{"id":1128,"date":"2019-01-30T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2019-01-30T12:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/?p=1128"},"modified":"2023-02-20T17:14:28","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T22:14:28","slug":"yoga-body-image-our-intention-guidelines-for-listening-and-allyship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/culture\/yoga-body-image-our-intention-guidelines-for-listening-and-allyship\/","title":{"rendered":"OUR INTENTION AND GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING AND ALLYSHIP"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cBeloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.\u201d \u2013 bell hooks <\/p><\/h2>\n

Conscious listening, compassion, and love.<\/h2>\n

It is in the spirit of building sacred community through conscious listening, compassion and love that this blog series was created. Our intention is to educate, demystify misconceptions, smash stereotypes and offer new perspectives on body image as it intersects with our race and ethnicity, our gender identity and sexual orientation, our socioeconomic class, age, size and dis\/ability. In short, our intention is to raise consciousness and create bridges in understanding.<\/p>\n

Social change requires more than awareness.<\/h2>\n

It is our hope that through raised consciousness, more and more of us will be moved into mindful action. Because social change requires more than awareness\u2026 it requires awareness\u00a0plus<\/em>\u00a0action. And raising consciousness and living consciously are at the heart of mindfulness practices. This where the real work begins for us. Off the mat. Off the meditation cushion.<\/p>\n

A gift in the form of an opportunity.<\/h2>\n

Each writer in this series weaves personal narrative with years of experience, research and professional expertise. The words may move you to tears, bring you a sigh of relief or comfort\u2026 or they may make you angry. Or maybe the words simply make you uncomfortable or challenge a long-held belief. Whatever arises, it\u2019s a gift in the form of an opportunity.<\/p>\n

Practice, listen, learn, and grow.<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s an opportunity to practice, listen, learn and grow. It may also be an opportunity to detect and identify internalized and unexamined prejudice or bias in our heart. This space is an opportunity to do the work as a collective. Because we must also work mindfully in community to elevate the collective vibration of society.\u00a0 Here are a few ways to practice this intention of identifying (and obliterating) prejudice and bias as well as working as allies and comrades in solidarity and love.<\/p>\n

Examine your own privilege.<\/h2>\n

This may be challenging, if not painful, and may induce feelings of shame or guilt but this is a necessary step. Meditate on how YOU benefit from the existing power structures that are sexist, racist, able-ist, size-ist, classist, heteronormative and ageist.<\/p>\n