FCYKC is BACK in the studio!

I’m thrilled to be opening FCYKC’s doors again! I’m over here doing a little happy dance to be back in the studio.  These last few months have been trying on so many levels.  I hope everyone is staying healthy.  I hope we are all asking tough questions during this uprising and movement towards equality, I certainly have- read on to learn more.  FCYKC unequivocally stands with the Black community against police violence and continued systemic racial injustice.  We stand in solidarity of Black Lives Matter.

Starting Wednesday, June 17^th the studio will re-open and I’m so excited to see you in person! We will continue to zoom each class so we can meet everyone’s comfort levels.  If the weather is too perfect to be inside, we will have classes at Gillham Park on the far south side of the park.

Having classes outside has been a great way to see each other while social distancing in the fresh outside air.  Because I have had such great feedback in having classes outside we will continue this on the first Saturday of each month as long as the summer heat isn’t too hot.

**Mama and Movers will remain zoom.  Stay tuned for in-studio date for this class.

Here’s what FCYKC is doing:

• Mats and blocks will be cleaned with CDC approved cleaner.
• Blankets and bolsters will not be used for the time being, unless blankets are needed for knee protection in which case they will be washed after use.
• Mats will be placed in the spaces designated by tape.
• Masks will be worn while teaching.
• Door handles and other frequently touched areas will be cleaned with CDC approved cleaner
• Restrooms will be cleaned with CDC approved cleaner before each class.

Here’s what we ask of you:

• Please keep a 6-foot social distance when at the studio, including the placement of car seats.
• There is a new hand sanitizer at the bottom of the steps- please use when entering and exiting, or wash hands in the restrooms across from the studio before and after.
• Please bring a mat if you have one.
• If you are not feeling well, please stay home and join us on zoom.
• If you have had contact with someone with COVID please remain home for two weeks and join us on zoom.
• Bring your own water bottle.
• Mask wearing is encouraged.
• Bring a towel to cover bolster if bolster is needed for comfort/safety.

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In November 2018, Full Circle Yoga KC moved from a predominantly affluent white area of the community to its beloved larger location on Troost. When I took out a lease on the new studio, I began immediate visions of how we could evolve into a vibrantly diverse studio community on the city’s symbolic dividing line, supporting mothers and building up families, creating a space where families seek joy and community alongside the newest generation.

It was necessary from a financial standpoint to carry a small staff (now larger than just myself) until the business gained its footing, but this meant I was missing the most important component to the equation for representation: a teacher from the community of Troost herself.  It’s long been on my heart to include a person of color on our teaching staff.  I’ll admit that I did not keep my search a continued priority with focus given to maintain day-to-day operations. When it became fully within the studio’s financial means to add another teacher this spring, a person I determined must be one of who represents the voices and experiences my present staff don’t, COVID closures occured.

Still, I was wrong in the waiting. We are a community who serves primarily mothers and families, and even with caring teachers, we cannot claim to do that unless a variety of voices of the community are represented in that space. As many of you know, Black women are disproportionately impacted by perinatal inequalities- Black women are at higher risk for premature birth, maternal and infant mortality, cesareans and unnecessary birth interventions . Places like Uzazi Village, just up the street from FCYKC are doing powerful things to fight these statistics. In our efforts to provide added prenatal, postpartum, and family-centered yoga, we want our families who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to have community. But to adequately support, that community must be one in which they have the ability to see themselves.

I am committed to remedying this missing voice in our circle, and I don’t state it lightly. We are at a time when studios, my own included, are struggling as we come off the pause of COVID-19 closures. But I cannot close my eyes any further to the void. Our studio staff wants to be representative of the mothers, parents, and children who step on the mat with us. We are also willing to expand our offerings. Therefore, I humbly wish to extend an invitation to any teacher who is Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color in this community—be they female, male, non-binary, or trans—who feel connected to the idea of building family-centered yoga to please email me at fullcircleyogakc@gmail.com. I would be honored to talk with you. We also support mentoring a present 200-hour YYT student or student of prenatal yoga.

As a white woman who understands she’s lived a life with certain inherent racial privileges, I know it is a borrowed gift to share yoga with others. Therefore, it is an even more important duty to see that the voices most needing to be heard on the mat have a venue to share their practice.

Thank you SO much for being a part of this community.  I appreciate each and every one of you!

I’d like to give a special thanks to Deana Bindel who also teaches at the studio in helping me craft my thoughts into eloquently written words.

Love and Light,

Jenny

Full Circle Yoga KC is a Kansas City yoga studio that specializes in embracing the full cycle of life.   Classes include Prenatal Yoga and Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) Yoga for those entering the beautiful journey of pregnancy and the transition into motherhood.  Full Circle Yoga KC also offers several other Family-Centered Classes.