{"id":14978,"date":"2023-06-05T19:34:47","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T19:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/?p=111717"},"modified":"2023-06-05T19:34:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T19:34:47","slug":"why-queer-yoga-spaces-are-vital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/05\/why-queer-yoga-spaces-are-vital\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Queer Yoga Spaces Are Vital"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! <a href="https:\/\/outsideapp.onelink.me\/wOhi\/6wh1kbvw" class="o-content-cta-link" data-analytics-event="click" data-analytics-data="{"name":"Element Clicked","props":{"destination_url":"https:\/\/outsideapp.onelink.me\/wOhi\/6wh1kbvw","domain":"<>","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}”>Download the app<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to call you that,\u201d she said, her nose wrinkling in what appeared to be disgust.<\/p>\n

My face tightened and started to flush. I was at a yoga conference in St. Louis, and had been delighted that participants were asked to share their pronouns on their name badges. I had dutifully written mine down\u2013they\/them\/their\u2013and had barely made it ten steps from the check-in table before a fellow conference participant stopped to make her pronouncement:  \u201cI\u2019m not <\/em>going to call you that<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease do,\u201d I said, rather meekly, worried about making a scene in a professional setting. I wanted to stand up for myself. I also wished someone else was there to witness what was happening, and perhaps to intervene on my behalf.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just not correct,\u201d she insisted. \u201cI\u2019ll call you \u2018she\u2019 or nothing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call me anything then,\u201d I responded, feeling a little more confident, albeit deeply unseen. I walked away without another word.<\/p>\n

In my hotel room later, I wished I had said more. I knew there were other transgender and non-binary people at the conference, and I hated to think that they were likely experiencing the same treatment, the same erasure. I wished there had been a way to educate the woman who had stepped into my path, to make her see me in my wholeness and treat me with affirmation, or at least with respect.<\/p>\n

Why You Need to Own Responsibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I am an educator and advocate, called to create inclusive spaces for self inquiry and inner work<\/a>. In owning that role, it can be difficult not to feel a sense of responsibility when others show their ignorance, even when they\u2019re the ones causing me harm. It\u2019s tragically ironic that in the moments when those of us who experience systemic oppression need to be able to care for ourselves the most, we are too often faced with abject pressure to put others before ourselves. We are too often expected to prioritize someone else\u2019s feelings, comfort, and growth at times when we need to be soothed and supported. It\u2019s as if dominant culture were designed to burn us out.<\/p>\n

In this case, the conference organizers had done just enough homework to know that sharing pronouns and providing gender-neutral restrooms and accommodations was important in minimizing the harm that\u2019s often inflicted upon trans people in yoga spaces and beyond. These were certainly steps in the right direction.<\/p>\n

What was lacking, however, were educational resources that could have helped inform this woman\u2019s behavior. Participants weren\u2019t given community guidelines that might have prevented this woman from misgendering me without recourse. Given these lapses, the burden fell to me.<\/p>\n

Queer and trans people\u2014and anyone who experiences systemic oppression\u2014should not be held solely responsible for creating the safe and affirming spaces they need in order to exist. Our existence is a fact, not a question to be answered or a problem to be solved. We deserve to be seen and held in that truth without having to prove or defend ourselves.<\/p>\n

The Climate for Trans People<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Having to educate others about the oppression you face is a heavy lift. It\u2019s a service I\u2019ve opted to offer professionally, when I\u2019m being adequately compensated for my labor, but too often it\u2019s one that I\u2019m asked to provide for free. I\u2019ve lost track of the number of yoga studio owners who have asked me for free education, as well as the number of studio owners who have failed to follow through after I\u2019ve advised them.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve lost track of the number of times a teacher has walked into the room, greeting the class with, \u201cHey ladies!,\u201d never stopping to question where their assumptions are coming from or who they\u2019re hurting. I\u2019ve lost track of the number of promotional fliers I\u2019ve seen for prenatal yoga classes that advertise only to \u201cmamas,\u201d leaving out gestational parents of other genders. I\u2019ve definitely lost track of the number of times someone has assumed my pronouns in yoga spaces, either not understanding or not caring how painful that is for me. It\u2019s especially hurtful in spaces where I come looking for respite and healing.<\/p>\n

