School, Source

Some of you know that in spite of my aggressively Caucasian appearance, I have strong Hawaiian roots. My mom was born and raised in Honolulu and throughout my life has shared many stories about celebrating and honoring her heritage.

I don't claim to be anything close to a Hawaiian scholar, yet her enthusiasm for the strength and richness of her culture certainly rippled out to me and my siblings.

Sharing this because while I was initially familiar with the term "Kula" in Sanskrit, I was delighted to discover that Kula is also a Hawaiian term. In Sanskrit (depending on the context), "Kula" means "belonging, group, or village." In Hawaiian--again, context-dependent--it means "school" or "source."

All of those definitions reinforced my vision of Kula as a comforting place to join together in our shared humanity and, most importantly, explore--explore what it means to live in this world, explore new topics, explore alternative perspectives, explore spirituality, explore what it means to be who we are.

In my experience, growth is easier to navigate while surrounded by supportive individuals. When I think of my ideal version of a school, I imagine a place where perfection, rigidity, and pretentiousness are challenged. We embrace the messiness of being a human while fostering a connection back to Source, whatever that may mean to you.

Within this "school" there is shared wisdom. While I may know a thing or two, theres space for all of us to learn from each other. I am still unsure how much I buy into Astrology, but I honor my dear friends who have found comfort and guidance within that practice. From a practical standpoint, I simply enjoy the shared ritual of joining together in self reflection while honoring phases of nature.

You don't have to believe in anything we offer. In fact, I encourage critical analysis and personal application. In classes I often remind folks that they get to choose what works and what doesn't. I can offer general guidance but, to me, Yoga means determining for yourself what feels true and supportive. In my humble opinion, I think a large part of determining that truth requires ample exploration.

So slap on your coziest pair of pants and giddy up to the studio.

🤠