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COMMUNITY YOGA DAY
May 19-21, 2023
Our third group of 200-hr Yoga Teacher Trainees (YTTs), affectionately known as "GAMMA" are graduating on May 21! These past nine months have been nothing short of amazing so we're inviting you in on the celebration :) As part of their final practicum, YTTs are to: 1) lead a 60-minute community yoga class; and 2) create and facilitate a Sankofa Seva, a service project applying yoga's ethical principles to address social justice issues. Read below about their amazing work and join their community classes on Friday, May 19th; Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st. Classes are FREE!
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FRIDAY, 5/19
6:00 – 7:00 pm Tiffany #
6:30 – 7:30 pm Morgan ^
7:30 – 8:30 pm Lola #
8:00 - 9:00 pm Kishanna ^
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SATURDAY, 5/20
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dana #
6:30 – 7:30 pm Shani ^
SUNDAY, 5/21
8:30 – 9:30 am Martya #
9:00 – 10:00 am Shukri ^
10:00 – 11:00 am Senttra #
10:30 - 11:30 am Shanae ^
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^ Upstairs Studio (please arrive 5-10 minutes earlier)
# Downstairs Studio (please arrive 5-10 minutes earlier)
Tiffany Dabney
Community Yoga Class
THE ART OF LETTING GO FLOW
Fri. May 19, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Downstairs
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In this class we will move through a series of gentle and flowing yoga postures that’s are designed to release tension and create space in the body. We will also explore mindfulness practices and breath work techniques to help cultivate a deeper sense of presence and awareness.
Sankofa Seva Project
Beyond Attachment: A Workshop on Letting go and Finding Peace
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Many of us may have grown up with limiting beliefs and negative self talk that has been instilled in us by our families. These beliefs can hold you back from achieving one’s full potential and contributes to negative patterns. Practicing apraigarha “non attachment” allows us to recognize these limiting beliefs and letting go of them, creating space for new beliefs to take root.
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MISSION: To learn different techniques for releasing attachment including a gentle yoga practice focused on letting go, journaling exercises to explore the concept of attachment, mindfulness walks and group discussions on the challenges of non attachment and ways to overcome them.
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GOAL: To h,elp my community move beyond attachment and find peace in their daily lives
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DATE(S): MAY 2, 4 & 11, 2023
LOCATION: The Upper Room DC & Bruce Monroe Park
Morgan Hamilton
Community Yoga Class
Lola Salaam
Community Yoga Class
Sankofa Seva Project
ZENergy Flow
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Fri. May 19, 2023
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Upstairs
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Seeking more balance on and off the mat? Want to feel the heat but also find some ease? This balanced vinyasa flow class is sure to leave yogis of all levels feeling energized and rejuvenated for the weekend to come! Join me as we journey through a series of flowing postures to build heat, strength, and stability before closing with restorative postures to refresh and center the mind and body.
Sankofa Seva Project
Yoga for Beginner’s at Sarah’s House: Exploring Ahimsa
Through the lens of ahimsa, Morgan's Sankofa Seva project addresses homelessness in her community. A free yoga class exclusively for the residents of Sarah’s House, a supportive housing program servicing families experiencing homelessness in Anne Arundel County. This class will guide residents through the basics of yoga, helping to improve flexibility, balance, and strength through various postures, breathing techniques, and proper alignment while promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
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MISSION: To offer a safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing homelessness while promoting access to wellness practices that are largely inaccessible to the homeless community. This yoga class will serve as a tool for stress relief, physical health, and mental clarity, which can promote physical and mental health and overall wellbeing.
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GOAL: To introduce Sarah’s House residents to the practice of yoga in hopes that they feel empowered, affirmed, and supported as they move towards their goal of finding stable housing and achieving long-term sustainability.
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DATE: MAY 9, 2023
LOCATION: Sarah's House; Fort Meade, MD.
AFRObility
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Fri. May 19, 2023
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Downstairs
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Come enjoy this beginner friendly flow which intertwines beats, bends and breathwork. Our intention will focus on comforting the mind, strengthening the body, and exploring our mobility. Join me as we go from binds to bliss!
Daisy Days
Focusing on Santosha and Svadhyaya as a yogic principles, Daisy Days is a project working with early elementary girls. It endeavored to establish the importance of self-study and knowing and enjoying one's self as they are.
