A Letter from Kia – The Evolution of our Shala
“...however much we want to cling to how things were and the safety of what we know - yoga urges us again and again, to breath bravely into the mystery of what is.”
Dearest Mysore Yoga Paris Sangha,
Sitting down to write this, I feel my heartmind like a turbulent river of emotions I not yet have found words for…
It´s quite overwhelming all the changes that this pandemic year has brought to all of our lives.
I have used this time to look closely and honestly into my teaching process. Reflecting on how to continue to serve my community with authenticity, compassion - and in alignment with where we find ourselves now. Knowing that however much we want to cling to how things were and the safety of what we know - yoga urges us again and again, to breath bravely into the mystery of what is.
I´m so grateful to have kept our shala and its community together through out this entire year of upheaval and uncertainty. Although this has been the most vulnerable time for our Shala and myself, the Mysore Yoga Paris community, the practice and teachings have expanded in ways I never imagined. I feel deeply devoted to continue to serve our Sangha in a way that fully reflects this evolution and inclusivity.
So after 10 years of upholding a flourishing daily Mysore Shala in Paris, I have decided not to fix myself to a physical space this autumn. I feel that drop-in classes are not the most supportive structure for quality teaching and learning inclusive of all limbs of yoga.
So with a tender heart, I´m finally taking a courageous step away from this format. Allowing more freedom and depth for growing our community in ways reflective of this holistic development - through Workshops, Retreats, In Depth Trainings, Online Courses and Mysore Intensives in Paris and elsewhere… Our beloved Mysore Yoga Paris community will continue to grow and share all aspects of practice through an open, inclusive, yet deeply held Shala without fixed walls. This evolution is coming from my heartfelt, sincere devotion to the development and growth of you - my students, my community, my Sangha.
Feeling my own words falling short, I share with you a poem by Kalhil Gibran that lies very close to my heart through this time and process.
“It is said that before entering the sea, the river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has traveled, from the peaks of the mountains, the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her, she sees an ocean so vast, that to enter there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river cannot go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk of entering the ocean, because only then will fear disappear, because that’s where the river will know it’s not about disappearing into the ocean, but of becoming the ocean.”
With my deepest Bow, and All my Love and Blessings
kia x
Paris, June 2021
I will take my time to let this grow organically out of your response, listening carefully to your feed-back, insights and ideas - but for now you can join me here: