I rise yoga + wellness

WHAT A YEAR//: This year has taught us a lot about ourselves, our strength, our resilience, our power and tenacity to persevere. . . This year has also reminded this of who already know and taught those who did’t know that there is so much work to do. This year exposed the gaps and inequalities that BIPOC and other marginalized people face. .... . This year showed us that Black lives are dispensable no matter how much we yell from the rooftops that they MATTER. . . This year was about people using privilege to say they don’t want to wear masks when others had knees pressed into their necks whispering that they can’t breathe. . . This year a Black man builds shelters for this who have no shelter in place and is ordered to stop. . . Where community fridges were shut down because people don’t have enough to eat, while people are crowdfunding because they want to get some BBQ. . . What a year What a year . . What I’m leaving behind in 2020: Allowing others to keep making excuses for maintaining the status quo. . . Being afraid of taking too much space. . . Not acknowledging my joy, my anger, my grief. . . The fear of asking for support. . . My own internal bias that have limited my ability to connect more and do more. . . photo: @jodiannebeckford #whatimleavingbehind2020 #todayirise #selfcompassion

The body is a powerful thing. If it can breathe. . . During these times I’ve anchored and leaned more into my breath because the idea of me being able to take a breath, in this moment, at this time... is a powerful thing. The idea of my people being able to breathe, to hold space with their breath- in this moment, at this time... is a powerful thing. .... . I’m celebrating this Juneteenth anchored down by the resilience and strength of my community. This Juneteenth feels a little different, a little potent, a little heavy. I’m resting in the assurance that my breath will carry us all to the other side of joy. . . My lead into this day was surrounded by moments profound and some moments necessary. From holding space with @selfcareto and @koficoach2k for students @universityoftorronto and being reminded of the pain and trauma of what it means to exist in these Black bodies. We held space to breathe. . . My week also consisted of say no to being featured in article by @yogajournal they wanted to feature me as black-owned business and yoga influencer who is reshaping the yoga and wellness industry. They asked me discuss my experience in the yoga and wellness industry and my opinion on how that community is responding to the Black Lives Matter movement. I replied by asking if they will hold themselves accountable to the call in by my fellow yogi sisters @nicoleacardoza @eliana.chinea regarding how the magazine has historically and systematically marginalized BIWOC in their space and pages. I also asked how Yoga Journal was going to pull up for the Black community moving forward. I held space to breathe. . . Tomorrow I get to hold space to breathe in a community of Black folx from all around the world as a part of @diveinwell Juneteenth celebrations. To say I’m excited is an understatement... imagine using hope as a tool to libertarian all these years and finally you get to share that in one collective community inhale and exhale... . . Today as I settle in this Juneteenth I am reminded by this quote: Breathe... let go and remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know that you have for sure. I am here still breathing. We are still here breathing. See more

JOY! JOY! JOY//: Today I woke up, taught a beautiful rise + shine class where I read my amazing sister @adrianaadele words about dreaming of a new world, a new us, a new we as the sun was rising in the background. It was magical. In that moment reflecting with her words I felt so much joy. . . One of my favourite lines from one of my favourite books The Alchemist reads It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. this morning I was reminded... to never stop dreaming because the act of dreaming for me is a source of joy. . . Today I want to spend some time encouraging you to cultivate a practice of finding joy... to dream. Joy is an act of resistance. And today I’m showing up fully in joy. . . Some things that have brought me joy this week: - Eating apple pie this morning for breakfastbecause that’s my business. - My Fittaz crew ( @jela.tubei @theunboundmystic @melissad_rmt @simplyshakera) for the BEST group chats ever! Holding space for ourselves has been magical. - @jahbrilpricenoel and @cinco.1k IG Live on @vanguardtoronto for one of the most inspiring chats I’ve seen between two young Black men. I’m inspired that the future is in good hands. - My IG sister love crew, (@navigillwellness , @eliana.chinea , @sinikiwe.stephanie , @maryamajayi )between flowers, text messages, voice notes and support I’ve felt a lot of love affirmation from you all. - Long walks by the lake. - Hugs and check-ins from the boys. -the friendly smiles that greeted me on Zoom. - the courage I’ve seen people show to tell their stories and stand in their truths s/o @julialongandlean + @forshalom - gentle reminders to rest from @snjezana_wellness and @ayebeaashong check ins - the word yes and confirmation popping up in my inbox . . What has brought you joy this week? I’d love to know below: See more

