Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - last session for 2013 - Monday 16 December 2013

Reconciliation Day Yoga 

Dear Yoga brothers,

So much has happened in the last week. Many of you will have been feeling the national outpouring of grief for uTata Madiba, Nelson Mandela who was laid to rest on 15 December. We have been caught up in tears, in memories, in tributes, in debates and most of all re-inspired by his legacy to remember one of yoga's most profound lessons - our own happiness is born out of our relationship with others and our ability to use self-discipline and empathy to build a truly worthwhile life, one of compassion, one without harm, one that loves peace and reconciliation. Though he chose a path of armed insurrection against the minority government, and paid a heavy price for this, within his 27 years of incarceration, he was able to use this isolation to reflect on what really matters in life. Instead of sinking into madness or anger, he came to learn that anger is the killer, the deceiver, the toxin in the human heart. Instead he found forgiveness, patience, humility and compassion. What better way to understand yoga than to understand the journey of Nelson Mandela.

Then, to our shock, we heard that one of our own brothers, Peter Hayes, passed away this weekend - suddenly and unexpectedly. Peter was another South African man of courage, imagination, passion and engagement. Peter was a renowned actor, playwright and director. His creative works touched many South Africans and people across the globe. He is remembered in our circles for his interest in male sexuality, in the body electric, in the integration of the spiritual, physical, mental, sexual and moral self. Peter helped inspire the Mother City Queer Project and ran several of the highly successful annual events. He was a member of Cape Men's Yoga, challenging himself to learn the sun salutations, to share his naked and tattooed body. He embraced our core message - be with your body, be your own teacher, dare to journey further down the path of self-knowing without the hindrance of clothing and social constraints. Whatever your body looks like, it is also sacred and profane, it is yours to work with, understand, love and transform.

We say to uTata Madiba and to Peter - we honour the journey you made, the lives you touched, the inspiration that lit up your world and through it transformed the world of others. Amandla ngawethu, amandla ngawakho. May there be peace in your passing and your memory burn like a scented candle in our hearts.

Join us on Monday 16 December 2013 for a two hour yoga and meditation session. We'll be doing some yogic breathing, some vinyasa asana, and finish with extended attention to anapanasati - the mindfulness of breath meditation.

Class starts at 10h00. Please contact us on capemensyoga AT gmail.com;
You need a mat, sweat towel and water bottle. Practice is free, donations are welcome.

We also have a closed members group on Facebook.

Our Summer of Love Retreat is 09 to 12 January 2014. Join us and change your life.

Namaste