Community and charity efforts at Maitri Studio 

I was uplifted by the positivity, resistance (to oppression) and openness (to change) of the recent International Women's Day march in Belfast, organised by Reclaim The Agenda (all power to their collective elbows) and with many other associations and community groups in attendance. The wonderful Mary Robinson was there to remind us of the power and necessity of solidarity, joining our skills and talents, to provide solutions to the great challenges we face, from domestic violence and misogyny to facing down 'post-truth' lies and tackling climate change. She talked about the importance of combining our resources, as she's been doing through Project Dandelion, a women-led global campaign for climate justice. In the Irish project working on food sovereignty she and others recognise all the good work happening through the island and will build on those connections. 

As she said "Truth is our relations with each other… we must flourish together."

It chimes very much with how we see things here at Maitri Studio. Geoff and I established Maitri Studio as a positive place for peacefulness, inclusive and for community - you can read an interview with us in the early days here. We feel after 12 years it has grown beyond us, and we're thrilled! In a childhood analogy, Maitri Studio is definitely not 'our baby' any more - she's grown up and is fledging the nest, with ideas of her own and contributed to by the many teachers, facilitators and counsellors who work at the studio. 

Mary Robinson reminded us of Article 29 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - that with rights come responsibilities. 

"Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of [their] personality is possible"

This reminds us that we don't only have a responsibility to act for our communities, but that it is an essential part of being human. As we all will have felt at some point in our lives, we receive so much when we give, and the act of giving and helping others makes us more whole, more fully who we really are. 

We hosted a big ideas session in January about how we can continue to build on our wonderful space at Maitri Studio, with more use of the rooms and services we offer both in the building and beyond. As you can see from the photo we have our own biases - on the day we were white, female and mostly of a certain age. Happily we identified that and look to extend our reach and inclusion, and we do already host facilitators and teachers of other genders and backgrounds. Work on formulating plans and ideas continues, slowly as we have the energy and time to do so, but steadily we hope. 

And somehow, as if by magic, the word has gone out and we've already been approached for some wonderful offerings on the solidarity theme! 

• We're delighted to welcome Mike Ditchfield (of Curious Community monthly drum circles) with a new venture, Solidarity Rhythm Circle on March 27th, with the first charity link up being Starling Collective, a Belfast charity working with people seeking asylum or granted refugee status. Come along, try some drums and play, learn about Starling Collective's work and all funds raised through ticket sales go to the charity.

   

• Mike is also starting a monthly men's circle in April on the first Wednesday of the month. As an Oxygen Advantage Advanced instructor the session will open with breathwork and then there's a chance to share and connect - so whether you're looking for friendships, trying to find a better work-life balance, or searching inside yourself for what you value, come along. Yes, the first one is on April 1st and and no, this isn't an April fool, please tell the men in your life!

• In April, Deirdre brings a mind - body reset fundraiser, a step towards your own camino, in aid of Evora hospice which we're co-hosting.

   

• We put Rory at Voicing the Void in touch with Bright Umbrella Theatre next door - so go and see their Golden Seams Restorative Story-telling! Also on at the MAC and Brian Friel Theatre - info and tickets here. These are stories of survival & stories of repair. Golden Seams is an evening of powerful live performance where lived experience and storytelling come alive on stage. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi - repairing broken pottery with gold - Golden Seams honours both the cracks and the courage it takes to heal.

   

• We're still making our donation towards the earth by providing a blister pack recycling box in the lobby. It's proved extremely popular so if you'd like to donate to that (each box is £110) paypal us @maitristudiobelfast or drop cash in if you're at the studio (to your teacher). 

Read through our events page for more and if you've ideas, let us know! Get in touch [email protected] or @maitristudiobelfast on IG/FB, or call +44 (0)28 9099 2428.