The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump has exposed a troubling level of division and animosity within our country. On July 13, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop during Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. While a bullet grazed Trump's ear, one attendee tragically lost their life, and two others were seriously injured before Crooks was fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
The aftermath of this violent event has revealed a disturbing trend, especially within the yoga community, where peace and compassion should prevail. Linda Peterson, owner of Luna Sheen Yoga in Port Charlotte, made shockingly insensitive comments on Facebook following the attack. She posted: "Damn it, he didn't die. Well, at least one supporter did. I'll take what I can get. My heart goes out to the family of the shooter. Know that he died doing what needed to be done. Hopefully, someone will accomplish the task before we vote."
Such statements are not only shocking but completely antithetical to the core values of yoga. Yoga is fundamentally about peace, love, unity, and compassion. It is deeply disheartening to see someone who is supposed to embody these principles expressing such malice. As a yoga teacher, yogi, and yoga retreat owner, I feel compelled to speak out against this behavior. True yoga values do not condone violence or wish harm upon others, regardless of political differences.
According to the local newspaper, Shore News Network, Peterson further provoked outrage by stating, "To all who hate me and are commenting in Messenger, I haven't even looked at this page in a good long while. So your comments aren't hurting me or my business any." Shortly after, she deleted all her social media accounts, but the damage was done.
The consequences of her actions have been far-reaching. Luna Sheen Yoga's social media accounts and website have been taken offline. Newsweek attempted to contact the business, but there was no response. Unfortunately, several other yoga studios have been mistakenly associated with Peterson's remarks, leading to online abuse and doxing, with users sharing their addresses and phone numbers. This misguided backlash has unfairly targeted innocent businesses, further highlighting the destructive power of hate and misinformation.
The Yelp page for Peterson's business remains active and has been inundated with one-star reviews. One user wrote, "The owner is a horrible human being. Regardless of your political beliefs, this world has no room for this kind of evil!" Another commented, "As a yoga practitioner, you should understand the implications of your hate speech. Why anyone would go to your studio after this is beyond me."
These incidents underscore the importance of aligning actions with the true spirit of yoga. As members of the yoga community, we must strive to embody peace, compassion, and understanding, even in the face of political turmoil. It is our responsibility to promote healing and unity, rather than contribute to division and hatred.
Let us remember that yoga is not just a physical practice but a way of life. It calls us to rise above pettiness and animosity, to foster a sense of connection and empathy with all beings. In these challenging times, let us reaffirm our commitment to these values and work towards a more compassionate and unified world.
Written By Ashlee Sunshine
Creator of Sunshine Paradise Retreat
At Sunshine Paradise Retreat, our mission is to foster a safe and supportive sanctuary where individuals are guided in rediscovering their inner harmony through yoga, meditation, sound healing, nutrition, and holistic well-being, all within a luxurious natural setting, while delivering impeccable customer service.
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