I avoid political topics on my blog like the plague. But ever since I saw this video yesterday–which was taken at this weekend’s Northwest Yoga Conference in Seattle–I haven’t been able to repress a growing feeling of nausea. So much so, that I’m posting this blog article one day early. I have to do something.
In this video, Savitri accepts a reward on behalf of her husband, Aadil, who was sick with pneumonia. I do not know Savitri or Melissa (the other woman in this video, who was one of the conference organizers). I have, however, met Aadil. We were on a yoga teacher training panel together many years ago. Aadil is a yoga master with four times my years of experience. We come from different lineages, so I often disagreed with what he was saying, and vice versa. In spite of my junior status to him, he listened to me and treated me with great respect.
Much more respect than was shown his wife this weekend. To see what I mean, please fast forward or listen past the first five minutes.
https://www.facebook.com/Zinkleberry/videos/pcb.1595616180553017/1595612777220024/
Savitri is a yoga master in her own right, and, of course, a human deserving of respect. There is obviously a backstory here, and I have no idea what it is. As of this writing, the conference has declined to comment and has deleted any negative comments about the incident on social media. What I do know is that this was handled atrociously. At the very best, they overreacted to a person who was less than one minute over her allocated time. At the worst? Well, I don’t want to think about the worst.
Even though I’ve made my living teaching yoga and training yoga teachers for 17 years, I’ve never felt part of the “yoga community” in Seattle. Instead, I’ve created community with my students. I’ve been wondering lately if that was a mistake. Honestly, I’m still not sure. Watching this, however, I’m convinced that the issue holding me back is real. Yoga is losing it’s ethics, it’s roots, and it’s power. Yoga was never about trendy fashion, competitive stretching, or perfecting your handstand. It’s about finding clarity, personal balance, and fostering active compassion.
May we get back to that soon.
Tracy Weber
Wow, that was so wrong!!!! But it gives the conference people an opportunity to do the right thing, dig deep into their personal practice and apply all the yoga teachings to this moment to bring everything back into the light, starting with looking at ALL the out of balance energies and owning their part in letting them interfere in a space that should be sacred and safe, loving and supportive, open and healing. Instead of hiding, why not be transparent and show themselves and everyone else how to learn and grow from this. Hopefully everyone learns to walk with BOTH feet in the light and not misuse any power that we hold here on the planet.
Thank you, Sarah.
Wow. That was horrible. On many layers.
Thank you for sharing the video and your thoughts.
Tracy, I am so grateful and thankful that something led me to your Yoga Community and to your classes. Maybe the Light.
Peace and Aloha, Barb
Thank you, Barb.
That video left me speechless. And that’s a rarity. Allow me to echo Barb’s sentiments: Tracy, I’m so grateful the Universe pointed me to your studio and teacher training program, where ethics and personal responsibility still mean something. So much gratitude for you. ?
Thank you.
I’m confused by this video and saddened.
Tracy, you have cultivated a beautiful authentic community that is hard to find anywhere else and inspiring to try and create as a teacher to share with others.
I am so grateful for the integrity, compassion, and teaching of true yoga that you have instilled in me and all of your students.
Yoga is a way of life.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Tracy, thank you for speaking truth….I am sickened by the way this beautiful woman and senior yogi was treated in this video.
UNBELIEVABLE what the yoga world is becoming.
Thank you, Joan. I am brokenhearted.
Wow! That is really disturbing and so disrespectful. Truly unsettling to see that kind of treatment at a yoga conference.
Thanks, Julie. It really shook me up.
Hi Tracy. What a sad outcome to what seemed to be an interesting speech by Savitri.
I totally agree with all your comments.
I’ve never been to a yoga festival, show or large conference preferring to attend courses, seminars, workshops in the Krishnamacharya, Desikachar, Mohan and other great teachers in this lineage. This is the tradition I love and resonates with me where the fundamental principle is to respect and honour every individual practitioner whoever they may be.
It’s so sad to see this incident happen at a “yoga conference”.
Love and Peace from New Zealand.
Viv??
PS – Best wishes with your new ventures and so glad you are keeping on with your blog?
Not sure why the computer has printed question marks after my name and last sentence! Viv
Thank you, Viv. I agree with you. The teachers in this lineage have served me well.