Sat Nam,

How’s everyone doing?  What a big year it’s been so far and we’re only half way through!!

First some good news on my front is I got a job!   Yay!  I’m going to be a Santa manager recruiting Santa’s for Christmas photos!  (I kid you not!). I’m so excited because I love Christmas so it’s my dream job! Lol!

It’s  been a huge year so far in the world with Bushfires, Corona Virus, Black Lives Matter, the Economy, Isolation, Mental Health and the list goes on.

Here in Australia the Covid numbers have dwindled to a trickle, life is starting to feel a little more normal and they’ve eased restrictions to the point that we will be able to invite students back to the studio in about a week.  Woohoo!!  The exact date and timetable hasn’t been confirmed as yet but it’ll be by next week so I’m pretty excited about that.

There’s has also been a huge uprising for Black Lives Matter worldwide including here in Australia for our indigenous people which is so important and a long time coming!

The oppression and persecution of black people has gone on far to long and change needs to happen and can only happen if we stand together and speak out.

As a white Jewish privileged Australian I don’t know what it feels like to live the life of a black person and be persecuted for the colour of my skin.  I know what it feels to be persecuted as a Jew, I have experienced that throughout my life.  I have heard from my parents  (and experienced the trauma through living with them) the suffering they have experienced, having lost so much through persecution and the murder of their loved ones, including my grandparents just because they were Jewish.

But I’m also white so I can hide behind my skin colour and people who are anti Semitic are none the wiser unless I tell them.  That’s my privilege.  Black people don’t have that privilege so they are vilified and persecuted just because of the colour of their skin.

This year has brought the perfect storm for change.  It’s shaken the ground we stand on to its core, it’s brought uncertainty, it’s brought fear, its brought unrest, it’s changed the status quo of what we were used to whether we’ve liked it or not and it’s forced us to find our courage, find our voices, speak out, stand up and make change.

Change is scary, speaking your truth is scary, stepping out of your own narrative and listening is scary, (yes listening takes courage), standing up for what you believe in is scary, living your best life is scary, uncertainty is scary, but you want to know what’s more scary, staying stuck in an unfulfilled life, staying stuck in a bad relationship/marriage, staying stuck in a job you hate, staying stuck in an oppressed society because you’re scared to step out into uncertainty.

When Rosa Parkes sat in the white section of the bus I bet she was bloody scared, she was risking her life.  But her courage to stand up for her right to be equal and free was bigger than her fear and that small step although it had big consequences initially, ultimately created a big step towards change that saw an end to segregation law.

We are now experiencing many people standing up for their right to be equal, to be free, to be heard and seen and this courage to stand up is what will bring change.

My mantra at the moment for everything I do is ‘be brave, no regrets’ because I want to have the courage to live my truth, speak my truth, take that chance, step into uncertainty, stand up for what I believe in, create change for a better world, overcome fear and live my full life, no regrets.

Be brave, no regrets.

Only a week to go until the studio opens back up but until then join me in class online at www.sydneyyogacollective.com.  All info is on the website.

We are limited to 9 students per class so bookings are essential.  We will also continue on demand online classes once the studio opens.

I’m also running one on one yoga and coaching sessions.  If you’re interested reply to this email for a chat.

Stay well and see you on the mat. ❤️

Love,

Adette