MAKE A SMILE FOR ME//: Make a smile for me Lately I've been so lonely And a smile from you Might make these blues go away Stay awhile with me... Can't you tell I've been lonely And a smile from you Might make it a nicer day Close your eyes and dream of a sunny place Watch the world light up when you smile Stay with me and smile at me, sunny face Chase the clouds away with your smile - Bill Withers- Make a Smile for Me . . Gentle reminder that social distancing doesn’t mean you social disconnect. Find opportunities to take moments to smile and share your smile it might make a difference for someone else. . . : @jodianne.beckford See more

HEALTH IS WEALTH//: This pandemic is doing a really great job at showing us all the MAJOR cracks that we have as a society. How society as whole is a bunch of systems and structures set up to continually marginalize folxs. . . As wellness practitioners that want to support community understanding WHY this matters is important. .... . Last time I checked there ain’t no Whole Foods in the hood! We can’t tell people to eat healthy if we’re not providing access to healthy food that is affordable and addressing food insecurity. . . We encourage people to get moving and exercise when we don’t acknowledge the impacts of environmental racism and ones ability to breathe? . . We tell people to drink water and yet numerous indigenous communities don’t have access to clean drinking water in 2020. . . We can’t tell people to come to our yoga classes or practices when we’re not addressing the lack of medical access and culturally appropriate mental health supports needed to help communities to be healthy and thrive. . . Health is wealth. Yes! And in order to seal these cracks for good we as wellness practitioners need to look at the ways we can use our work to address environmental racism, food insecurity, racial trauma, poverty, medical and mental health biases, housing inequity, etc. This is the only way health can truly be wealth. Photo: @jodianne.beckford

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF//: if you’ve ever come to one of my classes you will know that I’m unapologetic about the idea of making time for yourself. . . Teaching for me is all about taking care of you! Unlocking space in your body. Connecting with breath. Expansion and feeling comfortable and confident with our body where it’s at. .... . Join me for two online yoga offerings. . . rise + shine: WEDNESDAY + FRIDAY mornings (7:00-7:45 AM) a gentle vinyasa flow to help you build your morning practice and start your day off right. rise + restore: TUESDAY + THURSDAY evenings (7:00-7:45 PM) my signature yoga class designed to connect to self and slow it all down. Restorative and mindful movement that will leave you feeling renewed and restored. . . Investment: $30.00 . . . irise yoga + wellness is about providing accessible, diverse and inclusive wellness to the community. Let’s rise up in vibration together. . . I’ll join you in the comfort of your home via Zoom and together we will make time for ourselves. . . send me a message if you're interested in registering . . ** if the $30 investment is barrier please let me know** PC: Jodianne Beckford

This week has been reminding me so much about the power of connectivity, scarcity, joy, fear and love. I am being reminded of how I show up as a mother, friend, teacher, student, neighbour and all the spaces in between. The ability to show up, the ways I need to show up due to responsibilities and in what ways? . . It also has reminded me how I always try have a brave face even in moments of uncertainty. . .... The need to create space and clarity. The need to hold space and clarity. . . The ways I’m allowing my breath to anchor and guide me. Even when it feels suffocating. . . How are you doing? Let’s check in with ourselves and each other: (please feel free to answer below) - How are you doing?/ How does your body feel? - How are you being supported? - How do you want to be supported? - How are you staying connected? We are here to support each other- that is the power of community.