I know, it sounds crazy — but after she talked about her personal emails including yoga routines in the presser — I had to ask! So I sent her a tweet asking if she’d meet for a class at my yoga studio, Mind the Mat.
Dear @HillaryClinton — will you come do a yoga class with me at @MindtheMat? A conservative (me), a liberal (you) can bond over some “oms”?
— Ericka Andersen (@ErickaAndersen) March 10, 2015
Now, I know she’s really busy with her professional duties and all — perhaps running for President, or so I’ve heard — I think it would be a good PR move for her to engage this conservative Yogi (I mean, beginner who does yoga) in some bipartisan sweating.
All kidding aside, I would totally welcome a mat session with Madame Secretary, but hopefully she’d let me call her Hillary because it’d be kind of weird to be all professional while we were wearing Lululemon.
I live in Washington, DC and you know I don’t talk politics on the blog but anyone that follows me on Twitter can figure out my politics in about 2 seconds. Thankfully, that hasn’t been a problem for most people. I’m glad the sport of fitness can bring us all together in common sweatiness to work out life’s problems together.
That’s why I really loved the #IfEverybodyRan campaign by Mizuno….how much better would we all feel if we tried solving problems while we were out on a run together — or doing yoga together — or lifting weights together? Just some amount of physical exertion for a great purpose than just the conversation.
Yoga, especially, is a great place for people of different mindsets to come together. It’s all about accepting who we are, where we are and find your own personal best in that moment – -not beating yourself if you don’t “live up” to some kind of standard.
I don’t think world leaders can solve the crisis in the Middle East doing yoga together. I don’t think I could convince Hillary Clinton that she’s wrong about healthcare — or she could convince me I’m wrong about education. But maybe if everyone was required (I mean, it was suggested 🙂 that we all spend 20 minutes working up a sweat before the tough conversations, a different kind of perspective would emerge.
Perhaps not. Either way, if Hillary Clinton does yoga with, she’ll be a hit with all the yoga moms out there and you know that community growing like crazy these days!
If she responds, let me tag along 😉
that would be so cool!
How do you like mind the mat? I’m looking for some good yoga classes, and that one is really close to me. Not sure I can take any more big box yoga classes..
Well, it’s the only yoga studio I’ve ever really gone to so I don’t have a lot to compare but…so far, really like it! Classes are usually very full, though so if you need lots of space, maybe not the place!
I hope she takes you up on your invite!!
On the politics note, I actually really enjoy reading your perspective, even though I have some very different views on some things. I find that your voice is never negative toward the other side, you express your views well and that’s why I continue to read things that you write and post! Because, let’s face it, we can all learn something from someone who has a different view than we have. 🙂
Oh thank you Liz! I know I’m pretty sarcastic on Twitter sometimes but….have learned plenty from others I don’t agree with and think everything is better when we can have real conversations!
I’m serious, I really respect the way you present your views, even when they’re not in line with my own! 🙂
Hilariously practical idea.