So in 2001, you and I lived in Brooklyn Heights, and you were out of town, and Brooklyn Heights and Brooklyn Heights and our apartment happened to be positioned right across from lower Manhattan.

And we had a great view of the World Trade Center from our roof.

So my neighbors were pounding on my door and we all ran up to the roof because we thought there had been a horrible accident and we were

standing up there and then suddenly we saw the second plane hit and it became immediately clear that this it was not an accident and you know

there's panic and everyone got in somebody's car, and then there was immediate gridlock.

And, you know, the days and the weeks after that were full of so much anguish and fear and also such intense vulnerability and and outreach in on every level and you know there's just nothing like a cataclysm to break down barriers and to break down what we see as the things that

divide us. And it was just, you know, it was just a really potent time. And it took a while for

you to come back.

Yeah. while for you to come back. I'm Jeff Krasno and welcome to Commune, where every week we explore the ideas, values, and practices that bring us together and help us live healthy and purpose-filled lives. Today on the show, we explore the ideas, values, and practices that bring us together and help us live healthy

and purpose-filled lives. Today on the show, we explore the different facets of community

through a tiny little yoga studio that emerged from the ashes of Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan

in early 2002. Now, that was Skyler Grant, the founder of Kula Yoga at the top of the show.

Now disclaimer, Skyler is my wife. I've been with her for 30 years. She's been with me for 29.

And on this episode, I finally get to find out what motivated her to open Kula. And we hear the

stories of people whose lives have been forever changed by the

dynamic community that the little studio inspired. By using Kula as an example, I'm very interested in

getting at how you successfully foster community and what are the conditions necessary for it to

thrive. What are the effects of belonging

and connection on the individuals that make up a community? How does it steal us in times of grief

and provide for us in times of need? So here's my conversation with Skyler. How long was that

until you got back?

I flew back the first day you could fly back, which was lucky just because that's when my plane was scheduled for.

...