Weak Ties and the Trayvon Martin Movement

In the book "The Power of Habit", author Charles Duhigg says, " A movement starts because of the social habits of friendship and the strong ties between close acquaintances.
It grows because of the habits of a community, and the weak ties that hold neighborhoods and clans together.
And it endures because a movement's leaders give participants new habits that create a fresh sense of identity and a feeling of ownership."

In February 2012, George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin dead with a bullet through the heart, and many people in the U.S., particularly those in the black community, became enraged because a 17 year old black boy, carrying an Iced Tea and a bag of skittles, was dead, shot by a white man with a gun who pursued him while he was on his way home. The Sanford, Florida Police department did nothing to arrest Mr. Zimmerman. They claimed he acted in self defense although Trayvon Martin was unarmed. 

Hence protests in the form of non-violent activism broke out across many states in America, not just in Florida, with protesters speaking out against the Stand Your Ground law and the need for the Florida Sanford Police department to arrest George Zimmerman and bring him to trial.  In June, 2013 (according to Martin Hodgson of Australia in the article Trayvon and License to Kill) ; for,14 days, 56 witnesses, 2010 pieces of evidence and 6,720 minutes of trial, the George Zimmerman case was tried in the courts.  I watched too, not every minute, but intently so, as the character of Trayvon Martin was tried, stabbed at and he was killed all over again; while a nation watched and shook its head as the aggressor, the perpetrator, the adult in the room was said to be the one who believed HIS life was in danger, and therefore cried, yelled for help and "rightly" KILLED to defend himself because HE thought THAT HE was going to die!  Anyone who watched the case, Mr. Hodgson in Australia, myself here in Bermuda and I'm certain many others in varying parts of the world and of course countless concerned citizens, black and white, in America who deliberately followed this case; many felt, once again, that this was a case gone terribly awry!

At the briefing, after the verdict was read, I remember watching the interview with defense lawyer Mark O'Mara when he stated,  "On the civil aspect, if someone believes it is appropriate to sue George Zimmerman, we will seek and we will get immunity...and we'll see just how many civil lawsuits is spurn from this fiasco. " I suspect  lawyers had similar attitudes toward Rosa Parks who would not give up her seat on the bus, and Dr. Martin Luther King who did not succumb to the fear, hatred and violence of those who refused to believe that blacks should have equal rights and be treated with equal dignity and respect during the Civil Rights Movement. What Mr. O'Mara fails to realize (perhaps) is that the  unstoppable civil rights movement of the 60's  (as expressed in Power of Habit) was spurn out of the strength of weak ties.  My take is that it is these same weak ties, since the George Zimmerman verdict, that are now connecting many Americans and bringing them to the brink of proclaiming enough is enough!

The strength of weak ties is the social network theory of American sociologist Mark Granovetter who argued  that it is weak ties, not strong ties, that build bridges and spur social movements.  The peaceful marches led by Reverend Al throughout many American cities, the sit-in of the "Dreamers" at Mayor Rick Scott's office in Florida, the commentaries of  the T.V. anchors supporting and encouraging (on most stations) a healthy discussion on race in America; and,politicians to the left and to the right and actors from Hollywood, are all steadily weighing in on this tragedy and speaking up about it.  Then there are  the words of the President of the United States of America, who happens to be black , talking out about his own personal experiences and about racism and racial profiling in America and the marginalization of black males. All of these actions suggest a surge, a movement  where the strength of weak ties are taking root and an activist movement is making its case for how and why it needs to be.

Maybe my thinking as an activist is enthusiastically oversimplified.  Or maybe it is not.  It is still too early to tell.  But what I do know, each time I turn on the T.V. or check my twitter page, read the newspaper or see reactions to the verdict in our own Royal Gazette here in Bermuda, I am inspired by the development and integration of a convergent force of energy around a common cause, a common aim  - justice for Trayvon Martin and the many other black and brown boys and men who have been treated unjustly, profiled or killed in America (or any place else for that matter) simply because they are black!

So when Mark O'Mara talks about immunity for his client, I smile.  True justice is more than just facts that are permissible in a court of law.  Real freedom is borne out of the procilvity for true justice, true peace.The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., the fight against Apartheid in South Africa; the Theatre Boycott in Bermuda or a nation's response to the George Zimmerman verdict and the senseless killing of a young black youth armed with skittles, are all motivated by the strength of  those weak ties, that have caused a movement  ( in this case) to rise up for Justice for Trayvon Martin!  A movement that will leave a legacy for this young man beyond the image of a hoodie, a movement that will change American, the world and the Civil Rights Movement, for good, for ever more.

