Aloha from the big island of Hawaii, where on a morning stroll yesterday, we discovered a “makala,” a protective structure that separates a fish pond from the ocean. It works like a sluice or a floodgate, maintaining a healthy balance between the smaller fish in their pond and the larger, predatory ones in the ocean, as shared water flows back and forth.

We’ve known for a long time that we live in a fragile social ecosystem, often confusing which gates to open wider and which ones to keep shut. The pandemic and social upheaval of 2020 pushed this fragile balance into sharp relief. As yoga practitioners, our call hinges on keen discernment of actions that will serve the cause of connection for the most while causing harm to the fewest.

For the last 15 months, we have been continuously adjusting our pandemic “makalas” as COVID-19 rides the air currents above our troubled waters. Initially, careful quarantine was the protective barrier. Then, masks became our most effective sluice gates.

Now, as the pandemic begins to ease and we we broaden our social ponds, discernment will mean continual calibration of our makalas so that our shared waterways reflect ripples of patience, kindness, compassion, and most of all, healthy and safe interaction.

The science is clear, and public health policy is evolving to reflect it: vaccine is safe and effective, and will be the standard-bearing makala for protection from death or serious illness from this virus – it's our best shot at going forward, together, in peace.

~ Annie & Amir