challengers on my team, and I am SO proud of the effort and discipline they maintained throughout the six weeks. Doing yoga 4xs a week PLUS a group meeting PLUS daily meditations PLUS journaling is a huge commitment to make.
They did it though.
For one of my team community events, I hosted a Spooky Movie Night, and we watched Scream V - honey, the way we was cutting up and screaming in that studio??? Felt like 1997 all over again!!

At the end of the challenge, I was asked to Co-Teach the Finishers Party for the Cornerstone Group. I was honored they asked me for a multitude of reasons.
The MAIN reason being I used to be a regular yogi with the Tuesday Night 8pm Cornerstone Group, but I NEVER knew who they were. I just thought they were a youth organization that did yoga on Tuesday nights - which honestly, is cool by itself. I could see that there were parents attending these classes with their kids, and again - I was like, THAT'S SO COOL. I was probably going consistently to class for THREE months before I learned that Cornerstone is actually a Recovery Youth Organization. They support families and young adults with drug addictions.
That blew my mind. I had never even seen a group like this and definitely had not experienced that type of community they held with each other. I really got to know some of the kids and parents in that group. So, when their leader asked if I would be interested in Co-Teaching I JUMPED at the opportunity.
I got to teach with Meggie, one of the first teachers at BIG whose classes I took regularly, and with two of my TEP alums. It was a powerful class - acknowledging and honoring the kids and parentswho completed the challenge.
Yoga has influenced the BEST parts of my life, OFF THE MA'AT ...
but ...
Meet Me on the Ma'at
Comments