Acknowledgement to Country

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I live, love, learn & work - the Yugara and Jagera people. While I, a woman of Anglo-Saxan descent, will never have a true appreciation of the adversity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have faced & continue to, I would like to acknowledge their wisdom, ongoing resilience and connection to land, waters and community. I would also like to acknowledge the continuing importance of their knowledge, customs, and traditions in shaping the present and future, and wholeheartedly wish that we all would.

Acknowledging My Privilege

As a white cisgendered resourced woman, in an able body, I recognize the privilege I hold in our society. I understand that with this privilege, my own experiences may differ significantly from the lived experiences of many others. I am dedicated to using my privilege for good, making efforts to share it & keep it ‘in check’ as best I can. I aim to create a safe and welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds, body types, and abilities and welcome feedback when I fall short of this.

Acknowledging Cultural Appropriation in Yoga

As a white yoga teacher, I also wish to acknowledge the the issue of cultural appropriation in the practice of yoga. Yoga originated in ancient South Asian cultures and has deep roots in various traditions, philosophies, and spiritual practices. I acknowledge that the spread and popularization of yoga in Western societies has often resulted in cultural appropriation, and that I have benefitted from this. I commit to ongoing self-reflection and education to deepen my understanding of yoga's cultural origins and the impact of appropriation. I always try to be mindful of ways in which I learn, teach, share, and promote yoga - that it does so with respect to its roots and honors the cultural context from which it emerged.

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