My mission is to reach out to women living in local homeless shelters who would otherwise not have the opportunity to take a yoga class, who are in need of self care and love, who might feel disconnected, invisible or powerless. I want to share the gift of yoga and meditation with these women, and I am documenting my experiences in the hope of paving the way for more yoga instructors from around the area to join me on this mission.

Current Status of Project: The project began in January 2009, when I began teaching yoga at a Hartford shelter twice a month. At its height in mid-summer, we had 3 teachers working at 2 different locations every other week. Yoga was now seen as a valuable addition to the shelter's wellness offerings. The women came to look forward to the class, which prompted the shelter to add a yoga class as part of their regular program offerings. This brought the project to a turning point as the shelter took over the program, recruiting their own yoga instructors from their affiliated church in order to sustain the offerings of yoga to the women at the shelter. This was the best possible outcome we could have hoped for - to start a program that would eventually run itself! But it was also a reminder to let go and continue the journey. We offered our guidence and support to the new teachers, and are now looking forward to our next endeavor.

Journal notes from 1st class:

I taught a Yoga/DanceAwakenings class last night at a women’s shelter in Hartford. There are 14 women staying there who are homeless, I cannot list other details due to confidentiality but suffice it to say that their stories are all probably harder than anything most of us can imagine. The class was mandatory for all 14 women, and the room was so tiny I had no idea how we were all going to fit. I entered the room and saw them all staring cynically at me, as in what the hell kinda crap are you gonna try to make us do girl, so I gave them a cheerful Hello, dropped off the mats, and ran out of the room to go back to my car for the rest of my supplies.

When I got back in the room, they had laid out all the mats back to back themselves and were sitting on them ready to go! I couldn't believe it! Bring it on girl! So we did, and they were amazing! We started with some gentle neck rolls, and I hear them all saying to each other damn that feels really good! We talked about breath, and how it is your best friend, because no matter what kind of situation you are in, it is always there with you to fall back on, and I saw them nodding their head thinking that could come in handy someday. They growled out their anger in lions breath so many times I lost track of the count. While holding Warrior II, they shouted out their affirmations 'I am healthy and I am strong' with such conviction I think the neighbors heard it.

And then, we danced. They danced like they were having the time of their life, they danced like there was no past and no future, they danced just like you and me. Ok, maybe many of them were better dancers than me, but you know what I mean. We moved into a circle together holding hands, as India Arie sang about “Strength, Courage and Wisdom.” They laughed, hugged and hi-5’d each other when it was over.

Then we sank back to the floor to go back into the body and breath. The room got quiet, minus a few giggles because they were practically lying on top of each other, and we did our best trying to meditate. When I told them they can start moving again when they felt ready, several of them just continued to lie still. We ended in a circle introducing ourselves with our first name and saying one thing that brings us peace. Their answers included books, journaling, the smell of the air after the rain, summertime, and walking outside. Only one lady said ‘nothing’, she was the toughest of the crowd, wearing her apathy like a fashion statement. And the lady who just sat in the chair the whole time rocking herself said, with her first smile of the night, that music brings her peace.

We concluded with Namaste, which they said with enthusiasm and earnest. They pleaded to do it again soon, I can’t wait to go back! Thanks to Dori and my Tae San Yogies, I was able to leave them with a full supply of mats to practice on until next time. It made me feel like my idealistic belief of making an impact in the world with yoga isn’t such an illusion after all. This class was made to share with people like this. They are craving a chance to just be themselves, have fun, and savor a moment of peace.

I am sharing this with you because all of you who have taken class with me helped make this happen by giving me strength, love and encouragement. Namaste.

Continue reading more stories from the shelter.

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