It's been such a beautiful summer; sunshine, gardens, outdoor activities and vacations a plenty.
We recently went on a little vacation to visit family in Kansas City, where it was 86 degrees and Emmy was able to swim in the sunshine every day. Upon returning, we harvested some crops from the garden and started the canning chores. I cam e to the studio and taught my first class since coming back. After that, I drove home in the dark. Bam! Just like that, it was dark on the home commute, and it wasn’t that late. “Okay, I guess it’s time to settle in”, my mind tells me.
From there, as the rain starts, I find this natural urge to curl up into a fetal position and wait out the cold, dark weather until spring. Not at all realistic or healthy, but also not uncommon.
As the seasons change, and the world darkens around us, let’s look into the shadows with eyes wide open. Doing this we can eventually see that the freedom, the connection, we desire is on the other side of the fear we feel when we first peek into the shadows.
At first glance, this can be scary, but as we learn to embrace and lean into the darkness, we will find so much beauty, freedom, and vast connectivity.
Small consistent practices add up and help us as we peer into the shadows. Spiritual practices (prayers or mantra meditations), pranayama (deep breathing techniques), and asana (movement) can all be used in nurturing our Selves, strengthening the mind-body connection.
Using these consistent practices will bring us through the dark season with a much greater appreciation of our shadows and what they actually provide us with. The opportunity for self study and self love, so that we can build on a community of courage rather than fear.
Finding and building on a community of warmth, inclusion, and love is so important in these times. How do we build on this? It starts with building it within our Selves, with pure Love. It starts with a warm safe place to allow these practices to flourish.
Join us throughout the winter months to learn and build on these practices. Each event will focus on practices to enrich our minds and our bodies and build a better connection between the two. All bodies, minds, and beliefs are welcome, at all times.
We might be driving home in the dark, but we will have lit a fire so bright inside our Selves that nothing can dull us throughout the winter months!!
New Moon Eclipse Celebration Rituals ~ Readings ~ Relaxation
Saturday, October 14th @6pm Healthy
Kicking off the spooky season with tricks and treats aimed at better connecting to your Self. Movement, Tarot readings, Moon Deck Meditations, and more to explore this especially auspicious time for initiating movement spiritual activities.
October’s eclipse in Libra prioritizes harmony over all else. This eclipse asks us to let go of what no longer serves us within our relationships and being okay with the void space that may take place before newer, more aligned relationships arrive. This is the time to focus on self-empowerment, self-confidence, release of people pleasing tendancies, acceptance of chaos as a catalyst, and raising your relationship standards.
In general eclipses can bring on chaotic energy, it’s time to turn that into fire. It’s time to burn for your Self, your loved ones, and your community. Even through silent, personal, practices we can build a community of strength and perseverance.
Pre Holiday Relaxation Yoga Nidra ~ Pranayama
Friday, November 17th @7pm
The holidays bring a time of high energy that can be overwhelming at times. Kick off the season by settling into a deep restful meditation and deep breathing exercises to counter the hustle and bustle. Come in for a guided relaxation.
Pranayama is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. Prana means “life force” and yama means “to gain control”. We will use guided breathing techniques to balance the nervous system and to better respond to outside stimulation.
Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep, is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. During this practice you will relax completely into a sleeping position and find yourself lulled into a relaxed state by guided meditation.
December Deep Dive Meditation ~ Pranayama
Saturdays 2nd, 9th, and 16th @830am
Pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), and dhyana (meditation) are all closely related in controlling our senses and becoming closer to who we truly are and how we fit into this universe. How we show up for ourselves is most important, especially as we navigate how to better show up for others.
Discover the benefits of establishing a personal deep breathing practice. Learn about potential health benefits (mental and physical) of various breathing and concentration techniques, and find what works best for You. (Three Saturdays)
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