Two Dog looks at Racial Equity and Inclusion
Twelve people came to the first meeting, August 27, 2020 on Racial Equity and Inclusion. Annie along with, Kay Knox and Carol Sanders, both longtime yoga students, will co-lead this on-going discussion.
Here is the follow up letter, dated 1-Sept-2020, with further information for those who would like to join this conversation:
Hello,
Thank you for joining the gathering last Thursday eve to discuss how we want to move forward at Two Dog as a white bodied group discussing the issues of racial equity and inclusion.
We came to agreement on several aspects of our meetings:
- We agreed to meet for three more sessions, total of 4 sessions initially. At the end of 4 sessions we will assess as whether we will continue. If we want to continue, we will discuss possibility of changes.
- We ask that if you want to continue, you commit to attending all sessions unless you have an emergency.
Please reply to this email from Annie by Friday September 4th as to whether you want to join this group for the next three sessions.
Meetings will be every two weeks on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30pm:
#2 - Sept 10th
#3 - Sept 24th
#4 - Oct 8th
We will put invite out to Two Dog community in the next week. A new participant can join in meeting #2 but after that the meetings will be closed through #4.
We did not decide length of meeting at our meeting on Thursday but we recommend maximum of 90 minutes. Any concerns about this?
It will not be a 'book group’ but rather a group where we listen to a podcast and/or read an article before our meeting and use the context of this information to share our own life experiences, learning’s, and reflections regarding racial issues.
2-3 questions will be offered as a starting point for discussion. We may use ‘Mindful of Race’ as reference for questions.
A Podcast seems more doable than reading a book, given our busy schedules to prepare for each meeting. We will share our own stories and understanding of our own racism and the pervasiveness of racism in our society.
In this light for next meeting, 9/10, we are asking all to listen to this podcast.
Resmaa Menakem and Robin DiAngelo In Conversation podcast
Further recommended resources:
Books:
- Waking up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving
- Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King
This is start to a resource list. Please send in your recommended resources.
We heard participants want:
- to contribute to the cause of equity and find 'on the ground' actions they can do in their community.
- to know, what does this change look like?
- to support each other
- to focus on our own growth through our stories as they relate to the resources
- to have group agreements…see below suggested group agreements.
- to have a commitment by participants to make the gatherings priority to build trust….no dropping in and out.
Further Considerations:
- Rotate leadership?
- Suggestion, we have a FB or email group to discuss/decide on logistics so as not to cut into time together in meetings. In this light initially, please email Annie any comments/suggestions/preferences on structure of meeting.
- suggestion we start with 3 minutes meditation to quiet and ground ourselves.
- Please arrive on time and plan to stay for whole meeting
- Add some humor.
- Interweave the importance of self care always but especially during this journey.
- If large response, we will consider splitting up into two or more groups.
Thank you for your participation.
We look forward to hearing from you, and seeing you at the next meeting.
Annie, Carol and Kay
Annie Stocker, September 2020
Our Community
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Two Dog Tales
Enjoy these highlights from the Two Dog e-newsletter and other writings contributed by and about Two Doggers over the years. It's a story archive that tells the tale of the Two Dog community: its teachers, students, neighbors and friends.
| Tales of Three Mother Blankets by Annie Stocker, December 2019 |
Annie's reflections on the "blankets" in ourlives that comfort & support us. |
| Sweetness for the Soul by Annie Stocker, November 2019 |
Annie's Musings on Vata Season |
| Through Seva, Two Dog Connects with Neighbors by Annie Stocker |
Seva-Selfless Service, Chair Yoga |
| Yelapa 2019 by Annie Stocker |
Benefits of attending the Yelapa retreat, held February 2019 |
| Aging with Wisdom and Grace by Wendy Groesbeck |
How we greet life's obstacles with wisdom and grace. |
| Seva at Two Dog by Annie Stocker |
The volunteer, giving back to community, that Two Dog supports |
|
Therapeutic Yoga: Annie's Journey |
Annie's journey to discover the benefits of yoga and the Therapeutic offerings at Two Dog |
| Three villages: Beloved Communities by Annie Stocker |
Yelapa in Mexico, Vaidyagrama in India, and Lake City in Seattle |
|
Gratitude Flows Over at Two Dog |
Unexpected sources of Gratitude |
| Generosity of Two Dog Community by Annie Stocker |
Two Dog Generous community |
| Annie's Om From Home by Annie Stocker |
How Annie found her voice |
| Mothers and Daughters at Two Dog by Valerie Sasson |
Sharing the experience of sore muscles on Sunday mornings |
| A Dog A Day? by Roxi Smith |
A home-practice story shared by a long-time Two Dogger |
| Turning the Kaleidoscope: Bringing Things to Light by Sarahjoy Marsh |
Bringing awareness to the ever-shifting materials of our inner kaleidoscope |
| A Year's Journey by Shannon McCall |
The story of a milestone year in the life of one Two Dog teacher |
| The Two Dogger Next Door by Jan Mikus |
Read about the life and healing experience of a studio regular |
|
To Plan or Not To Plan |
A reflection on how much our habits press on our thoughts, actions, reactions |
| The Space in Between by Wendy Groesbeck |
What are we really asking for when we want more time in our lives? |
| Why "Two Dog" by Annie Stocker |
Musing on the name of the studio |
|
Favorite Poses |
Wendy, Annie and Shannon reflect on their favorite poses |
|
Teen Kumbha |
A mother/son yoga experience |
|
About Gentle Yoga and Me |
Coming into yoga in the best possible way |
|
Yoga- Another Universe? |
How Yoga made me a better person |
|
Curve Balls and Fowl Balls |
Sometimes things happen |
|
Ayurveda |
Self-care |
|
What Yoga Means to Me |
Musings... |
| Coming Home by Annie Stocker |
Returning from Sri Lanka |
| Healing in Kerala by Annie Stocker |
A story of healing |
| Loving Lake City by Annie Stocker |
Reflection of a spring evening in Lake City |
Lovin' Lake City
Annie Stocker, Two Dog studio owner, has lived in Lake City since 1986 and feels a warm kinship with the ever-emerging neighborhood. Two Dog students bump into each other at local restaurants, the Lake City Farmers Market, the local hardware store, post office, parks and restaurants. More and more people now make Lake City their permanent home in which to grow their families and friendships. Two Dog is proud to be a part of the growth of this healthy, thriving community. Come explore!
Two qualities of life that we sometimes give low priority to are surrounding ourselves with beauty and developing community. These are being practiced at Two Dog Yoga studio. The gorgeous unfolding lotus mural secures the room where yoga, singing, dancing, eating, talking and more are offered with open arms to the Lake City neighborhood.
— Cynthia Lair, author of Feeding the Whole Family
Two Dog Yoga is a compassionate, supportive and nonjudgmental community of teachers and students which has benefitted me in ways I did not expect. I have been able to apply these experiences when I am off the mat to enhance my life as well as help me cope with everything from day-to-day stresses to more difficult times of loss and grief.
—Jodi McClain, Educational Audiologist
