Go With the Flow

Leslie Salmon Jones plays drums as alums dance around her

It’s early on a Saturday morning on the first day of BLUEprint, the WCAA’s annual fall leadership training for alumnae volunteers. But this isn’t your usual session on how to run a reunion. Two dozen alums are on the floor in a circle on yoga mats in a dance studio in Keohane Sports Center.

“We’re going to practice nonjudgment of self,” says Leslie Salmon Jones (above), a yoga instructor and dancer trained at Alvin Ailey, as quiet sounds emit from a plethora of instruments—a Djembe from Ghana, congas, bongos, Indian bells, a tambourine—played by her husband, Jeff Jones. There’s stretching, reaching and exhaling to the sounds of chimes, some downward-facing dog.

Eventually, Salmon Jones says, “You may have done many yoga classes, but I’m sure you don’t do this.” The drumming rings out with the sounds of the African diaspora, and suddenly the group is jumping, shimmying, dancing in a circle. Sweating abounds, as do megawatt smiles.

Welcome to Afro-Flow Yoga, a fusion of African dance and yoga created by Salmon Jones and her husband. Their workshop came to campus courtesy of the Alumnae Association. “Our aim was to begin an intensive working weekend with a fun group activity that promoted inclusion, diversity, and wellness for our volunteer leaders,” says Janet Monahan McKeeney ’88, the WCAA’s director of alumnae engagement logistics.

Mission accomplished, says Shivani Kuckreja ’16. “The class was amazing!” she says. “It was both calming and energizing, and the instructor encouraged everyone to come as they are, thus fostering an environment of inclusivity and allowing people to feel more comfortable to take risks.”

You Might Like
  • Portrait of Missy Siner Shea ’89 sitting in Academic Quad
    As Missy Siner Shea ’89 leaves the WCAA after four years as the executive director to become president and CEO of Special Olympics Vermont, she reflects on highlights from her tenure. What she will miss most? The daily interactions with brilliant, devoted alumnae.More
  • A group of young alums sitting around a table hold up their copies of "Little Fires Everywhere"
    Hadley Chase ’15 and Gabi Vesey ’18 of the Washington Wellesley Club say that there’s no substitute for reaching out to alums directly, and when they show up, letting them know that you value their presence.More
  • Volunteers in the Spotlight
    Jody Strakosch ’79, Teresita Ramos ’93, and Erika Spitzer ’06 received this year’s Sed Ministrare Volunteer awards for their significant volunteer service with Wellesley.More

Post a CommentView Full Policy

We ask that those who engage in Wellesley magazine's online community act with honesty, integrity, and respect. (Remember the honor code, alums?) We reserve the right to remove comments by impersonators or comments that are not civil and relevant to the subject at hand. By posting here, you are permitting Wellesley magazine to edit and republish your comment in all media. Please remember that all posts are public.

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.