Yoga Behind Bars

Yoga Behind BarsI had the amazing gift of joining my Two Rivers community of friends to practice in moving prayer for the benefit of Yoga Behind Bars.  We’re part of a wonderful fundraising effort called Gratitude in Motion in which many local studios are giving heart and thanks.   It was so good to see the many faces coming together in the LIGHT!

We moved in fluid synchrony with moments of calm to really take in the moment, the miracle.  Our friend and teacher, Kelley, explained that at the very moment we were practicing another friend and teacher, Cathy Iacobazzi, was offering yoga to residents of the Women’s Correctional Center in Monroe.  I felt a sense of connection and empathy grow imagining the women “inside” breathing with us.

In the quiet moments of savasana I began extending loving kindness to “them” – wishing they be safe and well.  In the inner space of quiet a wish that “they” forgive and be forgiven arose.  It started to swell inside me as I realized there are things that I haven’t forgiven myself for nor have I forgiven others.   It struck my heart like a resounding bell – this realization – this truth.  Us and them started to dissolve into we.  Today, I wish that we all can forgive and be forgiven.  In boundless gratitude.