1 Year Look-back
It's been one year since the opening of this virtual space! I've been reflecting on all that's transpired in the last twelve months and how much that feels other-worldy and super grounded.
Before the Tejal Yoga space, I was a yoga teacher living in New York City. It was my 13th year in the Big Apple and there wasn't an end in sight! The pandemic took many of us by surprise and I'm still astounded at the devastating impacts. Here are just a few highlights that are circulating in my mind and heavy in my heart:
Rising Anti-Asian American Violence Didn’t Start With The Covid-19 Pandemic
Your Voting Rights, Abortion Rights and Trans Rights Are at Grave Risk in the States
It's been hard not to let the news cycle of impending doom and unjustified human rights abuses stop me. Sometimes it feels as if I'm wearing lead boots or that my mind is thick with anxiety and confusion. I credit my practice and the wise teachers that came before me for guiding me through. Lately, I've been relying on teachings of Lama Rad Owens, Adrienne Maree Brown, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr. Gail Parker, and the Bhagavad Gita. I've been reminded to keep working and educating through the work of my peers Susanna Barkataki, Anjali Rao, Michelle Johnson, and Jacoby Ballard. It's you, in this community, that gives me hope.
After two weeks of lockdown and after one hella inspired tech-filled 16 hour day of online site building Tejal Yoga was live and online. I did most of the scheduling and website building on a Sunday, with a ton of friends on a zoom call. It was a long day as we all worked on different tasks and hobbies, inspiring each other to dream, create, and build. If not for my friends, who knows when I would have launched TY? (Thank you, Nicole!!) I wonder about that sometimes.
But go live happened, and I'd like to share what has emerged in just one year of love, sweat, purpose, and grit.
In 52 Weeks, we've hosted:
✨ 336 Movement classes
✨ 170 Meditation classes
✨ 17 Community/Fundraiser/Donation classes
✨ 16 Chakra Meditation Series Students
✨ 130 Educational Workshops Students
✨ 9 Guest Teacher Weekends
✨ 8 Community Hours
✨ 1 Membership Chai Hour
Things that make me go YAY!
✨ We built our foundation on Shared Leadership and Decolonized Wellness with a focus on People and Justice.
✨ We pay our Team on time
✨ We gather in South Asian led community spaces where you become equipped and dedicated to Social Justice actions.
It's enough to make my head spin! Thank the gods, we've got a whole community of support to share this excitement with! I know too well what it's like to exist with my head down in constant work-hustle repeat mode. So I'd like to take this moment to share with you in spite of everything that is going on in this world, these incredible accomplishments. If you're willing, join me in a full inhale, a pause to reflect, and an exhale to release. Thank you for being on this journey.
I'll end this note with a request and a reflection question:
✨ If you've been planning to join class one day, why don't you sign up now? I think we can agree there simply is no better or worse time.✨
✨ What have you received from being in the Tejal Yoga space this past year? The whole team and I would like to know your reflections in your reply. ✨
Warmly,
Tejal and the entire Tejal Yoga Team
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