Social Distancing is the Ultimate Seva
As many of you know, we closed our doors last week before any mandates were made, in an effort to curtail the disaster that COVID-19 is rampaging. I’ve cried, cussed, and more in this perceived unfairness. Our studio is the result of love, determination, hard work, and service. I saw a need in the community and decided to take the leap and open a sacred space to serve families of all sizes, shapes, and statures. So when I closed last week, I was borderline hysterical but in the time since then, my practice has revealed something to me.
It’s taught me that service isn’t about what I want it to be all the time. Social distancing is the ultimate seva in this time and space. I see yoga teachers saying that there’s no way they could stop teaching right now (even though all studios are shut down) because their community needs them. And in this belief, I have seen too many people ignoring the mandates and choosing to gather at great risk to the worldwide community. I’m not here to disparage though…I agree, their community needs each other and their practice in this time. Their sense of safety is powerfully evident in their yoga community! But to be of service, we must live by the yoga sutras and do no harm to everyone. The evidence tells us that right now, the ultimate seva, a sacrifice even, is to practice social distancing to slow the rapid spread of this virus.
In this lesson though, I learned that while this is true, modern technology allows us to retain our community even if it looks different. So many of us have computers and phones that allow us to practice with each other and still be of service to all, by listening to the scientists and public health officials to give more people a fighting chance during this pandemic and to deliver classes that help us find our center. But it would be hard to see this as seva without re-framing and realizing that yoga teaches us so much more than how to do crow pose.
Even though we are isolated physically from one another, we don’t have to be emotionally distant. If you are feeling lonely and stir crazy, join us in our online group!
Note: your financial support during this time ensures we are able to serve and remain a place of safety and comfort for families. Please consider becoming a Patron or donating if you can. Shares and invites are always appreciated as well! Many local businesses are suffering and even a little goes a long way!