Yoga On The Rock 2012 Upcoming Events, Retreats, Classes

Upcoming Events, Retreats, Courses and Classes 2012

The years 2010 and 2011 were tough years with the last months, weeks and days of 2011 ending with more stress, turmoil and structural uncertainty here on the Rock than I have ever known before in all my lifetime.  Although we have had  a few positive deviations during the festive Christmas Holiday,  as January rolls in we are again faced with the stark reality on this cold winter day that life on the Rock is not what it used to be; and, although some of us may be okay for the moment, there are many who are not, with no job, overdue mortgage payments and worse still rent!!, health issues and childcare responsibilities that they can ill afford!!   Quite frankly, they need our help in whatever way we can give it. So, as we move into 2012 I invite you to drop the mask ( New Year's Eve is over!!) and journey into a sober 2012. There is much to be done to support (emotionally and physically)  those in need of our help.

Notwithstanding, it is so difficult to reach out to others when our own house is on shaky ground, when we ourselves are struggling to survive. Yet we are called, as Richard Rohr would say, in the book Falling Upward,  to pay attention to the story within the story.  Hence our journey is not just about doing whatever  feels good; but, how will it serve us, and how can that service be transformed into something that will benefit our loved one, our friend, neighbour and  the world at large?

Hence I invite you to join in our classes for 2012 with the interest and/or intent to open yourself up to continued grow and transformation.  I promise to do the same, through my teaching, through my continued training scheduled for this year and also through my commitment to serve you better than ever before. It is my wish that together, through the tools offered in Yoga On The Rock programs and classes, we can step out, during this 2012 season, to do great work to make the world a better place for all.

Here is what we have to offer thus far this year:

The 30-Day Challenge - Students are invited to join  the 30-Day challenge during the months of January and February and pay a discounted rate for classes - $10 per class, for those who commit to 15 classes, during this period or more.  Please check out The Yoga Centre community facebook page for a schedule of all The Centre's classes included in the 30-Day challenge or email me for the schedule. Classes commence January 4th.

Retreat Sunday  - January 15th - Title - Who Am I?
This retreat is an all day Sunday event, scheduled for January 15th commencing at 9:30am until 4:30pm.  It  and will focus on an exploration of the self from self to Self  and will concentrate on  Personality Types, Chakra Yoga, Jnana Yoga  and the question of Who Am I?  This will be an exploratory day to introduce participants to personality types in themselves and those around them, introduce participants to the chakras and how to balance themselves, through the practice of Chakra Yoga, with a final focus on Jnana Yoga, meditation and the True Self.  Meant to be both inspirational and fun. Cost for day - $125.  A light lunch and snacks are included.

Deepening Your Meditation - 8-Week Course
This 8-Week course commences on Thursday, January 12th and runs every Thursday thereafter until completion.  This is a basic meditation course for those new to meditation and/or those wanting support and encouragement to develop a regular practice.  It is a comprehensive course where students learn about meditation theory and background as well as apply practical application each week during class with a formal 1/2 hour sitting.  Students receive 15 Yoga Alliance recognized community education credit hours ( 15 CE hours) and a certificate, at the completion of this course. Call or email to register. Course cost is $150.  Please note Deepening Your Meditation II course, commences in March 2012. 


Wellness Over 50 - 8-Week Course
This 8-week course is a comprehensive course that combines hatha yoga, meditation, diet, job stress, relationships and purposeful living in this inspiring program to help those wanting a fresh start, learn to approach the second stage of our lives with vigor,greater appreciation and meaningful direction.  This course is a combination of both practical application as well as discussion and yoga philosophical teaching.  Students come away with a good understanding on the integral teachings of yoga, yoga lifestyle and how yoga works to maintain health and well being. Course cost is $150.  Call or email to register.

 Yoga Teachers Training
Interested in Yoga Teachers Training?  Please note that teachers training will commence again this year
( dates to be confirmed) during this first quarter.  If you are interested please call or email  for more details.

Healthcare.....again!!!

So happy to hear about the raved-up discussions on health care.  It's good to hear that finally folks are waking up to the concern about health care in Bermuda.

