MLK Day Reflection: Courage, Service, and Showing Up
- Maheen
- Jan 19
- 1 min read
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the legacy of courage, service, and nonviolence that shaped the Civil Rights Movement.
What many people do not know is that Dr. King was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of nonviolence—ahimsa—is rooted in Indian spiritual and yogic traditions. For both Gandhi and Dr. King, nonviolence was not passive. It was an active, disciplined commitment to love, dignity, and justice—even when standing up for others was difficult or uncomfortable.
In yoga, we are reminded that practice is not only about personal well-being, but about how we show up in the world. Yoga trains us to breathe under pressure, to respond rather than react, and to act with courage. In this way, yoga becomes a practice of service—strengthening our capacity to meet others with integrity, compassion, and care.
Last week, I reflected on purpose—not as something we need to achieve, but as something that unfolds through how we carry ourselves. On this MLK Day, that reflection feels especially alive. Purpose is lived through service, through the choice to show up courageously, and through the willingness to stand for one another when it matters most.
A gentle reflection for today: How might your practice—on or off the mat—be an act of courage, service, and support for those around you?
May we remember that our presence matters.
May our actions reflect care and courage.
And may our practice be an offering that serves the greater good.
In service,
Maheen
