The Center for Religion and Spirituality invites you to this online Yoga, Mindfulness and Social Change workshop with scholar Jenny Mace.

This workshop will offer an immersive consideration of our (humans’) modern relationship with other nonhuman animals. We will deep dive into some of the animal elements in yoga, both philosophically and practically. This is a non-prescriptive workshop; the intention is to offer a safe and guided space to encourage a discerning intellect on this broad topic, and for you to gain a more refined awareness of your own thoughts and feelings on this topic and in respect to your own relationship with other nonhuman animals. In particular, we shall highlight a common dilemma and polarized discussion point for yogis and yoginis: veganism. After a contemplative arrival and introductions, I will invite you to co-create some of the theoretical content with me in the first hour. There will then be ample opportunity for respectful, open, yet guided discussion, both as a whole and in smaller groups. The invitation is to challenge each other and ourselves to probe more fully and discerningly into our psyches and hearts. We will finish with a short and simple physical yoga practice – some dedicated time to explore your own expression of one animal-named posture.

To Attend
Registration is open online (click Buy Tickets button). This is a virtual workshop; times listed are Pacific time. On the Friday before the workshop, registered participants will receive an invitation to connect via live videoconference using Zoom. Read here on how to connect.

In the event the workshop is canceled, participants will be notified by Wednesday, the week of the workshop. Registration fees are refunded only if the workshop is canceled; no refund for partial attendance or no-show. For further information, please email the Center at yoga@lmu.edu.

About the Speaker
Jenny Mace, M.Sc. is an associate lecturer with the Centre for Animal Welfare at the University of Winchester, UK. Over the last two years, she has co-authored two papers concerning a survey of UK yoga teachers about yoga and consuming animals. As a (mostly former) yoga teacher, she setup the charitable Animalia Asana initiative, through which she has held five specialization trainings for other yoga teachers regarding the animal element in yoga. The initiative acts now primarily as an information platform for anyone wishing to independently delve into the animal element in yoga. On request, classes, workshops, and trainings are offered, with any funds raised going to animal charity. At her home, as a kind of microsanctuary, she cares for seven ex-commercial hens, two adopted cats, and one Romanian rescue dog.