Hi. Welcome to hatha yoga with Motha Whitt.
MY STORY
My real name is Marilyn Moore. I teach hatha yoga. I’m new at this. I have two students right now. I smile.
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, MD. introduced me to hatha yoga for depression. The antidepressants prescribed to me in ever-increasing doses and eventually augmented by an anti psychotic had the unfortunate side effect of “weight gain.” My body looked more swollen than anything. I also developed arthritis in both hips, and dull thinking.
Dr. van der Kolk specifically said “hatha yoga.” My yoga journey began. That was over twenty years ago. I’m just beginning my journey as a teacher.
RESILIENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS
Resilience and resourcefulness through a persistent practice of hatha yoga. I am a very human example, but I suspect that this is what makes me an effective peer mentor to adult survivors of childhood sexual assault.
I understand trauma and it’s effects from first person experience. I do not have to guess what a flashback feels like. Importantly, I’ve also studied trauma research. Empathy means to me that I do NOT own your pain. I bear witness, validate and affirm you where you are on your journey. I know the theories and biological mechanisms behind flashbacks. I know grounding. I know processing. And I know better than to rescue caterpillars from cocoons.
Yoga allows me to hold my flaws as opportunities to grow and my strengths as fragile things to be nourished and tended. I teach that laughter is the first great healing magic.
I also do not have to guess about the effects of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity on people. I see the devastation within my family. Both my baby sister and baby brother died as a result of this deadly trifecta. I am the only one of my siblings who is not diabetic, obese, and struggling with high blood pressure. I am the only one who sought mental health care, adopted a healthier way of eating and the mindfulness practice that is hatha yoga.
If you are struggling with weight, blood pressure issues, and/or diabetes, yoga can help. If you have any of these conditions, please consult your doctor before beginning an asana practice. Yoga is not a replacement for good medical care. But, if you have these medical issues, I welcome you. Yoga helps you resource and empower yourself.
The light in me sees the light in you. Please give yourself a chance at better. In you I see sisters and brothers that need and deserve to be nourished physically, mentally and spiritually. I can teach you how to fish. I can teach hatha yoga.
MY GOAL IS TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER
My first intention is to help you feel confident about walking into your first yoga class or, if you wish, starting a personal practice. Foundationally, we begin with study of the Yoga Sutra by Patanjali. Asana will later be demonstrated or illustrated, and described. Please understand that the asana is the smallest part of yoga.
Expect to also find a weekly essay written in the format, meditation, explication which may be parable or story, affirmation. We probe psychiatry and psychology, history and philosophy, anthropology, comparative religions and mythology. I advocate for public libraries.
Representation matters. Ahimsa. No harm is intended but harm is done each time a mass shooter’s behavior is “tagged” as “a result of mental illness” by news reporters, most often without elaboration. This oversimplified message is then repeated at each subsequent broadcast multiple times of day. In the minds of the public in general — and specifically of a hypervigilant, hypermilitarized police officer ill equipped to respond to a “mental health crisis” call from a family member fearful for their loved one’s safety — this becomes tragic. Too many “unfortunate fatalities” spring immediately to my mind. More than the number of mass shootings by mentally ill people. I wish more police officers would practice yoga.
I step into my face and allow myself to be seen. In this way also, I allow for healing.
you are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars
you have a right to be here
– from Desiderata
Marilyn Moore aka Motha Whitt
https://mothawhittyoga.com/
Very good and enlightening.