I recently had an opportunity to represent a local yoga non-profit organization at a Pride Festival in Apex, NC. I’ve worked with You Call This Yoga as their website manager for many years and I believe in their mission to bring free, accessible yoga practices to people who:
- Might not have access to yoga (can’t afford it, can’t get to classes)
- Think yoga is not for them (not my community, my age group, my body type)
- Believe they can’t do it (not flexible enough, can’t get up and down off the mat)
You Call This Yoga succeeds by offering both in-person and virtual Zoom yoga sessions that include: chair and gentle mat classes, meditation, bilingual classes in English and Spanish, and SAFE classes focused on engaging and educating racial/ethnic minorities and low-income populations. They also lead classes at several Meals on Wheels Community Centers and an Addiction Recovery Center.
Pride Festival + Yoga? Sign me up!!
Right now, queer, trans, and nonbinary people are frequently the target of discrimination and harassment (at the least) and hate crimes (at the worst). According to the Human Rights Campaign, in 2023, over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures and a record of 70 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted. Yoga studios and organizations are in a good position to create safe, accessible, and equitable spaces where everyone is accepted “as they are”. With this Pride Festival, You Call This Yoga was able to bring their message of inclusivity —in person— to a large group of LBGTQ+ people and their allies, and I was more than happy to help. All my friends and many acquaintances know I am a PFLAG mom and I love to engage with my son David’s community.
It was a quite a party!!
There were a multitude of vendors; many supportive organizations to discover; lots of things to see and buy; a stage for music, dancing, drag shows; and places to gather for drag story time.
Thousands of people attended, plenty of families, and some pets, including a python (yes, a snake!), with everyone showing their “pride” in the most colorful ways possible.
Watch, learn, try it yourself
Karen Parrish, another PFLAG mom, led our yoga demos. She is an excellent instructor who can adapt yoga to meet the needs of a wide population. We had a few chairs set up under our tent so she could lead people through accessible poses that were specific to their abilities. We had something for everyone — giving away candy, DVDs, stickers, and free “mom hugs” to all who wanted them.
Thank you, Apex
I spoke with so many people that I eventually got hoarse and lost my voice. It was worth it. This is the south, which does not have a progressive social history. Apex, whose byline is the “Peak of Good Living”, without the influence of a major university like Durham or Chapel Hill, is one of the fastest growing cities in North Carolina and has been ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in the country. I believe this is, in part, because Apex has not only preserved its downtown area (which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places), it also made it into a vibrant community center that can host a welcoming range of inclusive events — an attractive blend of their rich history with a smart vision of their future.
accidental goddess 
Looks like a much needed service and a great time for all!
LikeLiked by 1 person