Yoga Potluck Shared Space Guidelines

My hope has always been that our Yoga Potluck shared spaces — live sessions, forums, and What’sApp — feel like places of refuge rooted in the teachings and practices of Yoga. Not an escape from reality, but a place where you can take a deep breath, feel what you feel, and know it won’t be amplified or criticized.

Some of us have nowhere to go that the daily news doesn’t penetrate. I want Yoga Potluck spaces to be somewhere we can hold space for each other’s feelings and explore Yogic practices to work with those feelings — without adding more noise or pressure.

In that spirit:

- Please avoid giving unsolicited advice, making sweeping proclamations, broadcasting news we’re already seeing everywhere, or using language that could be disturbing (for example: graphic descriptions, inflammatory political commentary, or derogatory terms about any group).

- No questioning or challenging each other in a way that puts someone on the defensive, and no pushing of agendas.

- Remember that we all have different thresholds, capacities, identities, and life experiences — and not everyone feels or processes things the same way.

Here’s what these shared spaces are for:

- Sharing from your own lived experience using “I” statements.

- Offering empathy and support without trying to fix.

- Expressing acknowledgement or gratitude for others’ shares and contributions.

If something feels like it’s moving into more personal or specific territory, I encourage you to use the What’sApp “Reply Privately” feature. Before taking a conversation private, make sure the other person is open to it — and you can also invite someone to message you privately if you’d like to connect one-on-one.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you can step away, mute notifications, or reach out to me privately. While there’s no such thing as a completely safe common space (and I can’t monitor 24/7), we can all do our best to co-create a community where people feel seen and respected.

Thanks, Potluck Fam.
❤️ Gina