by Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer

Nearly 400 people converged on Cal Anderson Park on June 27 to experience StonewallForty's EqualitYOGA. Participants exercised as a community from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Bobby Morris Playfield, each paying a $15 donation to help raise money for Equal Rights Washington and Lambda Legal.

Sen. Ed Murray (D-43) opened the event with a speech reminding everyone about how far the Gay movement has come during the past 40 years since the Stonewall riots, and the importance of holding the event at Cal Anderson Park, in honor of the Gay Seattle icon the park is named after. Because the exercise is said to be good for both the mind and body, Murray joked that "more politicians should be doing yoga."

"I've been asked recently, 'why yoga?' Why did I choose yoga to call attention to the need for LGBT equality?" said EqualitYOGA Executive Producer and Creative Strategist Genessa Krasnow. "Because when we show up on our mats to practice, our truest self appears. We are faced with our intentions, our ability to commit and our fears. It is in these moments that we awaken to our humanity."

In a speech to the crowd before the community exercise began, Krasnow told everyone, "Today we step onto our mats for LGBT equality. As a community we recognize that we have the ability to overcome any obstacles if we set the intention. We have the ability to create powerful and compassionate coalitions. And we have the ability to recognize that in each of us lies the need to be seen for who we are, heard for who we are, and loved for who we are."

Krasnow said it's love, recognition, honor and dignity and it's respecting others and ourselves fully that's the basis for equality.

Three teachers, Troy Lucero, Maygen McGrew, and Matt Meko lead the yoga practice in the park. The instructors guided participants through a "flow experience," asking what the world looks like where all people are equal, safe and protected by law as individuals and couples. Joining classes with EqualitYOGA Saturday morning were The Georgetown Yoga Center, Maya Whole Health, Samadhi, Samarya, YoBe, YogaLife, The Yoga Den, and Urban Yoga Spa.

"The people who showed up really got it, they got what the whole exercise was about," Krasnow said. "This was an amazing and remarkable experience. I think there's a lot more to come."

She said the event has the potential to be three times as big next year.

"I've been flooded with phone calls and e-mails from people who participated," said Krasnow. "Everyone has been supportive and telling me how much fun they had."

 Share on Facebook

Share on MySpace!

    Share on Delicious

Share on StumbleUpon!