This International Women's Day, I wish to express my fascination with the way we beautiful beings operate.
I say this with the understanding that the sympathies of Women and their human rights can be shared by those who do or do not identify as being a Woman, and that Feminine energy is shared by everyone regardless of gender.
What makes this day special for us here at Soul Fire is that we are a Woman led business. The majority of our service professionals (yoga teachers, counsellors, body workers, and space holders) are women and we offer an energetic touch that makes this place feel powerfully warm and welcoming, like home.
Women have been marginalised by society and institutions on the basis of gender role expectations, disproportionate pay scales, and moderate to severely limited opportunities (as we still see in countries like Afghanistan) for hundreds of years. Despite the Western assumption that Women’s Liberation came and went back in the 60s with life now changed, its effects certainly did come and go - we find ourselves dumbfounded by the lack of real paradigm shifts every generation. So here we are, living out the efforts needed to make space for real and lasting progress.
Can you believe that we have the ability to get up and go to work in a safe and easygoing environment, where your self-expression and personal beliefs are what magnetise others? Besides the inherent challenges we face as women to feel comfortable, confident, and supported to be ourselves fully, Soul Fire is one of those places where ‘doing the work’ on and for yourself is part of putting on that paradigm pressure. Learning ways to move beyond the smallness and insecurity of previous circumstances - both in this lifetime, the lives of your relatives, and the present lives of other women around the world.
For example, some of our teachers have children and families. Teaching yoga offers a flexible work opportunity that supports them on many levels due to the nature of the health-giving, and life-affirming practices. Others value a child-free life, where their gifts and services can provide much-needed space to others, and their focus can be directed towards other avenues of self-fulfilment and societal contributions.
With the way our society works, both are subject to judgments about how they live.
No matter what the back story, I find that we all give and receive something in exchange for being part of this special community. Whether it’s a bouquet of fresh flowers on the front desk, left by a space holder from their event, the precious gift of Mama Cacao prepared by hand using Grandma’s oatmeal spoon, or the casual conversation between classes to remind you that there are other women who see you, value your presence and want to hear what you have to say - this is Feminine Magic at work.
Of course, as an open and inclusive wellness centre, we also love the dynamic balance of the many men and non-binary people who attend our sessions here. This is why we don’t carry an overtly Women Only kind-of vibe, despite the reality looking pretty…booby. This is where the energy of the Feminine enriches everyone.
Our bodies, our lifestyles, our skills and personalities all reflect different combinations of the Yin/Yang flow, the Feminine/Masculine motifs that make us who we are.
In some yoga sessions, the masculine energy of structure, strength and repetition helps to re-ignite the capacity to move forward from a place of uncertainty, or sluggishness. In others, the feminine energy of softness, flow and fluidity enlivens places within that crave more freedom to find out what wants to be witnessed. Sometimes wild and fierce, sometimes dark and quiet, feminine energy is the movement within the space, the creatrix of the art piece, the birthing of the offering to be shared in the place that holds it.
This is how I see myself and other teachers in relation to the studio itself. For many years, my creative energy went into creating the space, the environment and the structure itself in order to hold us. Now, as it remains a steadfast container for all this vibrant and beautiful (dark, murky and messy too), I also let my heart and body dance within its walls.
As I stir the cacao of my morning ritual with Grandma’s wooden spoon, speaking to her spirit and letting the memory of her hug warm me within, I take this maternal energy with me as I bear this sacred gift to the women I share space with.
As they receive my love in this way, I open my arms to embrace who we are together. This is for you sweet women. I see you and love you.
