As many of you know, starting on Nakba Day, I committed to running 107 kilometers in one month—the distance from Occupied East Jerusalem to Gaza—as part of a fundraising challenge for Medical Aid for Palestinians (
@medicalaidpal ). I was already deep in retreat prep, with long days ahead and much on my plate, and I wasn’t sure I’d manage. But somehow, I did. I finished the 107 kilometers in 14 days, while still in Morocco. I met my fundraising goal, too—thanks to so many of you who gave generously. It’s been deeply motivating to see your donations and messages come in - thank you.
There’s still time to donate if you haven’t yet and feel called. Even though I’ve technically completed the challenge, I’ll keep running—after a few days rest for my ankles—in hopes of raising more. The link to donate is in my bio.
The retreat in Morocco was shaped in no small way by this parallel experience—leading a group in deep practice while also moving through exhaustion, running through winding roads and unfamiliar terrain at sunrise, often alone (shout out to
@magsiemags_ , who joined and kept me company 2x). It was a different kind of retreat for me, one that asked more than usual, for personal reasons too, but gave more, too. It deepened my sense of what practice is for me: how it meets me in complexity, how it teaches me endurance, and how it can be an act of care for the wider world.
And thank you again—for those who’ve donated, and those who continue to show up in other various ways, using your voice, or protesting, or writing your MP’s or just having those sometimes difficult conversations —for remembering that our practice doesn’t end when we roll up the mat. The formal practice is merely prepping us for the informal practice - where our yogic principles are most needed, especially right now.
With love,
Mona
Started with a picture of me (thanks
@elineroex for taking it) to throw a rod in the algorithm! 🔨 We all know how it works! 🤦🏼♀️
