If even this super-woke yoga studio falls victim to todays cancel culture, where will it all end? – RT
Posted: July 2, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Kindness Yoga Studios in Denver, Colorado offered gender-neutral bathrooms, person-of-color nights, and LGBTQ+ workshops but was still canceled for insufficient wokery. This just proves nothing is ever enough for the mob.
Despite being one of the wokest businesses ever, the chain of yoga studios has just been shut down after a localized Instagram storm accused them of performative activism.
Activism is by its very nature performative, especially when done on social media, but if this business isnt woke enough to survive the purge, I dont believe that there is one in existence that can keep up with these standards.
Kindness Yoga Studios has been going in Denver since 2001, and even by yoga studio standards, it is staggeringly progressive. The Colorado Sun reports that the business had gender-neutral bathrooms, person-of-color yoga nights where white friends and allies were asked to respectfully refrain from attending, and LGBTQ+ yoga workshops. It even had a donation-based model, meaning people werent barred from entry on the basis of their ability to pay, with some paying as little as $1 for a class.
That is uber-woke, that is avant-garde woke, that is to mainstream modern leftism what Terrance Malik is to mainstream cinema. People-of-color-only nights, LGBTQ yoga workshops, gender neutral bathrooms, and virtually free classes? Im personally amazed a business model like that managed to succeed, but, somehow, Patrick Harrington managed to make it do so for 19 years. All for it to be brought down thanks to a pincer movement of Americas current twin hysterias: Covid-19 and racism but mainly racism.
As the Black Lives Matter movement has gone from strength to strength in the USA and around the world, grievance mongers have been emboldened. Before the killing of George Floyd, there was already an uncomfortable willingness of some to cry racism where there was none, and fringe elements constantly hectoring people for their new religions sins, white privilege being the main one, replacing the old original sin of the Christian faith.
Others, like cultural appropriation, transphobia and unconscious bias, all fell into the purview of the new police of vice and virtue. Following the BLM protests around the world, they now enforce their new religion with the zeal of a crusader or jihadist.
Patrick Harringtons 19-year-old business came to a crashing end in the space of a few days earlier this month after two employees turned the mob on Kindness Yoga Studios with a couple of Instagram posts. A black former employee, Davida Taylor, took to Instagram to say that the studios performative activism was making it unsafe for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students and teachers.
Around the same time another former employee, an indigenous trans man named Jordan Smiley, also decided it was a good time to go after his workplace. Smiley accused white-owned yoga studios of having distorted yoga into foremost a physical practice, instead of a mental one, and have instituted a preference for a certain body type, color of skin, ableism and athleticism.
View this post on Instagram
I'm excited to announce that moving forward, Courageous Yoga will be live and in-person every Sunday in Denver! . All-Levels Flow June 14th, 21st, 28th, July 5th and 12th registration are open - link in bio. . Beginning this Sunday, the community we've maintained, nurtured and uplifted as a crew during the pandemic will come together to practice in breath and solidarity - and we're going to bring it. . Bring everything you learned in this interim, your sacred rage, your queer intuition, your ancestral wisdom, your leadership - your body just like you are. . We will revel in the healing and visionary energy that occurs most when we're in person. This will be a BYOP (bring your own props), donation-based, equitable and trauma-conscious environment - all experiences are welcome. . It is not enough anymore to be compassionate - it's time to be Courageous. . Class sizes are limited, so pre-registration is required. *June 14th sold out before I could finish this post - dont delay because I Cannot. Wait. To see you!! . And yes - online Zoom classes will continue as usual
A post shared by Jordan Smiley (@jordan.e.smiley) on Jun 10, 2020 at 9:01am PDT
Neither Taylor nor Smiley raised these issues with Kindness Studios before they posted their grievances publicly. Smiley claims he didnt want Kindness to shut down but rather undergo serious inclusivity work.
Taylor seemed downright vindictive. When the white CEO started crying at her resignation, Taylor accused her of the weaponizing of sadness and tears in a viral video. She added: It is one of the more insidious factors of white supremacy and whiteness. And it is used as a tool and as a tactic to make me feel in this black body that I have done something inherently wrong to bring this sadness upon you.
Putting it bluntly, this is f**king insane. Harrington has seen 19 years of his life go down in flames, he is even having to sell his house to cope with the financial fallout of these baseless accusations of white supremacy and hatred. The very idea of a white supremacist yoga studio is ridiculous, it was invented in India for Christs sake. But no matter, this mans livelihood can go up in smoke because he isnt quite woke enough. He tried, they told him the pictures on his website were too white, so he invited people of color to take part in a photoshoot, but of course this was tokenism. Too bad, whitey, your business has to go bye-bye.
Interestingly both Taylor and Smiley are now opening their own yoga studios funny old world, isnt it?
