Restorative Classes are Back!

👋 Hey, you made it!

Hey friend, Welcome to Letters from the Fringe…ish—a weekly-ish space where we talk about yoga, body liberation, boundaries, rest, rage, and maybe why the wellness industry is full of nonsense.

I’m Shannon (they/them), a fat, disabled, queer sociologist and yoga teacher who thinks accessible movement and radical rest are political acts.

This space is for folks who’ve been told they don’t “fit” in yoga or anywhere, really. Here, we stretch, breathe, swear, and refuse to shrink. I’m so glad you’re here.

On the Mat: Discomfort ≠ Danger

Here’s a wild thing that science backs up: your brain processes emotional pain and physical pain in almost the exact same way. Breakups and broken bones? Your brain’s like “same thing.” So it makes total sense that emotional discomfort—like feeling self-conscious, insecure, or not-good-enough—can set off the same alarm bells as actual physical danger.

Now bring that into yoga. Maybe you’re in a pose and it doesn’t hurt exactly, but something about it makes you feel exposed. Or awkward. Or like you’re being watched, judged, or failing. Your brain might interpret that as: “ABORT MISSION.”

But here’s the nuance:
Discomfort doesn’t always mean you’re in danger.
And safety doesn’t always mean you’re comfortable.

Yoga, when it’s not a performative show of flexibility, gives us a chance to practice sorting through those signals.
Can I stay here and breathe when this pose makes me self-conscious?
Can I leave when I feel overwhelmed or unsafe?
Can I tell the difference?

This is the work.
Not forcing yourself into hard things. Not avoiding every challenge either. Just building the capacity to notice, choose, and trust yourself.

Your mat becomes the sandbox—a place to practice feeling things in your body, honoring your cues, and maybe even rewriting the script your brain got from a lifetime of being told you were too much, too different, too broken.

I promise you, you’re not.

🔍 Macro Lens: Your Body Is Not the Problem

Let’s talk about doxa.
French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu used this term to describe the deep-seated, taken-for-granted beliefs that shape how we see the world—and how we see ourselves. These aren't just personal opinions. They're what he called social facts: beliefs that feel so normal, so obvious, so “just the way things are,” that we stop questioning them. But here’s the catch: these "facts" aren’t actually facts. They’re cultural defaults dressed up as truth.

In yoga and wellness spaces (and, you know, life), our doxa tells us:

• Thin = healthy.

• Flexible = good at yoga.

• Rest = laziness.

• Productivity = worth.

• Bodies must be controlled, fixed, or improved.

These aren’t just bad takes. They’re the internalized logic of fatphobia, ableism, white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism—operating through our beliefs, choices, and institutions.

If you've ever looked in the mirror or moved through a yoga class and thought, “My body is the problem,” that’s doxa talking. Not truth.

Now, Bourdieu (and his BFF in reflexivity, Loïc Wacquant) also said we can’t just study this stuff “out there.” We have to turn the lens inward. This is self-reflexivity: asking what have I internalized? What do I accept without questioning? What parts of the system live in me?

This isn’t about shame—it’s about liberation.
Because once we start seeing those assumptions for what they are—assumptions—we can begin to rewrite the script.

So next time you find yourself judging your body or your practice, pause and ask: “Whose voice is that? Who benefits from me believing it?”

Because it probably isn’t you.

💸 Why Free Yoga? Why Ads? Why Patreon?

In a better world, we’d all have access to everything we need: housing, healthcare, rest, community care, and yes—even yoga. No one would have to stress about compensation or trade survival for stillness. But we’re not in that world yet. (Shoutout to capitalism for that.)

Since my teaching centers fat, disabled, queer, neurodivergent folks—people who are often priced out, pushed out, or simply ignored—I want to offer what I can for free. a

That said: I still have bills.
So here’s how I’m navigating it:

• My classes are free on YouTube.

• I’m monetizing through ads (so the platform pays me, not you).

• I have a Patreon starting at $3/month for folks who want to support this work directly.

If you believe in what I’m building, here are some ways you can help me keep going:
👉 Help me monetize: When you need some background noise, The Everything Playlist can keep you company. Watch hours help, and it is free to you!
👉 Join the Patreon

This Week’s Practice

🎥 60-minute Accessible Restorative Yoga Practice LIVESTREAM
🗓️ April 6, 2025, 9 PM Eastern
📍 LiveStream on YouTube
Suggested props: 2 large pillows or 1 bolster/couch cushion; 2 small pillows or 2 blocks; 2 blankets/towels

Whether you're joining from bed or the floor, you are so welcome here. Come as you are, skip what doesn’t feel good, and know that rest is always an option.

💥 Rest / Rage / Repeat

This week’s rest prompt:
Take some time today to engage in a practice that centers your body and breath. It can be a few minutes of mindful breathing or a bit of gentle or intuitive stretching—anything that feels accessible today.
🌀 Need a little support? Try this 30-minute Soothing Yin Practice on YouTube.

This week’s rage:
In the United States, there has been a sharp increase in anti-trans legislation. As of March 2025, 42 anti-trans bills have passed across 18 states, many of them targeting trans youth by restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare and participation in sports. These laws don’t protect anyone—they actively harm some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
📊 Source: Trans Legislation Tracker

📢 We can rage, we can protest, and we can push for change. Here are some action items:
Learn how to testify locally for trans rights
Whether it's your school board, city council, or state legislature—your voice matters. Testifying locally is one of the most powerful ways to show up for trans folks, especially trans youth.
🤝 Donate & Volunteer:
ACLU – Legal advocacy and support for trans rights
A4TE Advocates for Trans Equality – Legal resources & policy and advocacy at the national level
✍️ And as always, find and contact your legislators: Let them know you oppose anti-trans legislation and demand better.
Contact your elected officials

This week’s reminder:
Your rage is valid. As Mariame Kaba said: "Let this radicalize you rather than lead to despair.”

📬 You made it to the bottom!

Thanks for being here. This newsletter is a labor of love, a living practice, and a little piece of rebellion. I’m so glad you’re in it with me.

In care and collective liberation,
Shannon