October 2021: On the Earth

 

 

Sunset from my balcony on 09 Octobe 2021.

On the Earth

COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, is taking place in Glasgow in early November. Whether this is productive or not remains to be seen but simply by taking place, there has been a substantial rise in awareness of climate change, the current state of our Mother Earth and how we might allow her to support us better.

We seem to be living in a perpetual state of crisis: economic, health, environmental. At times like these I feel it is really important to give time to reflect on what each of us can do to bring things a little more into balance. We have to carve out this time, to work things out so that it is there. Because it is vital.

Any action you take on climate does not need to be huge, or demonstrative, all count and are important. It might be reading or watching something on the climate emergency data. It might be picking litter, planting trees, eating less red meat, going by train rather than plane, giving up the second car, learning to cycle, being in nature a little more … What is essential is to commit, to make it a habit, a practice of care for our surroundings, our home. I would go as far as to say the earth is an extension of our bodies. This planet is the only one we have and, as a race, we are not treating it very well, selfishly considering our individual comfort over the wholeness of who we are. Because we are earth. There is earth in us. You just have to sit quietly and feel it.

Laura x
https://www.lauragonzalez.co.uk/yoga

What I have been looking at

As part of COP26, I am involved in various artworks around Glasgow including one of my own called ‘Breath at the End of the World’, which I will perform in a gold shipping container.

I am particularly excited to be part of Walker and Bromwich’s ‘The Serpent of Capitalism’ where I will be the tongue of the serpent (what a dream!) and doing a mass meditation in George Squate on Saturday 30 October. I am also returning to their new version of ‘The Encampment of Eternal Hope’ at the Briggait where I will be exploring the element of Air element. If you are in Glasgow, come and join us (it is all participative) and if you cannot make it, have a look through their website. Their work is joyous.

What I have been reading

A couple of months ago, I went to a Gayatri Mantra session with Lucy Crisfield. I knew Lucy and her family had been under a lot of pressure due to a court case regarding Lucy’s partner involvement in a climate protest. What unfolded in that court room, from Lucy’s account during our class, was extraordinary. She has written about it for her forthcoming book, and made it publicly available on her blog.

When Sid told me about his experience I recognised the quality of saṁkalpa, a very special word in the Sanskrit language which means a resolution formed in the heart. But it also means much more than this; it holds within it the resonance of the earth. saṁkalpa is one of only a handful of words that are generated from the root klṛp, which is the only root generated from the letter lṛ. lṛ is one of the sixteen divine mothers of the Sanskrit language and lṝ which is its long form is known as the ‘Mother of the Gods’; a direct expression of the earth element. Sinking into the etymological depths of saṁkalpa we find mother earth. We also find a reflection of the movement we make as human beings who are fed, sustained and nourished by the gifts of the earth sinking through our resolutions, desires and impulses: eventually we find mother earth.

I still get shivers down my spine when I read it. It shows the power of saṁkalpa,intention, and of speaking one’s truth. I found it very inspiring.

What I have been practicing

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || 47 ||

karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi

You only have authority over action, not ever to the result.
Don’t be motivated by the result, and don’t get attached to inaction.

In chapter 2 verse 47 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna that inaction is not an option. Yoga is action, karma. We should perform this to the best of our abilities and not be attached to the result. Actions are offerings, devotion. To act is within our control, regardless of the outcome and we should act because it is the right thing to do.

I have been practicing this in relation to the earth. What specific actions can each of us take to make the place we live in (home, building, neighbourhood, city, country, planet) better than what we encountered? How can we care for the earth, our greatest teacher, in a devoted, joyful way?

MORNING GLORY
Kia and Yotam will be back online for a morning practice on Wednesday 17 November. Meditation, mysore with soundscapes and conference with sangha connection. Come and be soaked in the most beautiful meditative space, with a teacher that is so compassionate, experienced and precise that I often forget she is not in the room with me. And, of course, the best part: Yotam’s live soundscape. If you want to experience the power of sound on your body, make sure you book this.
OPEN CLASSES
Our programme at Yoga Moves Glasgow is in full swing. I teach LIVE at the Arlington ever Thursday morning. If you want to come, please book in advance as we are still restricting numbers for safety and comfort. And for those of you who cannot make it, Tuesday mornings (including pranayama, for now) are still online. Best of both worlds!
Tuesdays, 07.15 – 08.30/09.00, ONLINE | Yoga (Led into Mysore) 
Thursdays, 07.15 – 08.30/09.00, LIVE | Yoga (Led into Mysore)**PRANAYAMA (Breathing) first Tuesday of every month

2 NOVEMBER
7 DECEMBER

07.15 – 08.30
ONLINE ON ZOOM£5 ONLINE | £11/£9 LIVE

I am also available for pranayama one-to-one sessions online (introductory or following up your practice). Reply to this email if you want to find out more.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland classes for staff and students will resume soon. Keep an eye out for the next newsletter.
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