The most tragic thing of all? Harrington cant even bring himself to call out these baseless and mendacious accusations for what they are. Despite being upset, he acknowledges that my privilege could have me blind to [their grievances]. Im trying to learn.
Maybe if Harrington tries hard enough, he will finally learn to love Big Brother.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
- Black Swan Yoga Houston Black Swan Yoga - January 27th, 2021
- Best laptop deals: Save on Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1s, Samsung Galaxy Flex and Ion and more - CNET - January 27th, 2021
- Eye yoga: the trend that promises to help you focus and destress - harpersbazaar.com - January 27th, 2021
- Yoga, beer and coffee: A good fit at yoga class in Virginia - WUSA9.com - January 27th, 2021
- National yoga chain plants its flag at the Regency mall with plans to expand - RichmondBizSense - January 27th, 2021
- Face Yoga Announces the Release of its New App - Yahoo Finance - January 27th, 2021
- Pacifica Beach Yoga owner issues another threat, this time directed at San Mateo official - SFGate - January 27th, 2021
- 7 science-backed physical and mental health benefits of yoga - Insider - INSIDER - January 27th, 2021
- Face Yoga is Set to Become the Ultimate Home Beauty Routine - Yahoo Finance - January 27th, 2021
- Celebrity Yoga Instructor Desi Bartlett and Best Selling Author and Doula Lori Bregman Team Up to Support Pregnant Mamas During COVID-19 with Their... - January 27th, 2021
- Unboxing and first hands-on with the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook [VIDEO] - Chrome Unboxed - January 27th, 2021
- Ice Yoga: The Ultimate In Mind Over (Frozen) Matter - CBS Minnesota - January 27th, 2021
- West Omaha gym combines spinning, strength training and yoga - Omaha World-Herald - January 27th, 2021
- Yoga Fixed My Back - Here's How - Teton Gravity Research - January 27th, 2021
- Vino Vinyasa Offers Afternoon Of Wine And Yoga In Austin - Patch.com - January 27th, 2021
- Kylie Jenner hit the gym in a pair of booty shorts from this celeb-approved brand - Yahoo Sports - January 27th, 2021
- Yoga HIIT Is the Best Way To Get Your Daily Dose of Strength Training, Stretching, and Cardio at the Same Time - Well+Good - January 27th, 2021
- Cheap laptop deals: over $900 off Lenovo's ThinkPad L390 Yoga 2-in-1 laptop - T3 - January 27th, 2021
- Yoga Has a Diversity ProblemBlack-Owned Studios Are Changing That - Glamour - January 5th, 2021
- Malaika Arora nails this balancing yoga pose; heres how you can do it too - The Indian Express - January 5th, 2021
- Did 2020 mark the demise of yoga in America? - Salon - January 5th, 2021
- The Art of Yoga - outsmartmagazine.com - January 5th, 2021
- I practiced yoga every day for a month, and I learned a valuable lesson about listening to my body - Insider - INSIDER - January 5th, 2021
- Three ways the Yoga industry can thrive in our Covid-19 world - Stuff.co.nz - January 5th, 2021
- Malaika Arora kickstarts New Year workout with Yoga inside pool and we are in awe of her balance - Hindustan Times - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga, Sicily, and wine-tasting among library's offerings in January - The Local Ne.ws - January 5th, 2021
- Love doing yoga? Here are six winter practices to incorporate into your everyday life - The Indian Express - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga- The scientific approach to religion - Daily Excelsior - January 5th, 2021
- Mayo Clinic Q&A: The health benefits of yoga - Reading Eagle - January 5th, 2021
- Yoga Instructor Gives Tips for a Healthy New Year - FOX 21 Online - January 5th, 2021
- 14 New Years Eve Meditation and Yoga Classes You Can Stream Online - Well+Good - January 5th, 2021
- Afro Yoga Allies Is Launched to Support BIPOC - PR Web - January 5th, 2021
- 10 Useful Naturopathy And Yoga Tips For Diabetics in Winters - India.com - January 5th, 2021
- Topeka yoga teacher will start 2021 by offering 21-day meditation series - The Topeka Capital-Journal - January 5th, 2021
- Jessica Alba Swears by Pilates, HIIT, and Hot Yoga for Strong, Sculpted Abs at 39 - Prevention.com - January 5th, 2021
- Astro Yoga Combines Astrology and YogaHeres How To Practice It - Well+Good - January 5th, 2021
- From goat yoga to professional play, these people took risks and found their purpose through passion - Upworthy - January 5th, 2021
- We asked an influencer, yoga teacher, and others how their pandemic pivots went - The Verge - December 17th, 2020
- A FeetUp Trainer To Invest In Yoga and Mental Health At Home - The Daily Beast - December 17th, 2020
- How to ease stress with eye yoga: Celebrity yoga teacher Koya Webb - Insider - INSIDER - December 17th, 2020