I am particularly interested in the serendipitous realization by those in "power",  that getting older is just a number ( in many regards) and therefore older citizens can stay healthy and lead a productive life, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and be engaged in meaningful work (not just nettle point!) until the day they expire!!  So hats off to the Minister of Health who is coming around to the idea that those who lead a healthy lifestyle deserve a break in health care.  See more on this on my new website soon to be launched called Ounce, which will focus solely on preventive health care.

In the meantime there is always yoga!!  See new upcoming courses and programs coming up in January 2012.

Martin, Gandhi and Occupy Wall Street

At this time of the dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington and the reminder of this great soul who graced the earth and left such a huge imprint on so many of us, I am also reminded of one who inspired him and current day protesters who have in turn ( perhaps) been inspired by both of them.  And, I ask myself the question...what does Martin, Gandhi and Occupy Wall Street have in common?

One may ask, why include Occupy Wall Street? At least if you are Cain, or able-bodied and have a job or money or both and believe in boot-strap boot camp, then I hear you, that is, that those folks down there on Wall Street are disorganized ( don't have a 1-2-3 point message - according to CNN talking heads); therefore they cannot hold a flicker of light to MLK or Gandhiji and therefore should not be included in the same breath! But here's the deal, at least what comes to mind for me, on this most momentous day.

When Gandhiji fought for India's Independence and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commenced marches for the Civil Rights Movement, no one took them seriously either.  The British never dreamed that they would be defeated by non-violent protesters, and in the U.S., who would have thought the non-violent thrust of the Civil Rights movement would change the face of racism in America for ever! But such is the impact of satyagraha as was practiced by Gandhi in the early 1900s and later by Dr. King in the 60s with the Civil Rights movement. Occupy Wall Street is another satyagraha movement.

Satyagraha is a sanskrit word which according to wikipedia means (loosely) "soul force" or "truth force", or "non-violent resistance" " or "civil resistance".  The term coined by Gandhi comes from the sanskrit word "satya " meaning "truth" and "Agraha" meaning "insistence" or "holding firmly to", says wikipedia. Unlike "passive resistance" satyagraha is an active approach to non-violence in the face aggression or other negative behavior .  In satyagraha practice, the victim actually practices the yamas (abstinences) of satya and ahimsa ( non-injury) , precepts of the ethical social discipline teachings of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, toward his or her opponent . Satyagraha is a weapon of the 'strong' and unlike passive resistance, it holds to the truth of its principals.

In the article "Remaining Human: A Buddhist Perspective on Occupy Wall Street http://www.theelephantjournal.com/ ", Michael Stone says,


"This movement is also showing the power of non-violence.  Non-violence a core precept in my own Buddhist practice, is not an ideology. It's the power of facing what's actually going on in each and every moment and responding as skillfully as possible." 

In the Raja Yoga practice of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ( as practiced by Gandhiji)  the practice of satya and ahimsa and upholding these virtues ( even slightly!) are no easy task.  When I speak to students about practicing ahimsa toward the door, and not slamming it, or satya toward any form of truth we wish to cover up, we begin to see the depth of these teachings  and when practiced as a group ( like a meditation)  how powerful they can be! Christian pundit, Thomas Merton, author of "Seven Story Mountain" , like Dr. Martin Luther King, reiterates this in the social justice teachings of Christianity and  the Bible which again emphasises  non-violence not unlike  those teachings of other major religions.  In "The Non-violent Alternative", Merton says,

 "The Christian is one whose life has sprung from a particular spiritual seed: the blood of the martyrs who, without offering forcible resistance, laid down their lives rather than submit to unjust laws.."

Michael Stone, in " Remaining Human: A Buddhist Perspective on Occupying Wall Street", says:

 " The people of Occupy Wall Street and now Occupy San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Copenhagen and 70 other cities...are trying ..to take over a space that's been wrestled from the people, and also hold to a new way of living". 


On the Rock here in Bermuda,  we are also feeling the ache of  space that has been wrestled from us and it is this rumbling that is beginning to shake us at our core in a way that we have never experienced before.

