Dear friends,

I’ve been quiet on social media for the last week or so…

Partly, out of respect for those who have a better platform and voice for the issues on racism, I remained silent because, at this time, I didn’t want to make it about me. But If I’m honest, I was also silent out of fear:
Fear that I just didn't know what to say in a way that would help.
Fear that I would be overstepping my bounds.

I’m just a movement teacher - what would I have to offer?

However, I’ve been listening to what others have been saying and I hear that silence is not an option if you wish to align with justice, peace, equality, health and love. I hear that it’s no longer enough to know within yourself that you are not racist (although, to some extent, most of us certainly are) but for any meaningful change to occur it is now necessary to be anti-racist.

For someone, like myself, who hasn’t been much of an activist aside from trying to be educated, voting, and periodically donating to certain causes, this notion can seem overwhelming.

However, thinking on all my movement training and study from life coaches and spiritual teachers, I believe that it’s the small steps that lead to big changes. So, to take a small step:

The name of my site for my movement coaching is “In Aligned Movement”. This has been about movement and alignment of the body. It also incorporates aligning how you wish to move through life. Now, I see it could also be about aligning with social movements as well…

I’m not sure how I will accomplish this, but here’s a start:

I’d like to donate the fee from my Sunday 6pm Breathwork and Meditation class to:

• Black Lives Matter
  and

• NAACP

If this sounds appealing to you, I’d love for you to join us!

Education

My teacher, Katy Bowman, recently notified her community about an online event for movement professionals. I’ll be attending this, and if you’re a movement professional too, maybe you’d like to check it out:

Anti-Racism and Allyship For Rehab and Movement Professionals on June 9th by Dr. Jennifer Hutton, DPT

Books:

There are many amazing books out there and many platforms (even Amazon) are suggesting good lists to start. I’ll talk about any that I can recommend as I read them, but here is one that I think is essential:

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahesi Coates

Raw, heartbreaking, and beautiful. A must read.

Podcasts:

Just like books, there are amazing podcasts by great voices on these topics. I’ll be exploring some of these and will share anything I can.

Throughout the pandemic, Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us, has been a great companion for me. She just did an interview with Ibram X Kendi, New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist and the Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. Check out the link below:

I’m always open to feedback and suggestions. May you be well, at peace… and aligned with your right life.

Patrick