Disability Awareness and Inclusion in Yoga (+ Making Space For Possibility in the 2020 Void)

Myriad Yoga Podcast

This week we are looking at shunya or the Buddhist concept of empty or void space. This is a space that we receive after deep work and not equal to zero, but true unadulterated emptiness. This is not a space to refill, but to exist from. What 2020 has taught us is that there is a BIG space to make for inclusion and diversity. One space of inclusion that often gets overlooked is disability awareness.

We were blessed to have Alie B. Gorrie- artist, activist and goddess on the podcast this week to discuss opportunities to open up the space (void) for a truly more inclusive world- specifically when we look at it through the lens of yoga. Alie B. is originally from Birmingham, AL and a child hood friend of Shannon's.

Usually residing in New York (in non-COVID times) she is a powerful performer (one example : Bastard Jones, a producer and activist (see Songs for Sight and Able Series on Amazon, and a badass.

Love this discussion? Follow her on instagram or send her an email @aliebg or [e-mail]

Some key things to consider from this episode:

• Get clear on whether you're speaking about disabilities from a medical v. social lens
• Own a yoga studio or fitness facility? Consider on your registration form asking about any accessibility needs
• Accessible doesn't always = inclusive
• Consider your own relationship (and language in relationship to) to disabilities: non-disabled v disabled people
• Let's start designing w/ access in mind and seeing individuals with disabilities as an asset

Let's keep the void that's been created in 2020 to have open space for ALL to occupy- not just able bodied, white, cis-gender, heteronormative, etc. etc. etc. folks!