The current socio-political climate for trans people, in the United States and much of the world, is dismal. According to translegislation.com<\/a>, in 2023 alone, 556 anti-trans bills have been introduced across 49 US states, impacting access to vital healthcare, employment, restrooms, sports, and more. Despite trans people having increased representation in media and elected office, law-makers across the country are trying to legislate trans bodies out of existence, and it\u2019s taking a major toll on our well-being.<\/p>\n

With each new anti-trans bill that makes the news, queer and trans people in my circle describe feeling anything from unsettled to actively threatened, their nervous systems on high alert. They describe grief and collective trauma wrought by the loss of LGBTQIA+ loved ones to murder, suicide, and neglect. They describe exhaustion, burnout, and an immense need for rest. We should be able to find some kind of respite in yoga<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why We Need Affinity Yoga Spaces<\/h2>\n

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be a yoga teacher and practitioner with access to tools for self-inquiry, relaxation, and healing. When I can\u2019t access a communal space for practice, I can guide myself. But most queer and trans people are not yoga teachers, and the search for yoga spaces that are affirming to LGBTQIA+ people can be taxing.<\/p>\n

I know trans people who have given up on yoga altogether because they can\u2019t find a place to practice that allows them to be their whole selves, actively affirmed and not just tolerated. It\u2019s such a shame\u2013and downright unacceptable\u2013that there aren\u2019t more spaces within the yoga community doing the work of ahimsa and satya, non-harm and truthfulness, and creating equitable and accessible spaces for queer and trans people to be led in practice.<\/p>\n

We need spaces to practice that are designed with our bodies, identities, and experiences in mind. We also need those spaces to recognize and care for our identity intersections, as we all hold multiple identities that deserve to be seen.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a fat, disabled, queer, and non-binary person; I\u2019m looking for spaces and teachers who can see and respect all of me, not just select parts. The communities I belong to and that I\u2019m working to build and support require the same\u2013spaces that can affirm not just queer identity, or trans identity, but also the nuances of race, caste, dis\/ability, body size, neurodiversity, and more.<\/p>\n

A Place For Us<\/h2>\n

In writing this piece, I polled my communities on Instagram, asking queer and trans yoga practitioners where they go to feel safe and affirmed while they practice. The number one answer was, \u201cat home.\u201d This troubles me, not because there\u2019s anything wrong with home practice, but because I know the benefits of practicing in sangha, or sacred community. This social support could greatly benefit a lot of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I want us to have the same opportunities for collective practice as our straight and cisgender peers.<\/p>\n

My Instagram inquiry (along with some independent research) also yielded some bright spots\u2013a handful of spaces that are actively holding affirming and equitable space for queer and trans folks to practice yoga. Some are in-person studios; some are completely online programs. Some are spaces where all are welcome; others offer yoga that holds space for specific LGBTQIA+ affinity groups. But all have been recommended by a queer and\/or trans person who practices or teaches in those spaces.<\/p>\n

While I can\u2019t vouch for each of them personally\u2014and this isn\u2019t an exhaustive list\u2014the following spaces give me hope that guided, communal practice is within reach for queer and trans communities. I offer these spaces my utmost thanks.<\/p>\n

In-Person Spaces<\/h2>\n

Bhakti Yoga Movement Center<\/h3>\n

Located in Portland, the Bhakti Yoga Movement Center<\/a>\u2019s expressed aim is to offer practices for personal and collective liberation. The studio is BIPOC, South Asian, and queer owned, and the weekly schedule includes classes with many trans, non-binary, and queer teachers. While LGBTQIA+ practitioners are invited to every class, they also offer affinity-based classes  exclusively for queer and trans people.  @thebhaktiyogamovementcenter<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tru Yoga<\/h3>\n

Imani Olear (she\/her), co-owner of Tru Yoga,<\/a> believes that wellness is a civil right. This Black-owned studio in Rochester also has a number of queer and trans teachers in their lineup. Additionally, they operate a scholarship program, Yoga 4 A Good Hood, that specifically serves BIPOC and QTPOC, granting recipients unlimited class access and\/or a financially-accessible option for yoga teacher training. @truyogarochester<\/a><\/p>\n

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Courageous Yoga<\/h3>\n

Operating from the understanding that liberation can only be collective, this trans-owned and operated studio in Denver<\/a> offers sliding-scale, donation-based classes to people in the local community. Their monthly queer- and trans-only affinity space promises to meet participants where they are, along with the guarantee that it will be \u201cvery gay and fun.\u201d  @courageousyoga<\/a><\/p>\n

