On Community & Authenticity
Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide Winter Gathering, Florida February 2020
“Authentic practices of yoga are meant to point us towards some authentic truth about our Self and the nature of the world. But just what is an authentic yoga practice? At the gathering we explore what it means to be authentically ourselves, what constitutes and authentic practice, and what it means to be a part of an authentic community. The intention not to provide easy answers, but rather to explore these questions together.” Greg Nardi
Last week I had the immense privilege to be a part of the teaching collective at Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide Winter Gathering in Florida. Since 2015 in London, Greg Nardi from Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide, Scott Johnson of Stillpoint Yoga London and myself from Mysore Yoga Paris have held a community gathering for Ashtangi’s to gather, practice, discuss topics of the moment, and enjoy. This was the first time that this event was held in the United States. Several teachers from different shalas in the Florida Yoga community including Jade Skinner, Amy Lucky, Amanda Palermo, and Todd McLaughlin were invited to co-teach. This collaborative event themed around Authenticity was created by the community coming together with intention.
”Once upon a time, I remember being pre-occupied with the question of what is essential for yoga to be considered authentic. I felt that if I could just discover what that essence was, I could follow an authentic path that would reward me with the acceptance that I secretly yearned for. What I have realized is that the essence of yoga is malleable and responsive and that no path is any more or less authentic than another. What yoga has taught me is that the path is to become more authentically my Self in each moment and the only thing essential to that path is that it points to that authenticity. From that authentic space then I am free as I act skilfully in the world. Out of the flames that have burned away many of my false beliefs, identities and conceptions these past few years has arisen the freedom to be who I’ve always known in moments of deep clarity. I will inevitably build new false beliefs and identities, I’m only human, but I hope to have the wisdom to see them sooner and continue to discard the false for the real.” Greg Nardi
At the gathering I met Erica Morton Magill of LA Yoga Club. In December 2019, only a couple of months prior to the AWW Winter Gathering, Erica and her partner Spiros Antonopoulos hosted Kinship, a gathering in the desert in Los Angeles to open a dialogue about the history of Ashtanga Yoga´s hierarchical structures, and how to move forward together as a community. Peg Mulqueen of Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast, recorded Erica´s opening statement that needs to be heard by everyone and all in the Ashtanga Yoga world. I urge you to take a moment and listen deeply especially at 4:04 where she begins her statement.
“These next episodes will be devoted to one story … Of how a community moves beyond the authoritarian Guru model, and away from the kind of hierarchical structures and rules of silence that have allowed for its members to be hurt, ostracized, and abused. It’s a story about learning from one another - and leaning on one another. One that shifts the focus from rules and dogma - to people and relationships; where leadership is shared and all voices, heard. Because we are the authors. And this is our story. One that begins today - with Kinship.” Peg Mulqueen Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast
The Winter Gathering 2020 captured by Magnus Naddermier.
The annual Stillpoint Yoga London Spring Gathering with Scott Johnson, Greg Nardi and Kia Naddermier will be held May 9-10 2020.
Dates for the Florida Winter Gathering 2021 will be announced soon…
Kia Naddermier, Paris February 2020