Yoga in Action
Community Discourse
Community Discourse VI
Kali: Storytelling, Singing & the Necessary Death
Thursday, May 15th at 5:45pm
Join us for an evening of storytelling, chanting, and conversation as we explore the fierce and loving wisdom of Kali. Together, we'll:
Share two powerful stories from Kali's mythology
Sing two Kali mantras
Reflect on the role of endings as a natural and necessary part of growth
Community Discourse V
Navigating the Tug-of-War: Working with Attachment & Aversion in Daily Life
Thursday, March 6th at 5:45pm
Every day, we’re pulled between attachment (raga)—the desire for what feels pleasurable or secure—and aversion (dvesha)—the instinct to avoid discomfort or opposition. These tendencies shape our relationships, decision-making, and emotional landscapes, often outside of our awareness. When unchecked, they can keep us trapped in cycles of craving and resistance, reinforcing stress, division, and reactivity. Rooted in both deep-seated habits and the brain’s natural drive for safety and reward, these patterns influence how we engage with the world, sometimes leaving us stuck or reactive.
This 60-minute Yoga in Action session explores how raga and dvesha—concepts from yogic philosophy—manifest in daily life, from the way we consume information to how we navigate relationships, work, and social interactions. These tendencies are central to our emotional responses and habitual patterns. Through a guided experiential exercise, participants will identify their personal patterns of attachment and aversion, learning how these forces unconsciously shape their choices and behaviors.
Together, we will:
Explore real-world examples of how attachment and aversion manifest in habits, relationships, and the broader socio-political landscape, bringing awareness to the subtle ways they influence perception.
Engage in an interactive group activity designed to highlight individual tendencies toward clinging or resistance and encourage more flexible, intentional responses.
Reflect on how to break unconscious cycles, allowing for greater adaptability, emotional balance, and deeper connection with those around us by working with—not against—our conditioned responses.
By recognizing these ingrained tendencies with curiosity rather than judgment, we can begin to respond rather than react, fostering greater clarity, resilience, and relational intelligence in our daily lives.
Bring a journal, and an open mind, as we explore how to navigate life’s constant push and pull with greater ease and awareness.
Community Discourse IV
Finding Balance in the Chaos: Tonglen Practice for a Compassionate World
Wednesday, December 11 at 5:45pm
This 60-minute Yoga in Action offers a deep dive into Tonglen, a classical Tibetan Buddhist meditation aimed at cultivating compassion and resilience in the face of collective suffering. Against the backdrop of our current socio-political climate—marked by pervasive divisiveness, rapid change and information overload—Tonglen provides a framework for engaging with distress without emotional withdrawal.
We will begin with foundational breathwork to establish grounded awareness, then explore the core practice of Tonglen: breathing in the suffering and discomfort present in ourselves and others and exhaling a sense of relief, compassion, and ease. In this process, we actively challenge the instinct to resist or suppress difficult emotions, instead transforming them into vehicles for compassion.
Participants will engage in a structured, experiential process designed to enhance emotional endurance and cultivate a relational understanding of self and society. By fostering a mindful receptivity to suffering, this practice ultimately seeks to nurture inner resilience and a sense of agency in the collective work toward empathy, understanding and collective restoration. Bring a journal and an open mind to this journey of conscious engagement with the world's complexities.
Community Discourse III: Metta Bhavana: Exploring Loving-Kindness Meditation Beyond "Love and Light"
Wednesday, August 7, 7-8pm
Join Danielle to explore the mettā-bhāvanā practice as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh. Mettā translates to loving-kindness, and bhāvanā denotes a practice or cultivation. While the wellness industrial complex often encourages sending "love and light," we sometimes miss the opportunity to explore how this touches all humans. Though we focus on cultivating empathy and loving-kindness for those who are oppressed, we must also cultivate that same loving-kindness for the aggressor. When balanced, this practice does not condone violence but recognizes that all beings are suffering and everyone deserves mettā, or loving-kindness.
What to Expect | Danielle will lead a 15-minute mettā-bhāvanā meditation, followed by a discussion of our experiences and how this practice relates to the genocide in Palestine being committed by Israel. We will explore how this practice can help us cultivate loving-kindness for all people and distinguish it from "love and light" culture. The session will conclude with a final 5-10 minute meditation practicing these skills of cultivating loving-kindness to all beings.
All Community Discourse | These events are free with a suggested donation of $0-$10. All donations go to Portland Yoga Collective’s yoga training scholarship fund to support our continued work of making systemic change towards diversity, equity and inclusion in our yoga community.
Community Discourse II: Leadership & The Tao De Ching
Sunday, May 19, 12:30-1:30pm
Join Christina as we continue our Yoga In Action community discourse series. Each community discourse explores a philosophical, theoretical framework for approaching the way we move through the world. Last time we met, we discussed ahimsa (non-harming) through the lens of caring for self & others during the displacement & genocide of peoples around the world. This community discourse, we will engage in a critical reading of select passages from Lao Tzu’s The Tao De Ching as we look at the role of folks in leadership. In this election year, we will use this ancient Chinese philosophical text to examine our own beliefs around what it means to be a responsible & effective leader. At the end of our session, we will have time together to write postcards to our elected politicians.
What to Expect | Exploration will include how we can apply the many aspects and practices of yoga in daily life. All sessions include a seated meditation or centering activity. Expect opportunities for silent reflection/journaling followed by optional sharing. Expect an “activity” portion of the session.
All Community Discourse | These events are free with a suggested donation of $0-$10. All donations go to Portland Yoga Collective’s yoga training scholarship fund to support our continued work of making systemic change towards diversity, equity and inclusion in our yoga community.
Community Discourse I: Ahimsa, non-harming
Sunday, February 18, 12:30-1:30pm
Join Portland Yoga Collective teachers and students for dynamic discussions on the theory and philosophy of yoga. For our first community discourse, Christina and Tizzy will lead a dynamic discussion on the principle of ahimsa, non-harming and how it relates to community and self care. This session will include an exploration of the various paths of ahimsa and how to take productive action on a local and global level to affect positive change.
What to Expect | Exploration will include how we can apply the many aspects and practices of yoga in daily life. All sessions include a seated meditation or centering activity. Expect opportunities for silent reflection/journaling followed by optional sharing.
All Community Discourse | These events are free with a suggested donation of $0-$10. All donations go to Portland Yoga Collective’s yoga training scholarship fund to support our continued work of making systemic change towards diversity, equity and inclusion in our yoga community.