Article and photos by: Thomas Dean

On October 9, dozens gathered under the Moulton Belltower to participate in full moon yoga guided by the Meditation and Mindfulness club. This event offered an opportunity for students and faculty to experience a liberating togetherness through a shared discipline. 

This was the first time I attended any type of yoga or formal meditation, and delving into such a foreign movement was initially intimidating. The first few movements certainly pushed me, and not just physically. I found myself wobbling and often cheating the movements in contrast to my more advanced peers. 

Looking around, it appeared as if everyone was not only confident in their postures but equally comfortable as the moon rose above. I felt isolated. Almost as if I was the only one unable to contribute to these poses, ostracized by my physical inability—the odd one out. 

Following the course, I spoke with Yoga Therapist and founder of Above and Beyond Yoga and  Salt Therapy, Shoshana Treichel, to hear her experiences and thoughts. 

“The word yoga itself means unity, it means connection; it actually is a verb, to yoke, which means to integrate to become whole.” 

As the sun continued to fall, so too did my worries. I began to embrace my stumbles by acknowledging my imperfections as initial learning experiences.

Shoshana continued, “It is not about improvement – that happens as you have consistent practice – it is about acceptance. Self-acceptance. The only way we can find that serenity is if we exchange expectation for acceptance.” 

Through the next two hours, I noticed that in this melting pot of postures and body types, we each have our own faults. And yet, we concurrently share this mutual space. 

“We are not our thoughts, we are the person who’s listening to them,”  said Tony Bowers, a volunteer for the event with more than thirty years of meditation experience.

By the end of the night, I was able to find my mind and isolate myself from the comparison to others. This exposure to yoga and meditation not only provided me with physical benefits but also complemented a unique sense of self-gratitude. 

Tony Bowers continued, “It is only good (yoga). It is your own experience, see for yourself, you’re the judge. Don’t take anybody’s word for it or let them tell you what it is or how to do it. Just come for yourself, come check it out.” 

For more information on upcoming yoga and meditation opportunities, please check out the Meditation and Mindfulness club’s website at https://usameditation.weebly.com or on Involve South