Let’s Show up for India.

There seems to be quite a bit of silence in the yoga community regarding the covid and oxygen crisis in India. The silence is shocking to say the least.

What is it that we can do to make the world a better place? How can we take responsibility for our white privilege and the ways we are engaging in cultural appropriation? We all do it, it’s been part of our western cultural to capitalize and profit in whatever ways we can without truly considering what we are taken and from whom. I used to create collages with Native American Indians in them and sell them. I quickly realized that I cannot do that. I donated the profits to stand with standing rock and other indigenous organizations. I don’t offer those images anymore, they are only donation pieces. I have used yoga images and kundalini images and concepts in my work, along with deitys and goddesses from India. I see yoga Mats. Is this ok? I don’t think so. No, it really isn’t. Can I give back? Yes. Will I remain silent? No. We can all make a substantial effort to give back? Can we show up? Ive made the decision that during the health crisis any artwork that uses any type of Indian culture reference is now a donation piece- that means all proceeds/profit will be donated.

Let’s take a look at what we are doing, what we are taking from other cultures, what tools, practices, symbols and ideas are we using? Isn’t it time to bring balance to the world?

Let’s make this world better. Let be better humans and lift up humanity. Not tomorrow but Today. Let’s be better humans today. Let’s incorporate all of that yoga practice right now. If you are a yoga teacher, if you practice yoga, if you sell malas, yoga clothes, chakra jewelry or reference any type of Indian culture in your business, you could show up for India.