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MISSION: To introduce and further young girls in their exploration of yoga as a practice beyond the mat.
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GOAL: Group discussions about mental health, coping strategies and the importance of self-care while enjoying light snacks. This was followed by a physical yoga practice which included breathwork and a range of asanas. Additionally, each girl explored the opportunity to be a leader and demonstrate skills that they learned in order to share with others.
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DATES: APRIL 14 & MAY 4
LOCATION: Gorman Crossing Elementary School
Kishanna Laurie
Community Yoga Class
ROOTING INTO REST
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Fri. May 19, 2023
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Upstairs
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The quality of your sleep can be greatly affected by the amount of emotional, spiritual and physical stress you experience throughout your day. It can also cause your nervous system to become dysregulated. You may have difficulty falling asleep or sleeping throughout the night. Join me for a bedtime Yin Yoga sequence to release tension in the body and get more comfortable before bed. Plus you’ll tap into an inner calm, nurture your root chakra, which allows you to sleep more easily, and wake up more refreshed in the morning.
Sankofa Seva Project
Great Day of Service: Rise Against Hunger
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Kishanna's Seva is in the spirit of brahmacharya (non-excess). Scarcity is an illusion, hoarding of resources is real. We live in abundance. Capitalism makes people believe that there is a limited supply. When we practice and engage in community and collective care, everyone can be fed.
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MISSION: An offering up of time, energy, love and support to those who are in need.
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GOAL: Creating a healthy exchange of energy with others. Understanding that at any given time, anyone of us could be the on the receiving end of needing support.
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DATE: MAY 7
LOCATION: Foundry United Methodist Baptist Church
Dana Gordon
Community Yoga Class
SACRAL STRETCH & FLOW
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Sat. May 20, 2023
6:00 PM -7:00 PM
Downstairs
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Awaken your creative expression, femininity, and sensuality with this slow-flow and stretch class. We will open our sacral chakras through asanas, deep stretches, & creative movements to release tension and show ourselves some love.
Sankofa Seva Project
Breaking Stigmas: Women In Cannabis
Dana created a wellness workshop for women in leadership positions in the cannabis industry. Here they went through an hour of discussion & journaling where we talked through what it’s like to be a woman in leadership in this new industry & talked through stigmas around people working in the cannabis space. They did an hour of elevated yoga that allowed space for movement, healing, & fun.
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MISSION: To break down the stigmas around women working in cannabis, bring light to the challenges of women in leadership positions, & provide the women with self-care routines that they can take back home with them.
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GOAL: To provide a safe space for women in leadership in cannabis to heal, express themselves, and medicate.
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DATE: APRIL 28, 2023
LOCATION: House of Herbs
Shani Banks
Community Yoga Class
SHANTI FLOW
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Sat. May 20, 2023
6:30 PM -7:30 PM
Upstairs
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​A moving meditation through a fluid, yet active, vinyasa flow. This class links breath with movement to focus the mind and release stress in the body. You will experience "shanti" or deep inner peace as we melt away the tension held in the body and mind. This class is suitable for beginners and advanced yogis alike.
Sankofa Seva Project
Ramadan Mental Health Support Group
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Using svadhyaya and ahimsa as guiding principles, the Ramadan Mental Health Support Group aimed to create space for Muslim adults to meet throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Led by a licensed mental health therapist, participants had the opportunity to openly discuss their own mental health hurdles in relation to the spiritual and physical realities of the holy month. Participants were encouraged to examine and honestly approach their internal states, centering svadhyaya, while also allowing grace and self-compassion to take center stage, highlighting ahimsa.
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MISSION: To openly discuss mental health challenges, find community, and gain resources to support individuals participating in Ramadan.
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GOAL: To meet for 1-hour weekly and discuss common mental health hurdles faced in Ramadan such as shame and guilt, stress and anxiety, fatigue, and disordered eating.
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DATES: MARCH 27 - APRIL 17, 2023
LOCATION: Virtual
Martya Brown
Community Yoga Class
DEEP STRETCH & FLOW​
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Sun. May 21, 2023
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Downstairs
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This class is a full body deep stretch to help alleviate sore muscles and stiff joints. Perfect for those with active lifestyles or those who may not have the opportunity to stretch and move their bodies daily. Then build some heat with a gentle flow as you vibe to the music.
