Freedoms.

Recently, I taught a perinatal yoga class in which I entitled ‘Freedoms’. When I started writing this class it was inspired by the sunshine and warm weather and the light and easy feelings that come with them. I dreamed of this class in which mamas and mamas to be were able to move freely, with some guidance of course, and make the choices they wanted to have the experience they needed. And I even made a playlist that was bright and fun too.

It felt like it could bring light to the somewhat constant feelings of fear and lack of control in society. And then Texas. Texas passed the SB 8 bill prohibiting abortion of a pregnancy after a detectible heart beat, a time before many woman know they are pregnant. This bill is a direct contradiction to the well known Roe v Wade which protected a women’s liberty to choose to have an abortion prior to viability outside the womb. A heartbeat can be detectible as early as 6 weeks in some cases which is a time approximately 2 weeks after a missed period – assuming that the woman has periods, has a period that is extremely regular and doesn’t mistake spotting or other symptoms as a period. Additionally, it allows private (non-government) citizens to essentially be vigilantes and bring civil action against anyone involved in the abortion process and claim a reward, 10,000 dollars, from the defendant per abortion performed to be exact. There is no written exception for rape or incest but a statement for ‘medical emergency’ as deemed by a physician. There is no stipulation or mention of the paternal figure and their role in the contribution to the pregnancy other than the farther is liable for assistance in the support of the child if born – only 1 line. What a total blatant assault on women. ‘Freedoms’ as the title of the class seemed to take on a new meaning, especially in a class of women in their own reproductive journeys.

I think it is hard to articulate the despair that I feel for women, as individuals and as a larger community, in respect to the right to make decisions for their own bodies and minds. It is amazing that as a population, women seem to be always in the this position. The responsible party for all things in regards to reproduction. I’m just talking about in the basic sense here. Even in the most supportive of relationships, the child-bearing woman grows, births and in many cases nourishes the child. And women are the party often tasked with birth control (and all the side effects). It feels very one-sided anatomically. Would I change it or my experience? Not for anything. But at times, the weight of the world can really be felt.

I’m a person who imagined, conceived, incubated, birthed and nourished a child in a planned, stable and voluntary situation without significant complications – And it was hard. Like, really hard. It still is. Again, this is something that I so strongly desired and love with all my heart but the emotional and physical changes that my body have gone through are not insignificant. Aside from the obvious financial, time and energy requirements to raise a child (this could be a post of its own), the impact that a pregnancy and delivery has on a woman is not miniscule. Any woman who is going through or has gone through this process knows that. And any partner or friend or family members who are close to the situation who are paying attention, also know this. The blanket ruling that a woman cannot make a decision so personal and so impactful to two lives with her own free will is an abomination. They scenarios in relation to this situation are endless. And no one knows what that person has gone through or is going through aside from that woman. Forcing the continuation of a pregnancy upon someone against their will is not only cruel to the mother but also to the child. The concept of living just for the sake of being alive is one that must not be taken lightly. There is much to be said about quality of life and this is a factor of even mundane day to day living that most are constantly trying to improve. Many woman are incapable of caring for a child physically, mentally or financially. Equally, there are woman who are capable but significant health threats of chronic pain and suffering or incompatibility with life make that a reality not obtainable. I can only imagine that for many women, these decisions are the hardest they will ever make in their lives and I am more than willing to guarantee, gut wrenching decisions that stay with them forever.

My body, my choice. It’s become a slogan that has been applied to many situations, many of which are quite opposite in nature. Stating my body my choice in regards to wearing a mask over your face to protect yourself and others around you verses forcing someone into a physically and emotionally demanding medical situation (especially without any societal supports post delivery) just isn’t the same. It never will be. This slogan in regards to anti-mask wearing and anti-vaccination against COVID-19, or any public health crisis for that matter, is in the motivation of selfishness and privilege, and even more unfortunately it appears politics. It should be solely in the interest of humanity. If only the world was more focused on one another, humans, and the well being of not only themselves but those around them (in all different situations). The ability to step back and realize the differences and struggles that others experience is something that I don’t think can be undervalued. And it is something I strive to do more every day. Eliminating the judgement towards others (typically created by lack of understanding and differences) allows us to sympathize with one another and also feel as we are being less judged ourselves.

I suppose, I just don’t understand the happenings of the world anymore. There is so much violence and so much hate. It seems like a part of society feels that it is noble to be this way – the meaner and more verbally abusive you are the better. It’s absurd. And sometimes it brings me intense sadness that this may be the world my daughter grows up into; that is is only downhill and more grim from here. Why we seem unable to do all we can to help one another is shocking. Be kind, give to others when able, listen and sympathize with other’s stories, wear a mask, get the vaccines (all of them, for the adults and kids). Many terrible diseases have been eliminated and/or held at bay by vaccines and society has done their part in the past to help us so now it is our turn. It is not a right to endanger other people. It’s just not. It’s not a right to shoot people, drive without a seatbelt, to assault or injure someone, or to make them unsafe by not putting effort forth to help keep them healthy. It is a privilege, not a right, to do many things in our society (look at the many other cultures who have much less – we are oh so fortunate as a country). By making choices that inhibit others, you effectively take away their privilege and ability to live as they desire, a concept known very well by the minorities in this country.

As I continue to work on this post the 20th anniversary of 9/11 has come and gone. Yet another reminder of the horrors of the world but more importantly the amazing people who risked their lives for others and the unity that took place in the country after such a terrible event. The people who have fought for this country throughout the last numerous hundreds of years would be so disheartened to see the population tearing each other down and fighting, in some cases, strongly against the protections of one another.

In my class, but also in my life, I have been striving to consciously make the choices that feel right in my body and mind. Not only for myself but for others. To focus to be cognizant of those around me and how to make them feel most safe (not just physically but also so that all feel welcomed and accepted). It is something that will be ever changing and I desire to consistently improve – the ability to see others in their situations and learn from it to better my understanding and openness. Looking towards the life around us and the good and supportive news too – it is there, sometimes just harder to see.

The on-demand replay and all the information regarding this perinatal yoga class from September 5, 2021 is available at One Point One Yoga.

I want to hear from you mamas. Comment below with your thoughts and experiences.

Let’s talk soon,
Al

References:
“Texas Senate Bill 8”. LegiScan, legiscan.com/TX/text/SB8/id/2395961. Accessed 14 Sept 2021