Mónica Félix, Fundraises for Puerto Rico’s Educamos Donde Sea

Last week, Yoga Tribe Brooklyn instructor (and official studio photographer) Mónica Félix taught a class to raise money for Educamos Donde Sea, a non-profit in Puerto Rico enabling kids whose schools have been destroyed by the earthquakes and tremors to continue their education by setting up classes and resources in open spaces.

We came together to stretch, sweat, and move to some music. The event has been very successful raising over a $1000 so far, and our fundraiser will be extended until Sunday March 1st if you still want to donate.

Mónica shared some reflections for this event:

What inspired you to host this donation class?

On January of this year, I was in Puerto Rico visiting my parents for the holidays. I was born and raised there, so I travel to see my family as often as possible, especially when it is cold in New York. This time was particularly different, as we experienced a series of earthquakes and tremors that continue affecting the island since December, particularly the southwest area. The only true and immediate help to aid this new crisis has been the civilian movements organized in response to the situation inside the island and outside as well. The people of Puerto Rico have come through for the people of Puerto Rico, so knowing this is what continues to inspire me.

How did this particular donation class differ from the usual series? Why did you modify it?

I decide to think of the 26+2 hot yoga series as the main structure on which to build on with other postures that address similar benefits and movements in the body. To be honest, I’ve been really wanting to try this since last year! In August of 2019 I did a 200 hour Hatha Vinyasa Teacher Training in Barcelona (or “Formación” as they call it) and ever since I have been thinking about it. The 26+2 hot yoga series is wonderfully healing, and it is because of this that I am inspired to want to move differently and challenge what I have practiced for so long. This time I was greatly inspired by the very foundation we were fundraising for.

During class you challenged students to get out of their comfort zone with postures, interrupting their structure, just like citizens in Puerto experienced with the earthquake. Talk about that.

The donation class was held for a Non-Profit Foundation in Ponce, Puerto Rico called #Educamosdondesea that translates to #WeEducateWherever. One of their main goals is to provide education for elementary school children who are currently without proper and safe schools to attend. They gather students in open spaces and provide the learning that they should have.

Puerto Rico’s #Educamosdondesea, translates to #WeEducateWherever

I am very moved by their effort and vision, and was inspired to embrace that notion for the creation of a special donation class. The 26+2 hot yoga series is a structure that can also be dismounted, expanded and rebuilt in a new way to provide true benefits; one of them being the detachment from what is known. Great development and determination of character comes with confidence in trying new things, especially in community!

How do you incorporate your heritage and culture from Puerto Rico into your yoga? Language? Music?

Every single teacher has their own flavor, and mine is straight up Latin Caribbean, because that’s just how I navigate the world. I memorized a dialogue in training that sometimes I think of in Spanish words, that becomes a new layer in class that seems natural to me and also seems like a fun thing for practitioners to experience. I see this dialogue as a song and sometimes that song can have words or sounds that have different reactions in the body. Even intonation of a word might click in the brain differently and might achieve a new result even if the student is not fluid in Spanish. I also bring my personality in my music, which might vary too. Sometimes it’s more lo-fi, sometimes more drums, but the soundscape is always trying to mirror the heart beats and how it might be affected as we move through the asanas.

You’ve done this community charity the past with hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. Do you think it’s important to use yoga teaching as a platform for service beyond the studio?

Yes! I did a fundraiser for Puerto Rico when Hurricane María happened in 2017. Back then I was the studio photographer and still wasn’t a teacher. I do believe that having a space to spread awareness about important issues is key and necessary, especially because we are always in the search of harmony within ourselves and the world.

Yoga Tribe Brooklyn is a very special community, it is caring and generous. I am very grateful and lucky that Roody and Jessica Senecal have allowed and encouraged their teachers to organize for what they believe on; it is a rounded process that comes back in abundance.

Anything else to add?
I want to thank the Yoga Tribe Brooklyn family for being so amazing. Every weekend I look forward to being there and hanging out. This event was only a true success because of who we are as a community!

Gracias Mónica!

P.S. Our fundraiser will be extended until Sunday March 1st if you still want to donate. Make sure to check out Educamos Donde Sea, the non-profit in Puerto Rico enabling kids whose schools have been destroyed by the earthquakes and tremors. Help them continue their education to set up classes and resources in open spaces.