The Shape of Community

When I became the studio manager of Reflections, Center for Conscious Living & Yoga in 2010 I felt how special it is to be part of a community. However, over the past 9 years I actually learned what community means.  When I left my position as manager to teach full time, my community held tight. When I left teaching full time to have a baby, my community remained steadfast. When I came back to teach part time after 4 months maternity leave, guess who was still there? That’s right, my community.

Community is not necessarily the people in your life that you share every intimate detail with but rather they are the faces that are familiar to you when you feel lost. The hugs that you need when you feel lonely. The words of encouragement you need to hear when you feel self doubt. The smiles you need to see when you are feeling blue. 

What’s so beautiful about community is that it is not shaped like a circle. It’s a horseshoe, always open for people to come and go. It’s not like a “click” you find in high school that you may feel left out of. It’s an inclusive energy that allows others to flow in and out with ease.

What do you need to do to be part of a community? You show up. You share your words or just your presence. You be yourself, whole heartedly. You listen. 

I started a Senior Movement class 4 years ago with 3 or 4 people attending at first. Through the years it was not only the class size that grew each week but also our community that has expanded. When I show up every Tuesday I see familiar faces greeting me and if there is someone new, we welcome them with open arms. 

I am starting a monthly Mama Movement class in May and am hoping to create something similar. A space and time for women to gather and show up not just for themselves but for each other. We have all heard of the term ‘self care’ which is, of course, important but taking care of ourselves becomes not only easier but more holistic and integrative with community around us. I now understand that community care is one of the highest forms of self care there is.