Our experiences make us who we are. The joys, the hardships, and the people we welcome into our lives along the way influence our identities and who we become. For the queer community, these experiences are an integral piece of identity.
In honor of Pride Month, I invited M Camellia of Found Space Yoga to guide us through a special meditation based in identity reflection. They share their own trans experience and what it means to be non-binary in the yoga community, and I encourage you to follow this practice and come face-to-face with your own identity.
Some of us may have never asked ourselves these fundamental questions M asks us here. We are taught the norms and expectations of our society, but these norms stem from systems of oppression that have been in place for millennia. And while Pride is a time of celebration where we remember the lengths the queer community has taken to earn their visibility, we sometimes forget how isolating being different can be.
Diversity is key to human existence. No two of us are the same, and these differences are what make our society. But that doesn't make it any easier to face a personal identity that is different from the norms we were taught as children. Not having role models can make it even harder.
If this sounds similar to your experience, you are not alone. It's important to reflect on the experiences that shaped you, and meditation can create the safe space you need to reflect on memories without judgment.
Join this meditation practice now and pay attention to your breath. Note how deeply you're breathing, the duration of each inhale and exhale, and where that breath goes when you take it into your body. Think of the identities you hold, whether they be familial or personal, and consider what they would mean if not for your relationships with other people.
It can take time to think on this. Let M Camellia guide you on this journey in recognizing the dualities and diversities that exist not only within us, but within our communities.
How has yoga impacted your identity and how you see yourself? Send an email at info@kinoyoga.com and share your story with me. You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast.
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