WELCOME TO THE FIG!
An introduction: who we are & why we came to be…
My relationship with ‘community’ did a big U turn this year.
When I moved back to London in March 2020 (we all know why that was) I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to find a community quite like the one I had discovered in Melbourne.
Melbourne was the place where I had completed my yoga teacher training, where I taught my first ever class, where I worked my way up from an intern cleaning mats, to having a regular spot on the weekly teaching schedule (two spots actually!) at the studio of my dreams. The network of people that entered my life over those 2.5 years, I never would have crossed paths with if it weren’t for this practice.
But as time went on, I noticed that even though I was away from the physical space of Melbourne, I didn’t exactly lose any of these connections I had built. Infact, some of them blossomed in ways I never thought they could.
Facetime calls increased, letters were written, hours of voice notes sent and received. Don’t even get me started on zoom…
Over the internet, I was able to teach and be taught yoga, expand my philosophy knowledge as well as deepen my friend and working relationships. All things that before this year, I only considered possible face to face.
I was really pleasantly surprised. Just because I wasn’t in the same place as any of my network, it didn’t mean that my community did not still exist. Huh!
And that is why I created The Fig. I thought, heck, if my current community can survive the transition online (and across many a land and sea), why can’t a new one thrive via the internet, too?
CONCLUSION
My wish is for The Fig Yoga to become an online community platform to connect with other teachers in our field, to gather advice and recommendations, for support and suggestions. A place to give and receive, to learn and grow together, even though we are apart.
This pandemic taught me that. That we can still be there for one another through channels such as email, through online spaces, such as The Fig. Community can survive and thrive through it all.
I’d love to hear how your relationship with community has changed over the last 6 months?
Your yoga community, your local community, the good, the bad, the ugly, I want to hear it all. Comment below or email me at lily@thefigyoga.com with your thoughts.
Until I then…
Welcome to The Fig Community. I am so happy to have you.
This week’s recs
I think we could all do with a media diet at the moment. Time off screens = increased creativity. Apparently it is, in fact, that easy!
There are many important conversations that need to be had about our relationship to yoga and what this looks like in today's society. How we interact with other humxns, how we relate to and respect the traditions of the practice, Westernisation and so much more. On September 26th Vinny Yoga is offering their first live talk since their revamp, What Does It Mean to Live Yoga ‘Off the Mat'? Plus, prices are on a sliding scale and we sooo dig that BIG nod to accessibility. Because inclusivity is what yoga is all about.
Intersectional wellness is the only kind of wellness I'm here for. How about you?
Maybe you're moving cities for work just like I did? Perhaps a new yoga teaching job? If so, congrats!! You got this. But please, look after yourself, moving is not easy. These words will help if you need it. PS: Chelsea is our brand designer and we love her!
Sometimes the words of my three morning pages (shout out to the Queen, Julia Cameron, for this game-changing self reflection practice) tumble out effortless onto the page. Other days I need a helping hand to get the cogs of my brain turning. Lately I have been loving these journalling prompts from Circles and Citrine to assist me through my less inspired mornings.
