The astounding and humiliating lack of collaboration and cooperation in our nation’s capitol is in full bloom –– and in your face –– as it has been for the last few years. It’s possible that the death of Justice Scalia isn’t the last situation that puts antagonism and a deliberate lack of collaboration and cooperation front and center.
We won’t dive into the murky waters of the current presidential campaigning, except to suggest that folks may want to Google “Oswald Mosley.”
Back in the day, when I worked on a newspaper in London, a Sunday outing inevitably included Hyde Park to listen to people pontificating at Speakers’ Corner (more Googling if you wish).
Speakers’ Corner is located on the northeast edge of Hyde Park, near Marble Arch and Oxford Street. In 1872, an act of the British Parliament set aside this part of Hyde Park for public speaking.
Even now, in the 21st century, it’s not unusual to find crowds gathering at Speakers’ Corner on a Sunday morning to listen to enthusiasts expounding their views. I’m a venerable senior but still not old enough (honestly) to have seen or heard historic figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell at Speakers’ Corner, but they were seen there frequently, demonstrating the right to free speech.
Anyone can turn up unannounced at the corner to speak on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful. It’s not clear whether the police would consider the speech of one specific U.S. presidential candidate (yes, he’s Republican) lawful. And yes, there was discussion about denying this individual’s entry to the United Kingdom but upon consideration, it was decided that continuing the open entry policy was appropriate. No telling what would happen if that person decided to share his appalling xenophobic braggadocio at Speakers’ Corner.
Certainly, if that were to happen, part of any result would be that the UK media would have a field day as well as great fun (rather than cry, we joked our way through the Blitz, that horrific time of strategic bombing of the UK by Nazi Germany during WWII and yes, I am old enough to recall the Blitz). Perhaps if that presidential candidate did decide to visit the UK, the media there might even make a profit the way the U.S. media does in their exclusionary focus on the candidate’s rhetoric, which is loaded with dangerous comments, some of which border on pathetic and inane. Queen Elizabeth had her annus horribilis, here in the U.S., we’re having a plethora of anni horribilis.
And now, in true Speakers’ Corner fashion, after examining why we urgently need collaboration and cooperation, here is good news from the Pioneer Valley about one of the unique ways in which individuals and groups collaborate and cooperate for the well-being of all here in our part of New England: free yoga classes to help our physical and mental health.
Unlike the cost of the high salaries and excellent health care we taxpayers
must pay for our political representatives (whether they cooperate with each other or not), this collaborative offer is free.
Yes, truly! Free yoga classes –– whether you’re a beginner or have tried yoga, everyone is welcome. Come, relax your body and clear your mind with gentle yoga. Stretch the stress away. When? Monday evening, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. (except Monday holidays). Where? In Greenfield’s RECOVER Project’s wonderfully large room at 1 Osgood St. (mats, blankets, belts, everything you need for yoga are there; the creaky floor even makes soothing sounds as you enjoy the yoga). Why come to yoga? That’s an easy one to answer: because you will feel so much better, whether you have teeny twinges, active arthritis or a certified case of borderline blahs.
Remember, the true value and purpose of yoga might be explained by the neuroscience of how, with yoga, we can reprogram our brain and nervous system for optimal connection.
Among those who offer their wealth of experience and generosity of spirit teaching these classes (cooperation and collaboration) are: Bonnie Bloom, Deb Habib, Lisa Harvey and Joyce Landau. Substitute instructors are Kat Lee, Dori McCormack, and Libby Volckening. Each of these individuals have studied and practiced yoga intensively, often for decades.
Each also has a daytime job, several in true entrepreneurial fashion run their own businesses, yet they are willing to give of their time and expertise to help others. In fact, each practitioner believes that no matter your age or your body, you can find greater ease and joy through the practice of yoga.
Certainly, the hope is that the classes will help each of us to develop healthier movement patterns and reintegrate body, mind and spirit. Perhaps we ought to ask these wonderful instructors to go to D.C. and offer yoga to our politicians for a few weeks? It couldn’t hurt.
These free yoga classes (donations appreciated but not required) are co-sponsored by the Franklin Community Cooperative (Green Fields Market & McCuskers) and The RECOVER Project.
Hazel Dawkins lives in Greenfield.