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Three Queens Yoga<\/h3>\n

Three Queens Yoga<\/a> in Philadelphia, PA, is on a mission to democratize and decolonize yoga. Several queer and non-binary teachers grace their schedule, and the about page on their website includes an explicit invitation for Black, Brown, and Queer folks, stating, \u201cWelcome. We are you.\u201d They also make their values and community agreements clear online, setting the stage for an affirming and aligned practice. @threequeensyoga<\/a><\/p>\n

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Heart Fire Yoga<\/h3>\n

Heart Fire Yoga<\/a> is queer-owned studio on the west side of Buffalo. Taking a locally-oriented approach, they aim to serve the surrounding community by offering inclusive yoga classes, workshops, and community gatherings. They also offer a weekly, queer-led community class exclusively for queer and trans practitioners. @heartfireyoga<\/a><\/p>\n

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Online Spaces<\/h2>\n

Alchemystic Studio<\/h3>\n

This queer, Desi-owned and -founded online studio<\/a> doesn\u2019t necessarily have the extensive class schedule that you\u2019d find at a brick-and-mortar studio, but what it does offer knocks inclusion out of the park. Founder Meesha Sharma (they\/she) emphasizes that activism as an essential part of the complete yoga practice. The small teaching lineup is majority queer and trans and 100 percent BIPOC.<\/p>\n

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Yoga with Avery<\/h3>\n

Avery Kalapa <\/a>(they\/them) refers to themselves as a \u201cQueer & Trans affirming Iyengar teacher rooted in collective liberation.\u201d In addition to weekly classes, their online platform regularly features offerings that are specifically designed for fellow queer and trans practitioners. If you can\u2019t make their livestream classes, they also have a library of on-demand classes, all available via an equity-based pricing model. @yoga_with_avery\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tejal Yoga Online<\/h3>\n

Founded by yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer Tejal Patel (they\/she), Tejal Yoga Online<\/a> is a welcoming, social-justice-oriented place of practice for anyone who cares about the deep roots and work of yoga. The teaching team showcases the diversity of South Asian teacher\/practitioners, bringing in a variety of voices and lived experiences. Their stated aim is to offer \u201ccurious, open and questioning spaces that utilize yoga to raise the power and increase belonging of all individuals and communities.\u201d And while asana is on the menu, their holistic schedule also weaves in pranayama (breath work) and meditation. @tejalyoga\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Accessible Yoga Studio<\/h3>\n

Operated by the queer-founded and -directed non-profit Accessible Yoga Association, the Accessible Yoga Studio<\/a> is a relatively new space for communal practice. The association takes a broad view of accessibility, and they include affirming space for queer, trans, and gender-expansive people under that definition. Practitioners can join them for weekly classes and monthly workshops that emphasize creativity, social justice, and equity for all. @accessibleyoga\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ganesh Space<\/h3>\n

This collaborative non-profit with multiple queer and trans founding teachers, is distinct from everything else on this list. While you won\u2019t find a traditional class schedule on their website<\/a>, you will find a wealth of philosophically-aligned, mindfulness-based services and offerings that support the wellness of oppressed communities. In particular, their eight-week virtual Mindful Changemakers program is designed to help participants use mindfulness tools for personal healing and collective liberation. @ganeshspace<\/a><\/p>\n

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About Our Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n

M Camellia, RYT-500, is a fat, queer, non-binary yoga teacher and accessibility advocate in the Washington, DC metro area. Their calling is to create inclusive spaces for self-inquiry and the inward journey by integrating spiritual teachings and accessible, trauma-informed movement practices with the spirit of social justice. M believes that the goal of yoga, as of life, is collective liberation, and challenges yoga practitioners to dismantle the oppressive systems and beliefs, within themselves and society at large, that hold us all back.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Why<\/figure>\n

Now more than ever, LGBTQIA+ people need yoga options that are welcoming and affirming.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post Why Queer Yoga Spaces Are Vital<\/a> appeared first on Yoga Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[37,35,36],"class_list":["post-14978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ayurveda","tag-blogs","tag-yoga","tag-yogacourseware"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14978"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14978\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}