Global Mala last year was inspiring. I walked around the room admiring all the beautiful people, the booths, the energy. It was a candy store for a hippie like me- all the organic, healthy and green you could possibly want. I stopped in front of a booth with the title “off the mat, into the world.” I was stunned. It sounded so.. Wonderful. Then I saw Seane Corn and two other beautiful faces smiling up at me from the poster. Something in my belly clicked: I had to do this, whatever it was.

It turned out to be a training program for Yogi’s and activists. It was a bridge between our own healing and allowing that healing to move into our communities. I read the website every day, relishing the strength and hope in this concept. My dear friend Alysha who I did a training with years ago also was devoted to attending this session which only confirmed that I was meant to do it as well.

January 2008 was the month we began. We got up early every morning to drive from Burbank to Venice, where we watched the sunrise over the ocean from our parking spot. I have done many trainings and workshops over the years- but there was nothing like this one. It was more than physical asana, so much more. It was the bridge from body and mind to spirit. We worked our bodies, our voices, our brains  and our souls. We had to speak our truth and admit our dreams and fears. It was hard. It was sweet. It was truly miraculous. I discovered things about myself that I had never known before. I shyly began to create a dream- a dream I had been to afraid to even consider. Working with the others was incredible. The room was filled with power and inspiration- we had to work together- we had to let go of old fears and resentments and connect deeply. I was so high off this workshop I was afraid I might never come down; and perhaps I didn’t want to. Seane Corn, Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling were so supportive and magnificent through the training. Hands on, heart to heart and nothing but truth they guided us through our transition. I was so grateful to be a part of the training.

As the week ended, I felt unstoppable- like I could go out and single handedly save the world! My group and I had amazing intentions and possibilities. We were going to make a difference. We had a plan!

But life is funny. As I moved back into my busy, busy life- I got further away from the raw power we tapped into. My ideas and endeavors took a back seat to catching up on bills and my relationships. The constant flow of emails between my group and I slowed and then stopped. I caught myself one day feeling terrible- No wonder the world was in this state! If we, as yogis, couldn’t stay focused enough to make a difference, how could we expect anyone else to?

Yet as I sit here, a few weeks away from Yoga month, I understand that things are as they need to be. I was not able to work in a soup kitchen every week and donate thousands of dollars to charity, no, not yet. But I have brought a new awareness to my life and my community. I have donated money from workshops to tree people, a local group. I am helping to set up and organize the events for Yoga Month in my studio. I feel comfortable speaking my truth and encouraging others to do the same and that it is okay to dream and dream big. As a yoga teacher, I have more respect for what this Yoga is actually about- its not just body- its taking it to the mind, the soul and only then can it transmit to others off the mat. I have learned that I can do Yoga MY way- the way that speaks to me, that fills me up. I have a stronger connection to my planet now and more compassion for others; as I have done deep inner work during my training sessions as well as faced my fears and doubts first hand in the time since. This changing the world stuff is not easy. It is truly much more simple to keep it on the mat. But that’s why there are people like Hala and Seane and Suzanne and Alysha and all the others who feel that click in their belly when they see phrases like “Off the mat, into the world”, “Global Mala” and anything else that tugs at the guts. Slowly, but surely, one mat at a time, I am moving into the world. And I KNOW each of you can, too.

 Editor’s Note:  For more information on the Off The Mat Into The World yogic activism and seva training program, please visit http://www.offthematintotheworld.org.  -Angela