‘With yoga, all things are possible.’

In honor of International Peace Day, celebrated globally on September 21st, recently, a community of thoughtful, committed yogis and yoginis came together at the Waterfront, in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, in the name of peace for our country and our people.

Jamaica is a paradise and a paradox, a nation riddled with polarities of darkness and light.

Our beauty shines through our music, our athletes, our beaches…and so much more.

Yet, we remain notorious for our murder rates and homophobia; children and women are increasingly coming under attack through sexual violence and abuse, leaving the vast majority of society horrified. Socioeconomic woes, not exclusive to Jamaica, wreak havoc on a daily basis.

With rising costs and equally high unemployment, people are afraid—and this fear manifests itself as anger and rage in such heinous criminal acts. Unresolved trauma pervades the society and rather than being dealt with, is being swept under the proverbial carpet of shame and silence.

Committed to transformation on a global scale, many years ago, I realized that unless—and until—I confronted my own issues, I was incapable of being a forerunner for humanity in the name of peace.

How does one remain silent amidst such atrocities? Am I not a part of the problem if I allow myself to be paralyzed with inaction and suffocated by my own silence?

Twelve years ago, I was led to the path of yoga. Who I am today is a direct result of my commitment to being on the path; if yoga has been such a catalyst for me, then in the name of service, I am prompted to share its gifts with others so that they too may be healed and transformed.

Downtown Kingston, surrounded by volatile and violent communities is also the hub of Jamaica’s culture—many of our renowned musicians and artists were born in this hot, bustling, vibrant city. It is also home to the oldest synagogue in the Northern Hemisphere; the heart of Jamaican culture is alive in the city of Kingston and it is crying out for guidance and help. Boasting the eighth largest natural harbor in the world, beside the Caribbean Sea while facing the cool, serene Blue Mountains, was the perfect scenario to begin a journey towards healing and peace.

‘Peace within, peace without, peace throughout’ was the mantra that we set for this auspicious event.

With over thirty persons breathing and moving together, passersby, as well as residents of the local community, looked on with curiosity while others chose to join in.

Even members of the police force, more accustomed to dealing with crisis in this section of town, were deeply moved, by simply bearing witness to our enactment of peace, demonstrating that indeed through yoga, all things are possible.

Indeed, Out of Many, We are One.

~

Editor: Bryonie Wise

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