Yesterday, a neighbor I'd never met was tending her vegetable garden and I praised her abundant yield. Minutes later, I walked home with a bagful of tomatoes, a new friend, and an important reminder — this is how we navigate the dark obstacles on our path and move toward brighter times: together, in service of one another.

In yogic philosophy, seekers of ease and a quiet mind are taught to be mindful of the common antarayas, a Sanskrit word for the hindrances, interruptions, and obstacles to a clear mind. They include apathy, doubt, confusion, unsteadiness – among others. And a particularly relevant antaraya is illness—i.e., Covid-19.

Though illness (and its remedies) is often treated as an individual experience, the pandemic's persistent interruption to our lives in 2021 is monumentally larger than any one person, and its shared collective burdens are significant. So while a satisfying meditation, an invigorating asana practice, or a simple walk in the woods can bring much needed relief, chaos will continue to swirl around us as variants break through, disinformation persists, and disruption of community life continues.

The good news is that there is much we can do to preserve our hearts, ground our minds in fact, lift our spirits, and find corners of kindness:

▪To those who are vaccine-hesitant, please source information from reputable medical professionals in the fields of epidemiology and immunology.

▪To those who feel isolated, please reach out to neighborhood groups, clergy, social services, or even fellow yoga students – you are not alone.

▪And to those with inner and material resources, please find ways to share your bounty.

~ Annie Moyer