I am a British Muslim born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but lived in the UK since I was 18. That was in 1992 and my country, then Yugoslavia, was going through the war. An ethnic cleansing. It went on until 1995, estimated 100 000 people were killed (the final number isn't yet known). All this because of belonging to certain ethnic group or having certain beliefs.
In one town only, Srebrenica, over 8372 Muslim men - fathers and sons -were killed. Many my family members, neighbours, friends. It was later declared as genocide.
Today, Bosnia is a peaceful society - but this society isn't without its faults. The same as UK. People are still being discriminated against because of their ethnic origin - and although the persecution isn't obvious, it may happen in the football grounds, or at work, or school.
In the UK and all over Europe, companies are signing up to different policies and procedures, even laws, but there is still evidence of racial discrimination and inequality amongst gender groups. In the US - we have racial uprising which is now spreading throughout the world. The society as whole is full of silent discrimination. When will it all end? When will the human kind learn that we are here on a journey, to respect everyone and everything and learn to live together in peace regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, body type, skin colour? We are all equal - and if we are not - we should be!
Yoga is about humanity, about unison of body and soul, about looking after and caring for one another. And yet in today's society, I feel I have to justify myself and my beliefs. I feel compelled to state what my business is and also pledge to do more - not just in my business but also to fight and stop this injustice.
As a business, Head and Heart Yoga have a zero tolerance approach to discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to racial, ethnic, religious, gender and disability. We are committed to acting with integrity in all our dealings, relationships, and supply chains. The same high standards are expected from all our current and future staff and suppliers.
As a yoga business, our motto has always been YOGA FOR ALL and ALL means people of all racial, ethnic, religious and gender backgrounds and sexual orientations as well as people of all abilities and disabilities. We take pride on being able to teach yoga to children and adults with special and additional needs. As with any other continued professional development, CPD hours on Special Yoga also include ensuring that the teacher(s) are up-to-date with their knowledge and training on education and mental health for children and adults with special needs.
At the same time, we recognise that we are not equally represented - so we are taking a pledge to play our part in making a change in the yoga industry - ensuring that yoga truly is for EVERYONE - for all human kind regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender orientation and ability. Through sharing knowledge, fostering connection and ensuring that diversity, equality and inclusivity become the foundations on which yoga practitioners and teachers work and serve.
Unless human kind learn to accept one another and start believing in equality rather than supremacy, the history will be repeating itself.
Peace, love, light, and health to you all!
Namaste!