Listen to the podcast On the Rocks: Community published February 12, 2022

“This week Colin, Robbie and Matt are joined by Yyoga teacher, Michael.

The idea of “Community” is a very wide one, and has changed significantly since the advent of the internet and social media, where we have the opportunity to “meet” people from around the world with whom we may share something. What does it mean to “belong” or “not belong” to a community? And for our Francophone listeners, is “community” as meaningful as it is for Anglophones?

Most of us want to belong – even those of us who may be just as happy to be alone. When we do find a group of like-minded people, how do we make sure that we don’t fall into self-confirming thoughts and behaviours inside the group? How do communities continue to be open, welcoming and not exclusive or exclusionary.

Having said that, there are communities of marginalised people who want to claim their own exclusive “safe” space. What do we gain from the idea of safe spaces? Is there another way to look at that idea, making sure we feel confident in taking part but also knowing that we will be encouraged to eventually leave the safe space?

What does yoga have to say about community? How should we behave in our own local yoga community? Are communities about rules, or respect? Join us to ponder what it means to be part of a community that encourages all its members to be the best they can be.”