Strong enough to take the heat?

Summer in New York City is not always easy. While some escape to cooler climates, those who stay in the concrete jungle learn to live amidst the sweat and the stick.

Summer in the city can be absolute magic, bubbling over with energy, magnetism, excitement and HEAT! 

So, how do we city folk take the heat? We have to resist the urge to run away from what’s hard, what’s uncomfortable. We have to get creative with our space and our time. We have to be smart with our energy and above all, we have to be strong.

Seeing as this July is off to an exceptionally steamy start, it’s going to take a lot of strength to channel the potential energy unearthed by all this heat. In the spirit of resistance, resilience, rest and resonance, our theme this July is strength.

What does it mean to be strong? It’s a lot more than strong muscles - though those

are nice to have, strength is rooted in resistance, the ability to stand up against injustice, whether this be on and individual level (ways in which you treat yourself unkindly) or on a more collective level (systems you disagree with). To be strong is to hold steadfast in what you believe is possible and work to create that reality, whether a small behavior change or an act of radical reconstruction.

Another example of strength can be taking the time to rest. To relax in an air conditioned space, to pause and drink water in the middle of a rushed day, these seemingly small acts of care are both expressions and constituents of strength.

In Sanskrit, we have the word “shakti” which roughly translates into inner resilience, strength or power. In a city like New York, where there is so much of absolutely everything and all happening at the same time, when there’s noise and people and smells and excitement and despair and injustice and art — a little heat can go a long way. And a lot of heat can feel explosive.

It is essential to practice Shakti, to cultivate an inner sense of calm amidst the chaos, standing strong as tadasana (mountain pose) yielding the madness into magic.

This July might be hot, but we’re strong enough to take the heat. Come practice yoga with us!

…and don't worry, we’ve got AC too.