Yoga, no bullshit.
Protesters of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement have descended on lower Manhattan in the form of peaceful makeshift bed-ins and barricades in the name of freedom, and they plan to stay for a few months. Hoping to attract more than 20,000, the gathering drew maybe half a fraction of that amount when it kicked off Saturday, but many participants are encouraged to set up beds and kitchens to stick it out for the long haul.
According to organizers’ website “Occupy Wall Street” was inspired by previous protests in Egypt, Greece, Spain, and Iceland:
“We plan to use the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic of mass occupation to restore democracy in America. We also encourage the use of nonviolence to achieve our ends and maximize the safety of all participants.”
Nonviolent tactics and peaceful protests included group yoga classes set up in front of the Wall Streeters and passersby.
A fascinating thing to watch as yoga becomes more popular not only as an individual practice, but as a unifying (peaceful) battle cry and demonstration of dissent. Controlled chaos and harmonized yoga for a better world. Namaste, peaceful warriors.
You know, this totally gives us an idea for next time our Metrocard stops working inexplicably. Watch out MTA, this Parivrrta Trikonasana has your name on it!
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Earlier…
- Tom Brokaw Tells Stephen Colbert He Was Doing Yoga On Morning of 9/11
- Abercrombie’s ‘Perfect Butt’ Yoga Pants (for Skinny Photoshopped Aliens)
- Top 5 Reasons Alec Baldwin Should Be NYC’s Mayor with Yoga Teacher Girlfriend
- Yoga Pants Make Vancouver 3rd Worst-Dressed City in the World
- Where Yoga Fits in September 11th Memories, Memorabilia
Less than 1000 protesters, actually. 300-400 the next day.
This is quite puzzling. How do the protesters plan to restore democracy by doing yoga?
Apparently by doing a Warrior series.
Are they seriously equating Egypt’s situation with their own lives in the U.S.??
Why Not Sam??? Lives in the UK with lives of those in the USA or India, or China or yes even EGYPT are all deeply connected, you know that???
Le Earth: I don’t think you fully understand my question. All our lives may be interconnected, yes. But our lives are not the same. Extreme suffering: starvation, violence, etc vs. middle-class yogis complaining about high taxes? No.
Involving asana so publically in an ill-defined protest seems like an attempt to prove their liberal, hippy cred. I don’t see how it was being used to make a point related to the “protest.”
I wonder if any of the yoga protesters were wearing Lululemon? Lulu’s stock is up almost 3 points today.
I *so* love the lead-off picture. Makes me think of Nandi and Shiva Nataraj, except of course that he’s a she, but so is he and … *gets dizzy and falls down*
Love the picture 🙂
Thanks for sharing. I commend your Dharma for the post. Many are seeking to understand how to stand against tyranny without contributing to negative energies. This may help: http://supremeboundlessway.com/2011/10/01/occupy-right-action-–-the-spiritual-practice-social-activism/
Hey! Thanks for your perspective on the Occupy movement. I wrote one too about what it really means to “occupy”.
Wall Street and Downward Dog: Taking Up Occupancy
at http://www.fallingopen.ca/yoga-philosophy-blog.html
Pam