​Peace Starts In The Kitchen Sink - International Women's Day

Yoga & Mindful Meditation class dedicated to World Peace & driving greater change for women and moving closer to gender parity on International Women’s Day, March 8 2017 held today (630-930am) in Sydney KGV Recreation Centre. The International Yoga Teachers Association's sponsored the IWD event with over 350 women registered for the yoga and mediation practise followed by a light breakfast. The charity Dress for Success created the initiative.

President, Mary Louise Parkinson and, Cate Petersen (pictured L-R)

On International Women’s Day (IWD) 8 March 2017, women all around the world united are dedicating themselves to driving greater change for women and moving closer to gender parity. 

Early this morning, I joined hundreds of women as they gathered from all parts of Sydney to be empowered & inspired by women at the largest Women's Yoga & Meditation Class at Sydney's KGV's Recreation Centre. 

President of the International Yoga Teachers Association Marie-Louise Parkinson who led the sunrise meditation devoted to World Peace said, "Peace starts in the kitchen sink and it spreads to your family, friends, your workplace and to all those around you. Once you're peaceful inside than it will naturally permeate out to others.

"There's no use marching on the streets and raising the banner, when you're angry at home," she said.

"The meaning of yoga is to unite and so through our yoga & meditation practice today women in Sydney and worldwide were able to connect physically, emotionally & spiritually to acknowledge the power women have to bring peace to the planet".

​Following this empowerment, recent surveys reveal that women believe that it is more challenging for them to climb the career ladder compared to married men.

Employers can perceive mothers as not fully committed to their job due to other family commitments and women can simply miss out on the opportunity to climb up the career ladder.

Almost 5 years ago, IWD changed my life when I was introduced to a small but powerful advocacy group, Chief Executive Women (CEW) that support Women leaders enabling women leaders. CEW was keen to make a difference, to empower women to connect, to help women climb the ladder in their field.  I had felt the impact of being a working mother and was not recognised as being committed enough to my job.

Only a small number of women knew about International Women's Day back then and its wonderful to see it flourish worldwide impacting women and men of all ages. Both executive women and men addressing issues such as unconscious bias in the workplace - whether its gender equity in pay, board positions or in senior/executive management.
 
Personally I have felt the impact of unconscious bias in the workplace and have chosen to grow my own small businesses, yogarama – taking yoga and mindfulness to the people of all ages 8-80 years, starting with my committed yoga students at Wylies Baths in Coogee. Yogarama students experience most beautiful outdoor yoga studio in Sydney.

Wishing women all around the world a Happy International Women’s Day.  

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