- The New You: The many benefits of yoga - WKYC.com - December 17th, 2020
- New Fitness Businesses That Opened in Philadelphia Amid the Pandemic - Philadelphia magazine - December 17th, 2020
- Benefits of embarking on a yoga retreat - Travel Daily News International - December 17th, 2020
- Here's Everything You Need to Know About Yoga Bolsters - Longevity LIVE - December 17th, 2020
- Its never too late to start, says Shilpa Shetty as she aces Sirsasana - The Indian Express - December 17th, 2020
- Topeka yoga instructor to host winter solstice hike - The Topeka Capital-Journal - December 17th, 2020
- Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 1 review: A compact and flexible business 2-in-1 Review - ZDNet - December 17th, 2020
- 5 Yoga Asanas To Try At Home To Get Rid Of Belly Fat - Femina - December 17th, 2020
- Published Together: A guide to 2021 health goals and supporting local economy from home - Rapid Growth - December 17th, 2020
- We Tried Them: 8 Yoga Mats That Are Actually Worth the Investment - Yahoo Lifestyle - December 17th, 2020
- Changa Bell Explains Why He Created the Black Male Yoga Initiative - menshealth.com - October 27th, 2020
- Twin Cities yoga instructor part of special network for Black men - KARE11.com - October 27th, 2020
- 17 Best Yoga Gifts for the Yoga Lover In Your Life - Self - October 27th, 2020
- New beer-themed yoga class a hit with beginners, says instructor - SooToday - October 27th, 2020
- Where to buy the best yoga pants a k a Gen Z's 'flared leggings' in 2020 - New York Post - October 27th, 2020
- Just breathe - how yoga can help you get through the pandemic - WFMYNews2.com - October 27th, 2020
- Art Exhibit, Meditation, and Yoga in Sag Harbor - East Hampton Star - October 27th, 2020
- Student helps campus restore inner balance with virtual yoga class | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | TAMUSA - The Mesquite - October 27th, 2020
- Studies show how yoga may help boost age-related areas of brain - Atlanta Journal Constitution - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga helps mind and body to become and stay healthy - The Killeen Daily Herald - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga Clothing Market 2020: Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Know the COVID19 Impact | Top Players: Alo Yoga,... - October 27th, 2020
- 4 expert-recommended yoga poses to relieve shoulder and neck pain - TheHealthSite - October 27th, 2020
- Pilates Yoga Studios Market 2020 | Know the Latest COVID19 Impact Analysis And Strategies of Key Players: Pure International, Rainbow Kids Yoga, Shiva... - October 27th, 2020
- The Best Yoga Mat Options for Workouts and Stretches - BobVila.com - October 27th, 2020
- A day in the life of the social media star behind Yoga with Adriene - Telegraph.co.uk - October 27th, 2020
- Yoga and Exercise Mats Market Changing Dynamics Of Competition With Forecast To 2026 - PRnews Leader - October 27th, 2020
- Global Yoga Clothing Market 2020 Industry Key Players, Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2025 - Aerospace Journal - October 27th, 2020
- Global Fitness and Yoga Mats Market 2020 Trends, Market Share, Industry Size, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecast To 2026 Wall Street Call -... - October 27th, 2020
- My life in sex: the woman who found yoga helped with orgasms - The Guardian - October 27th, 2020
- Global Yoga Apparel Market Expected To Witness The Highest Growth 2027 | Gaiam, Jade, Outdoor Voices, Liforme, Beyond Yoga, La Vie Boheme - The Think... - October 27th, 2020
- The Only 7 Yoga Poses You Need to Build Muscle - LIVESTRONG.COM - October 27th, 2020
- Southbury Happenings: Yoga, Books, Scarecrows and Pumpkins! - HamletHub - October 16th, 2020
- Baba Ramdev's yoga act on elephant draws lawyers' notice, saying it was an act of cruelty to the animal - India Legal - October 16th, 2020
- Feel Good Friday: Support a Local Yoga Business, Buy a Bottle of Wine, and Listen to New Tunes from a Local Musician - southsoundmag.com - October 16th, 2020
- What Is Face Yoga and Does It Work? - Everyday Health - October 16th, 2020
- 'Outdoors, animals, yoga all good things' - The Times - October 16th, 2020
- Benefits of yoga and meditation The Elm - Washington College Elm - October 16th, 2020
- Five meditation and yoga techniques to calm your soul and help you sleep better - The Indian Express - October 16th, 2020
- Yoga Bags Market Size, Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts to 2026 -... - October 16th, 2020
- 10 Best Workout Mats 2020 - Best Yoga and HIIT Mats for Home Gyms - GoodHousekeeping.com - October 16th, 2020