We are one.

Just as now, in 2025, our country’s leadership has changed to favor the individual away from the Tradition or Collective, Yoga, too, has splintered into many camps that seem to say, my way is the way: Yoga for —  Fitness, Weight-loss, Stress, A good Butt! It seems that the individual’s needs are now higher than the community of “us” as might be expected in a democracy or trusted collective. Honoring the good of all over the needs of one seems to be paling, and the arrogance of me and my way seems to be eclipsing the needs of the group.

As a teacher, I have shifted away from some of the “rules of asana” in which I was trained over the many years. Rather than, for example, “everyone step your feet 4 feet apart,” I may say, “step your feet as wide as your outstretched hands.” Or, in preparation for Triangle pose rather than “everyone stand with your feet aligned heel to arch”, I encourage students to try heel to heel, heel to arch and even heel to toe for some hip issues. These days, my headstand is in fact “un-headstand” to protect the not-as-strong bones in my neck.

With these conscious shifts, I am not turning my back on the tradition of Yoga, but rather upholding the WHY of Yoga.

As Yogis, we all commit to practice. The practice shifts and morphs over time as needs shift. When young, the practice helps us focus and burn off excess energy. In middle years, we practice to help us balance all the demands of family and career. Later, the practice teaches us how to let go and move into quieter moments, evolving inner wisdom. We all need to find our way and our rhythm. And we all need to feel we’re not going it alone. We need a feeling of community and a shared vision and intention. We need to know that we are here for each other, even as we find our own way.

Yoga teaches us that in essence we are the same. No matter the upbringing, skin tone, gender orientation or language, we are the same. Whether we are enrobed in scales or skin, feathers or bark, we are the same. (Yes, even the misguided individual who commits acts against the common good.) Any step I make that moves me towards this truth, that brings happiness and well-being to me, moves all beings towards happiness and well-being. 

In uplifting the true Self, we uplift all. 

Even as the world seems to splinter into ego-based selfishness around us, May we remember, return to, and live this essential Yoga truth:

We are One.

May each of us find a purpose, a cause, and Stand Up for what we know is right and true.

OM, Shanti, shanti, shanti.