Tyrone Beverly, founder of the inclusive Im’Unique yoga program, is focusing on the sensitive topic of police relations at the 4th Annual Im’Unique Wellness Fest, which starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Sports Authority Field.
“We’re becoming desensitized to the bloodshed and equally desensitized to the community’s response,” Beverly said. “We need to be in the same space, having the same conversation, especially when people disagree or become uncomfortable.”
The community conversation, called Breakin’ Bread, Breakin’ Barriers, is part of his effort to unite the worlds of social activism and the wellness community. At the event held recently in Fort Collins, people from all communities — black, white, Asian, Hispanic — shared traumatic stories and also expressed gratitude toward police officers.
The talk is preceded by a yoga class to help participants begin the conversation “with open hearts and minds,” Beverly said.
In Denver, officers from District One in the Denver Police Department will be part of the conversation, which is aimed at finding common ground and mutual understanding.
“We can’t continue to silo out social and mental health from physical health — they are completely connected,” Beverly said. “We’re not looking for another hashtag campaign. We need real people in real conversations for this to work and be effective.”
The conversation starts at 12:30 p.m., following the yoga class on the field, and wellness festival also includes live entertainment, fitness demos and wellness activities.