Bermudians are now seeing 8% joblessness of Bermudians,  in a country that once bragged about zero unemployment. Today young people come back to Bermuda with degrees earned on the maxed-out mortgages of their parents, only to learn that the "foot in the door"  is no longer a reality except in instances of perhaps nepotism. Those over 50 are seen as too old for hire, even with a Masters degree ( despite the fact that these folks represent the second largest segment of our society) ; and, as one frustrated graduate- degree over 50 unemployed woman said,

" the HR person doesn't call you back, doesn't acknowledge your application and gives no response for why you were not considered for the job, even if you are fully qualified! And then you meet someone at church, newly arrived to Bermuda who says they were one of 11 new non-Bermudian hirees at their company. "

Then there is the cost of health care, those who dare to get sick and those who are made to pay for it.  As a result of these and many more issues here on this steaming rock as old as its sister the U.S. of A., the air in the space that we inhabit is becoming stifled; and, corporate greed, economic inequality, and government lack of support for the poor and disadvantaged, is not to be discounted. If all continues, it is just a matter of time when Rise Up Bermuda, takes on a whole different flavor!!

In the end, the truths resonating with Occupy Wall Street, are intrinsic and truths that all of us get and feel deep in our bones. And like Occupy Wall Street, the Civil Rights Movement or the overthrow of the British in India,  satyagraha has that capacity to touch us at our tender most spots and cause to rise a shrill and an action to move mountains and change societies for good. Gandhi knew that, as did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Occupy Wall Street, if it remains true to form, will realize this also.

                                        Yoga On The Rock

                                                                   FAQs

1.      Is Yoga An Exercise?

No, yoga is not an exercise.  In fact, the “stretches” practiced in yoga are not even called exercises.  They are called poses or postures, or the correct Sanskrit name is “asanas”.  Asana, according to the yoga sutras (yoga philosophical text) means “steady comfortable posture”.  The postures should always be comfortable and practiced without strain; and, this “sthira” (firmness steadiness, alertness) and “sukha” (comfort, ease) should always be maintained in unison during practice. Hence yoga does not “expand” energy as such, like when exercising, but rather allows the practitioner to “gather” energy from practice, which stays with them long after the class is done.

2.      What is the difference between hatha yoga, asthanga yoga, vinyasa flow yoga or yin yoga etc., are they similar?

Actually, they are all the same, in that they are all ‘hatha yoga” practices.  Much of the yoga we see practiced in the gym or the yoga studios or with private teachers is hatha yoga, which is the physical aspect of yoga.  So asthanga, vinyasa flow, yin yoga and even power yoga are all hatha yoga practices.  “Ha” means “sun” and “tha” means “moon” , hence in hatha yoga the sun and moon energies within the body are brought into balance. All the different ways of practicing hatha yoga strives to create this condition within the body and mind.  How they differ is the way they approach this practice.  Vinyasa flow is usually practiced in a quick continuous flow moving from one pose to another in rapid fashion, while yin yoga is practiced deliberately slowly where focus on one pose could last as long as 5 minutes. The style of each way of practicing depends on individual tastes; asthanga yoga really puts much emphasis on alignment while the integral yoga approach emphasizes the meditative aspects of practicing hatha yoga.  While there are indeed different types of yoga, for example, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, jnana yoga etc. these aspects of yoga are not hatha (physical) yoga practice.  The physical yoga practice is all hatha yoga.

3.      Many people say they like to practice yoga for stretching but they do other exercises for strengthening the body or for a cardio vascular workout.  Is that true that yoga is only for stretching?

No, that is not true.  Yoga in our western society is so misunderstood, although we are learning.  While I say we should continue to do our workout at the gym, swim, walk or run if we enjoy that along with our hatha yoga ( in fact, hatha yoga will enhance physical activity); however, if we wish to just focus on hatha yoga we can get a full workout from our yoga practice.  In fact many people who practice serious hatha yoga only do that and maintain strong healthy bodies.  I always tell students in yoga you learn to lift your own body weight.  When you consider a headstand and/or arm balances, that is clearly what one has to do.  These poses require great strength in order to perfect them, and this strength does not come from lifting weights, but from slowly building up the ability to lift one’s own body weight through consistent yoga practice.  Also a vinyasa flow approach to yoga provides a great cardio workout, as do standing poses that are great strengtheners for the body and a stimulant for the heart muscle.  As one whose main workout is practicing yoga, I always tell students, at the end of the day, when we reach three score and then some, the three best practices to do to keep the body fit is walking, swimming and yoga. That’s it!

