Wearing a face mask at yoga

On December 8, 1941, the United States entered into World War II following the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

A global war was falling on the heels of the Great Depression, and yet United States citizens mobilized in every way imaginable to ensure their democracy - and their lives - were saved.

Americans from all backgrounds entered the armed forces, some voluntarily and millions by the draft. They were given identical haircuts, endured rigorous physical training, and received little to no privacy nor space for personal possessions.

Civilians were urged to ration, reuse, and recycle. American families grew their own produce, ate leftovers, and canned food at home. If they didn’t have it, they went without it.

Women entered the workforce, filling defense jobs in the shipbuilding and aircraft industries. They were paid less than men for comparable jobs and expected to leave these industries as men returned home. 

I’ve always been fascinated when I read how during World War II so many parts of America sacrificed, contributed, and united to ensure that the way of life we value and hold dear remained intact. As if we knew the immediate sacrifice would protect our way of life - the kind of life we want our children and our parents to enjoy … together.

Sometimes I wonder what I would have done if I was alive during that time. I mean, I’d obviously have been a Rockford Peach and would have done my part to keep America’s Pastime going strong, but if that dream fell short, could I have grown my own food? Would I have worked in the factories? Would I have been brave enough to have joined the Red Cross or even the WASP’s?

While I’ll never be certain what I would have done then, one thing I know is what we’re being called to do now.

The pandemic through which we’re living differs from an explosive attack or a dictatorship; yet, it’s a threat against which we all can do something. 

And doing something is powerful!

You and me and our neighbors and our community leaders, we can all do something about this RIGHT NOW.

On Tuesday,Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued a new set of restrictions requiring that everyone within a yoga studio must wear a mask, regardless of social distancing. 

A mask.

As in a covering for your face so that germs don’t spread.

These virus germs, they’re the enemy. 

And when I think back to all that our fellow human beings have sacrificed and endured, I’m overcome and almost embarrassed that wearing a mask in yoga is all I’m being asked to do right now. 

Everytime you show up on your mat, you voluntarily put yourself in an uncomfortable situation because you know the end result will be long-lasting vitality and self-realization (or at least that’s the goal!). 

These masks - my take anyway - is that the end result of the temporary discomfort will be summer vacations with friends, birthday parties for the kids, visits to Grandma’s, healthy and supported nurses & doctors, and 50-person hot Pilates classes. 

The end result will be life.

Listen, you’re human if you groaned and grumbled when you heard the mask news. You might even be nervous thinking, “how am I going to exercise with a face covering?” It is a challenge after all, no doubt about it. 

But yet, I can’t help thinking that this is our challenge now. Our opportunity to rise to sacrifice for those who need our help against an invisible enemy. 

I have all the faith in the world that we will make it through this. And by “we” I do mean humanity. I believe that the lessons we learn now, the challenges we endure, the sacrifices we make, the patience we cultivate, and the empathy we practice will create a more compassionate, tolerant, and open-minded humanity. 

And existing within that kind of humanity is something I’m very much looking forward to.