How do we know if what we’re doing here at BECYCLE & BEYOND is worthwhile, that it brings something into the world, stirs and moves you? It won’t be implied from class attendance numbers, from packageS sold or kilometres cycled. If we could distill and measure the human connections that our spaces generate, and the joy they bring - this would be something! Until then, it’s your feedback that makes our world go round. And we have recently received such one incredible feedback, such recognition, we couldn’t ask for more. Thank you Drishti for sharing your journey BELOW!

“If you remember that life is fluid, you’ll never feel stuck. Nothing is the end-all or your only option. When something ends, it’s your time to start something new. It doesn’t matter how often doors close if you’re always moving forward. Don’t dwell or try to open those old doors. The more you keep moving, the more you’ll see life is working in your favor.” - Unknown.

There is power in loss, and grief is very much a part of life as breathing. Inhale the new, exhale the old, and keep exhaling if there’s a lot to let go of. My time in Berlin (December 2022 to February 2023) was defined by my movement throughout the city and at the BECYCLE studio.

From changing apartments 3 times within 2.5 months, to navigating unfamiliar areas, and the numerous scheduled activities. Marianne called it “Drishti running marathons” and it was an accurate description, both in and out of the studio. I would jog down 5 or 6 blocks, hunt for my Uber drivers, chase after trams and subways, and powerwalk so I could reduce 22 minutes to 15. The staff probably have a variety of my “I made it” expressions imprinted in their memories at this point. The studios were my finish and start lines. I could end the madness I was running from and commence a different one. No matter how troublesome the waters of my inner realm became, I knew I could always come here. BECYCLE anchored me. The unlimited memberships were mainly the reason I stayed in Berlin longer than I initially intended. Here, a space that was designed with so much intention. You feel that from the brilliant yet earthy colour schemes. There is a sense of community and involvement here. Although I spent the majority of my time alone in Berlin, I never truly felt it when I was there. I learned to embrace the not-so-fun aspects of myself through stillness and motion. Each class was a different lesson on how I could work through the sticky emotions and dense stressors.

Here’s what I learned:

Ride: The resistance introduces a sensation of pedalling through mud, which feels difficult and never-ending. 45 seconds in and another 45 to go, is like entering the twilight zone. It is this resisting that reminds me I am alive and persevering. 90 seconds behind and the gears shift left, I’m fluid and flowing down the ravine. I could only appreciate the ease because of the discomfort. I learned that just because things get hard, doesn’t mean that there’s no place for appreciation. I am teaching myself to find gratitude in the midst of the turmoil to deal with it more mindfully.

Pilates Reformer: The body and mind can work so well together. This union is something I am in constant awe of. The feedback derived from the machines validates the tiniest of acts. Humility lets me catch myself. Whereas arrogance invites unwanted accidents and accelerating heart rates for the instructors who want to prevent them. In both Ride and Reformer Pilates, the option to change the amount of resistance is always in my control. When I apply this to my life, I see all the ways I inhibit my growth because I fear temporary periods of discomfort. Constantly adjusting to my needs lets me flow better.

Barre: Sometimes we need to hold on and feel through the pulsing burn. If there ever was an activity that quickly humbled me, then it’s barre. No matter how strong I think I am, I am going to succumb to something. It’s not so terrible because this constant encountering of my vulnerabilities expands my emotional resilience.

Barrelit: We can allow ourselves to burn for the things that matter to us and then lie down and watch the candles do the same. The experience of going from one intensity to having none is comparable to being whiplashed. It was important for me to reflect on that because in my life I go through such tumultuous periods and then nothing. Most of the time this is self-inflicted and other times from external sources. I constantly need to remind myself to not invalidate the pain even if it’s no longer there. My experiences matter

Flow Yoga: Extending beyond my own expectations and working with balance is a finicky endeavour. I appreciate the props that help me stay up as I try to go against the laws of physics. In the tiny moments of stillness, there is still life as we breathe through the Asanas and flow into the next.

Yin Yoga: If a class ever taught me how to love the hostile world inside myself, then it would be Yin Yoga. Sometimes it’s okay to hold on. Not everything needs to be released right away. Some things take time and there is absolutely no rush because healing oneself is not a race. The props act as resources that we can use to hold on responsibly and comfortably so that we don’t exist in agony. The distinction between pain and discomfort is important. It’s a fine line and is often mistaken for the other. Thinking it’s discomfort, we sit with it a little longer than we should. When it’s pain. With pain, we sit with it a little less. When it’s discomfort. The concept of when and what to hold on to or let go of, is not static. It evolves. While the stillness lasts longer than in typical asanas, I never dismiss the rise and fall of breaths nor the tears that often flow from the corners of my eyes.

Breathe and Release: Laying with the essence of life itself: the breath. Then, momentarily reduced to just a body that inhales and exhales, I notice how these breaths take on a life of their own. We’re all living through something, and the efforts made to openly do so, are beautiful. I don’t have to carry the burden that comes with existing in this world all by myself. Providing a space to listen to oneself and others goes a long way toward making the world safer. Being guided through breathwork exercised my ability to trust.

The version of me that walked out was a touch more resilient. Living is a delicate balance between loss and gain. As someone who feels deeply, intense emotions come with the territory. Learning how to love myself even in the most excruciating moments, was emphasized by the time I spent there. I have yet to come across a studio that takes a “holistic approach” towards movement as seriously as BECYCLE and BEYOND. Thank you to every single person that works so hard to ensure people like me have a frictionless experience. Thank you for putting up my chaotic time management skills. Thank you for supporting my journey. I can’t wait to come back!

Love,

Drishti Sanger

Moving Through Grief: A Love Letter To BECYCLE & BEYOND