Sankofa Seva Project
Yoga for Friends and Family
Through the lens of ahimsa (non-violence), reinforcing doing no harm to oneself physically and mentally, Martya introduced the principles of yoga and breathwork for friends and family.
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MISSION: To inspire loved ones to join practices, such as yoga, that enhance the mind body connection. Encouraging all to find at least 5 minutes daily for self-love.
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GOAL: To introduce the basic foundations of yoga practice as a way to be present, mindful, and move your body daily. Allowing loved ones to see yoga is accessible for everybody.
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DATE: APRIL 29 & MAY 6
LOCATION: Private Locations
Shukri Abdullahi
Community Yoga Class
SCULPT & FLOW
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Sun. May 21, 2023
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Upstairs
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Join Shukri for a sculpting yoga class and find that quiet inner strength from within. We will be flowing through traditional yoga postures while building heat and gaining strength. This class fuses together traditional hatha and vinyasa. This class is open to all yogis and is beginner friendly.
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Sankofa Seva Project
Making Yoga Accessible
Through the lens of asteya, Shukri provided a community yoga class partnered with Common Good City Farm and Million Mats DC to provide a grounding yoga class on Earth Day, 2023. During that event, community members also had access to produce and wellness services. Common Good City Farm is committed to making nutritious foods accessible and creating a space grounded in food justice for the Community. Million Mats DC makes yoga accessible by providing mats to community organizations to reach marginalized communities.
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MISSION: To hold space for community members who may benefit from yoga by making it accessible and reaching them where they are at.
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GOAL: To provide members of the community who are benefiting from the community garden the option to expand their wellness toolkit with yoga.
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DATE: APRIL 22, 2023
LOCATION: Washington, DC
Senttra Snowden Gregg
Community Yoga Class
STRENGTH & STAMINA FLOW
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Sun. May 21, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Downstairs
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​In this dynamic and energizing class, we will use breath and movement to build strength, improve endurance, and enhance overall fitness. This class is perfect for those looking to challenge themselves physically and mentally, and for anyone seeking to increase their stamina and resilience. You will have the opportunity to explore your edge and go deeper into your practice as we flow through sequences that build heat and intensity. After the sweat session, we’ll end with a restful 15-minute meditation. Don’t forget your towel and water!
Sankofa Seva Project
Release & Restore Melanin Flow
A restoration-focused yoga flow designed for Black and Brown William & Mary students. This 90-minute class includes journaling, community discussion, yoga, and meditation allowing students to connect to their root chakra and svadhyaya, self-study.
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MISSION: To create a safe and nurturing space for Black and Brown students to return to self, unwind, connect to their foundation, and restore. The aim is to offer a supportive environment that promotes physical, mental, and emotional restoration, and to help students develop skills that they can use to reduce stress and anxiety in their everyday lives.
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GOAL: To help students release tension and stress in their bodies, foster emotional & mental restoration, encourage self-study & self-compassion, return to their foundation, and build community & connection.
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DATE: APRIL 24, 2023
LOCATION: William & Mary Wellness Center
Shanae Hudson
Community Yoga Class
CULTIVATING COLLECTIVE HEALING THROUGH SELF-CARE
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Sun. May 21, 2023
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Upstairs
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"A healing journey is not meant to be traveled alone; we all need a supportive community to help us navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories along the way." Within this gentle flow class, I invite you to come explore collective community healing as you are guided through restorative poses, mediation and pranayama to support you in listening to your body and honor its unique needs.
Sankofa Seva Project
Cultivating Collective Healing Through Self-Care
During the "Healing Journey" many self-care practices can often be promoted as individual processes. Although much is learned about self, it can at times feel isolating and arduous. Through a series of one-on-ones which developed into a group meet-up; participants cultivated collective healing through self-care practices by exploring the relationship between their individual self-care practices and their role in contributing to the healing and well-being of the community.
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MISSION: To support individuals in their healing journey by providing a space for them to explore and practice self-care in a collective and community-oriented way.
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GOAL: The project goal is to address the potential isolation and challenges that can arise when engaging in self-care practices, and to promote a sense of interconnectedness and mutual support.
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DATE: MAY 7, 2023 and other dates
LOCATION: Savannah, GA; Canton Waterfront Park Baltimore, MD, SW Waterfront DC and King Spa Chantilly, Virginia