Celebrating Pride: Voices from the Yoga Mat
June is a time to celebrate Pride, a month dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, commemorating their history, and advocating for equality. In the spirit of community and solidarity, we've reached out to our MY team to share what Pride means to them.
Here’s what they have to say:
Loren
UHill Teacher
Pride is an opportunity to embrace all forms of love, freedom, and care towards oneself and others in our broader community. All year we should be celebrating the beautiful diversity that enriches our lives and world.
Holly
Carytown Studio Support
To me, Pride is an opportunity to be the truest version of myself. Finding community in Raleigh has been such an important part of the coming out process for me, and seeing all of the celebration fills me with so much love every year.
Sarah
North Hills Studio Support
Pride to me is freedom and expression. Similar to my yoga practice, it allows me to tap into the truest parts of myself and embrace it fully!
Paige
Carytown Teacher
How boring would life be if we were all the exact same? Pride is a chance to celebrate our differences, because our differences is what makes our lives unique and special.
Segovia
UHill Teacher
Pride means having the freedom to show up as yourself without fear or hesitation. It means standing firmly for who you are and fighting for others to have the same opportunity to show up as who they are as well. Every human being on this planet deserves that — to know deeply who they are and to share that with the world.
Emily
Carytown Teacher
Pride means a lot to me as I have two small children I want to set an example for. I want them to know they are loved and accepted no matter who they are or choose to love. I also want to show them that others deserve love and compassion for the same reasons.
Shannon
North Hills + Carytown Studio Manager
The unwavering and unapologetic way of being yourself and standing for what you believe in.
lafire
Carytown Studio Support
I correlate Pride to Proud! It’s about being Proud, Passionate, Honored, etc,. You are exactly who you are supposed to be!
Ainsley
North Hills Studio Support
To me, Pride is an opportunity to be the truest version of myself. Finding community in Raleigh has been such an important part of the coming out process for me, and seeing all of the celebration fills me with so much love every year.
Mackenzie
Carytown Teacher
Pride month, especially as a fitness instructor who prioritizes inclusivity and community, is about celebrating diversity not only in my classes and our studio, but beyond those walls everyday. It is a time to ensure everyone feels welcomed and respected, to stand together for equality, and to highlight the strength found in our differences while coming together as a unified community.
Each of these stories convey the power of our diverse identities and the peace that comes with self-acceptance. Pride month is more than just a celebration; it's a reaffirmation of our commitment to visibility, equality, and community—values deeply embedded in the practice of yoga. As we reflect on these testimonies, let us carry the spirit of Pride into every pose and every breath, creating a space where everyone feels truly welcome.