4.      Does yoga help you lose weight???

Now everyone wants to know the answer to this question although often people are afraid to ask.  I always tell people “yes” and “no”, which sometimes will turn some off, especially when they are looking for a quick fix.  But what I do encourage people to do is to look at the whole picture, and in this regard yes, yoga is great to help work on weight loss and maintenance.  Of course we do know the only real way to lose weight is to stop eating the junk and/or overeating. But what yoga does is help us get rid of the stress which is the greatest impetus for curtailing overeating and making poor choices in diet, in the first place.

 Yoga works directly on the mind (our biggest culprit when it comes to overeating) and on all the systems of the body, for instance, the endocrine system, thus stimulating the thyroid and parathyroid glands.  It works on our digestive system through twisting poses, hence our digestive system improves tremendously.  It works on circulatory, elimination, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and nervous system etc. and has an overwhelming effect on how we manage and maintain a healthy stress level.  Hence indirectly in this way, through practicing regular hatha yoga, the pounds melt away.

5.      Can yoga help with health issues?

Because many of our modern day health issues come from stress, yoga is an excellent way to help improve body/mind health and wellness.  The diseases of our modern world (unlike many diseases in countries like Africa and India), are non-communicable diseases, that are not caught from contagions, but are life-style diseases caused by how we live and manage stress in our lives. Cardiologist Dr. Dean Ornish has designed an award winning practice using yoga, diet and meditation to reverse heart disease in patients with CHD. Yoga is also widely known to be effective in auto-immune health and wellness and those suffering from auto-immune diseases, for example fibromyalgia, arthritis, sarcoidosis etcetera; or, respiratory diseases like asthma or digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome. These and many other health issues are greatly benefitted if not cured, by practicing hatha yoga.

6.      Do I need a teacher to practice yoga?

No, many people begin or are inspired to practice yoga through practicing with a book or video.  However if one is serious about the practice of yoga and/ or is inspired by being in a group, then a yoga centre or working with a teacher is best for you; this is particularly important if one wishes to work with yoga to help improve health and/ or correct structural problems with the body, as these require expert advice and guidance to safeguard the student.

7.      Is yoga a religion?

No, but yoga can benefit body, mind and spirit.  Hence those who practice the “spiritual” aspects of yoga – raja yoga, jnana yoga, bhakti yoga – these practices are designed to assist the student’s mind for higher development and self- awareness. Hence it can benefit any religious practice, but remains neutral more like software for any religious practice one may subscribe to. However, this is not accomplished through the practice of hatha yoga practiced in most yoga studios as this practice

 ( hatha yoga) mainly works on the physical body.

Joanne Wohlmuth, Director –E-RYT-500

Yoga On The Rock  :    http://yogameds.blogspot.com/  twitter.com/#!/yogaontherock

Fall 2011 Course Programs

Pranayama and The Energy Body              New!!

Commencing Tuesday, September 13th      7:30-9:00pm

This Course will provide students with a clear and informed understanding about "prana" and the energy body that threads through all yoga practice.  A formal sitting of pranayama (breathwork) each week is also an integral component of this course.
A 6-week course                                                  $140

How To Deepen Your Meditation

Commencing Thursday, September 15th         7:30-9:00pm

This course is for beginners and regular practitioners who wish to learn or relearn the "how to" of meditation practice and become inspired to develop regularity and, experience a deeper richness in your practice.
An 8-week course                                              $160

Wellness Over 50

Commencing Saturday, September 17th     11:30am-1:30pm

This course provides an holistic approach to wellness to help manage stress and improve lifestyle choices and daily living.  It incorporates body, mind and spirit, thus providing students with practical applications for daily yoga practice, mindfulness practice, health and diet and the management of relationships and conflict in the context of spirituality and/or purposeful living.      
An 8-week course                                              $175

All classes taught by certified yoga instructor E-RYT 500

Leave a comment or email jewohlmuth@logic.bm or call   (441) 295-7525 if you wish to register for any of these courses.

All Classes held at The Yoga Centre on Victoria Street in Hamilton, across from City Hall Car Park.

New Course Dates

Certified Teachers Training Program. Those interested in joining this 5 module (200 hour) Yoga Alliance Certified Training program, please contact us via email or call while we are still are accepting new students.  This offer ends  August 2011.

Deepening Your Meditation Course ( Level I)
This meditation course which commenced Thursday, May 26th, is an 8 week course for beginners or regular practitioners who have fallen away from practice. The course provides in-depth information about the practice of meditation with ample time for discussion and questions. Regular meditation sittings are also an integral part of this class. Cost price $150. New comers are currently still accepted .