Welcome to Day 8.

Art: "To the beat of the drum" by Larry Poncho Brown

In our final “official” day of the course we explore ways to take this work out into the world to share these radical but necessary new perspectives. We also acknowledge additional avenues of support and uplift that are already out there.

Our Practice, “Homecoming”, cultivates strength and stability whilst drawing in aspects of honouring the elements and our own cycles.

The lecture, “The Wisdom of the Mahavidyas” is largely inspired by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli’s work. You can read more in Yoni Shakti and I recommend her deck of cards which illustrate these many faces of the Goddesses. I feel the inclusivity of the Mahavidyas into this course is representative of a huge part of the core of the work we are doing: That the feminine has many faces and many forms. Rather than limiting ourselves to an externally dictated version of what it is to be woman or even self-imposing ways of vocalising, being and creating in the world. Instead, the Mahavidyas remind us of what it is to move beyond this “ignorance” (Avidya) to support us to wake up these necessary parts of our selves and be a force for planetary restoration including social and environmental justice.

The lecture on “Hosting Women’s Circles” is a more formal break down of what this looks like in action. Yet to a certain extent , we have been exploring this in our live calls. NB you don’t need to be a yoga teacher to host a women’s circle! AND yoga studios are one such place that could REALLY benefit from these circles, conversations and dialogue.

“Integrating this Work” pulls together some of the major themes we have covered and how to move forwards. The seeds have been planted and now and this is just the beginning to nurture an nourish in your own unique way.

The final practice of the course “Be Here Now” creates space for these new ideas and perspectives via Yin and myofascial release.

Recommended Reading:

"An Introduction to Critical Issues in Yoga." Unwind the Feminine Manual. p. 151-163