Yoga Energy Activism
“We must use time creatively. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative, peaceful extremists (in service to the people).
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
From the Gulf BP Oil spill to the recent accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Plants in Japan, Americans are slowly waking to the global dangers of toxic energy. Our energy future has no borders. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat are interconnected as every community is "downwind" of the next. Oil will run out of production between 2025 and 2040. Only 3% of the earth's water is fresh water and of that only 1% is drinkable for 20% of the world's population that has access to clean water. Waste incineration accounts for over 30% of the CO2 emissions and fewer than 3% of the plastic manufactured is made of recyclable plastics or gets recycled. And we waste more energy than we create - 54% according to GOOD magazine’s recent issue dedicated to clean energy.
The good news is that it would only take .02% of the current solar energy from the sun alone to supply power to the entire world. China has in the works to be 40% powered by solar energy by 2020 not for the green benefits but because solar is cost effective. We are abundant in natural renewable energy BUT WE CHOOSE and are dependent on toxic, non-renewable energy sources both as a lifestyle and often as an inner state.
Yoga has always been intimately connected to the prana of nature from the open air yoga centers (shalas) to the knowledge of synching the body with the elements. This year on Shivratri, a group of 300 plus Sadhus, Sadhvis began a 40 day pilgrimage to New Delhi demanding to speak with congress about the dying Yamuna River. On Shivratri in Rishikesh, I saw many people walking to the NilaKanth Temple as part of all-night fasting to awaken realization. During these holi-days connected to the moon and the sun, many people fast or feast, alone or with family, “unplugged” from modern energy use with only candlelight as a way to be more connected. Through that natural act of either not using energy or using energy in a special way (a walking pilgrimage), the body is attuned to a deeper rhythm AND the side benefit - you actually save energy. Quite a bit of energy.
If every American unplugged everything (but their refrigerator) for one day, it is enough energy to power their laptop for a year. Put that together with water saving and zero waste and we get to see the positive impact of a day-long retreat. This kind of energy Sabbath has been part of spiritual cultures from Judaism to the rainforest.
In our lifetime, there will be a transition from toxic fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Every person'carbon foot-print when added together can have a huge positive or negative impact. Each one of us is responsible for contributing to this shift, as our personal energy use is a part of the whole.
Yoga is about connecting the pathways between inner and outer, microcosm and macrocosm. Now is the time to take responsibility for our inner and outer world so that we can wake-up from the inertia that is preventing positive change and realize the natural gifts of prana that are inherent in the elements of the sun, water, earth, and air that are being depleted and poisoned.
I invite you to join Yoga Energy Activism in partnership with Global Green and sponsoring organizations like LA Yoga Pages to come together twice a month (around new moon/full moons) and on seasonal ritual cycles for renewal on all energy levels. On these days for personal retreat or gathering with friends and family, we hope to inspire thousands of people to activate the power of our inner and outer energy renewal towards a sustainable future for all. If you have to use energy on these days, we encourage you do carbon offsetting on Global Green’s website: www.globalgreen.com.
Please help us spread the word to your local yoga communities and help people sign people up for the Energy Regeneration Challenge on www.yogaenergyactivism.com. Resources are there for you to inspire your local studio and help be part of 1,008/10,008 people for Earth Day, April 22 through September 22 as well as eco-living tools. Spring is the time for waking up and aligning with the positive energy renewal of life. Unplug, Root in. Rise up.
