I can’t believe it’s March 2021 already! Where has the time gone? I remember, around this time last year, I was freaking out over the pandemic like many others were. Today? I’m mostly unfazed, more concerned about the weather than I am over the constant highs and lows of the daily cases here in Montreal. But, I won’t get into that now, lest I sound too negative or (surprise, surprise) jaded.
Instead, I thought it would be nice to go over some of my personal favorite highlights that happened over the past year with this awesome community. From the start of the MLPC in March 2020 to the growth of the community, the addition of the classes and some of the great activities, groups and workshops we’ve formed in between.
Yoga on Zoom
I remember it like it was yesterday: I was spending every night crying myself to sleep, terrified over the fact that I was so far away from my family in the midst of a global catastrophe (and that I’d never fit into my apparently uncool skinny jeans again) until one day, I saw that Alex McRobs posted on Facebook that she was offering free yoga classes on zoom to keep herself busy during this whole thing and was inviting people to reach out. Reach out I did, and she graciously added me to the mailing list. Before I knew it, we were doing yoga together every day and I had naturally found myself in a 30 day challenge. We would hang out after class and open up with one another about how afraid we all were and how bored we all were, but the more we did yoga, the better we felt. I also loved that this time was in conjunction with spring, which is a complex season here in canada with many layers and levels. I was so zen that a snowstorm in late April didn’t even anger me.
Sharing circles and workshops
This brings me to my next favorite highlight. All the post-class hangouts inspired designated slots where we could all talk about our feelings. Soon enough, Alex was organizing yoga parties and actual sharing circles where yogis could hang out. I especially enjoyed Jenny’s 12pm sessions on Friday, where I’d promptly sign on after getting my weekly coffee and croissant, and confess my fears and ambitions along with everyone else.
Chaturanga the Podcast
You didn’t think I would forget about this one, did you? CtP was SO MUCH FUN! Even if only a few of you actually listened to it. Alex and I would log on every week and talk about the yamas and niyamas with such a passion until one day, we ran out of things to say to one another and were completely bored and frustrated in the middle of an episode. (I think it’s episode 4 if anyone is interested.) Then, we started inviting people onto the show and we got to know so many cool people and learn about lots of amazing things. It was how we met Ashley Adams from Black Yoga Magazine, and how I met my favorite psychic, Dan Kumar (thanks, Alex!).
It was also how we got to know all of you! The podcast had run its course eventually, but it was a lot of fun while it lasted.
Yasir=Yoda?
Yasir has been present at most, if not every. Single. Class. For the past year. All of them. That is not only a highlight, it’s the stuff of legends.
Book Club
Book club is so near and dear to my heart. The hilarious Emily reached over and plucked me from my pouty corner and had me join the MLPC book club and I happily go every month and deter the rest of the group from talking about the book we read. It’s so much fun, and most of the books we’ve picked are books I’ve enjoyed.. Erm.. listening to, ok? (I’m a slow reader and I’m always reading 3 books at a time so give me a break.) Although we took a month break at some point during the end-of-year burnout, I really hope it keeps going. The book club crowd are super funny, smart, and generally great to talk to. I look forward to hanging out with them each first Friday of the month.
Variety of Classes
It went from vinyasa and gentle flows, yins and restoratives to barre, pilates, slow flow, meditations, Sober Girls classes and book clubs, pranayama, yoga nidra… wow. The list goes on and it’s just wonderful to see how much this community has GROWN! I love the variety the MLPC offers because there’s a class, workshop or activity that caters to every single mood you might be in. So, if you’re doing one of the many 30 day challenges, you’re spoilt for choice if you don’t actually feel like doing the yoga. Maybe you just want to breathe, instead - it counts, and it’s on the zoom schedule!
I’m so happy to be a part of a community that’s so accessible and welcoming to people from all different walks of life all over the world. I love that Alex has brought such a global aspect to yoga, taking (me, at least) out of the pretentiousness of the traditional yoga studios by encouraging me to break out of my shell, engage in a community and really do yoga rather than just “doing” it. Because at the end of the day, as we’ve all come to learn over the past year, yoga is so much more than just a perfect triangle pose or being able to flawlessly hold your ardichandrasana (my nemesis). It’s about being in the moment and taking in everything around us with gratitude. With that, and celebrating one year of wonderful memories, I’d like to express my gratitude to Alex, the MLPC and to all of you readers. Here’s to more good times ahead.
May you be happy, may you be healthy, and may you be free.
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