Hi Reader,
I started February with a two night retreat at Kripalu, an educational non-profit dedicated to guiding people and communities to realize their full potential through the wisdom and practice of yoga; it filled me in deeply nourishing ways.
To have 48+ hours with only me to focus on - no planning of meals, no drop offs or pick ups, no one else to consider in how I wanted to spend my time - was an amazing gift. I could write a whole bunch about my time and experience, but my big takeaways were:
- Finding joy is a discipline, especially when the news can be all consuming in the worst of ways. Make the plans and take action. If nothing else, turn on a song you love and let loose! With one song, even a few minutes to soften and smile, you’ll be amazed at what shifts.
- Kripalu (or any retreat, favorite resting spot, vacation destination, etc.) is a state of mind. Our mind doesn’t fully know where we are, just what we are thinking about and how safe we feel. How can you bring back some of the peace, slower pace or joy you feel when you’re on a retreat or vacation?
- Take time to transition between tasks. Remind yourself that you are moving from one thing/place to the next and do so in a way that feels intentional. I’ve been trying to take 5 breaths when I park my car before I walk into work and this transition-pause has been pivotal in how I feel throughout my day.
Then, I ended February with a family vacation to Florida that was exactly what we needed! Sun, time in the pool playing for hours, days that stretched on with minimal plans and space away from my phone and laptop.
February and early March bring their own shifts and noticeable transitions - the sun feels a little warmer, the days are a little longer and things are stirring a bit more. Cabin fever might set in too; winter is long in northern New England. But there is a detectable change and anticipation that is present as we shift into late winter, feeling spring on the horizon.
We just passed the Lunar New Year and Beltane, two holidays that celebrate this seasonal transition. Just a few weeks from spring, almost daylight savings time - are you feeling a shift? I’m feeling both an excitement for longer days with the warmer sun AND a need to keep resting, to wake up slowly. With this push and pull, I am continuing to mull over ideas of offerings - classes or workshops I’d like to lead - as well as creating some new programs and fostering community connections.
Something I’m excited to share is that I am now offering two postpartum classes in partnership with Good Beginnings, both supported by local grants. Together we offer 3 free classes to every mom who wants to join - classes are on Tuesday mornings.
Even if you aren’t postpartum, chances are you know someone who is! Just like finding joy is a discipline and Kripalu is a state of mind, strengthening our communities is a practice. It is great just to read about the support being offered AND even better to spread the word. Please forward this email to someone you know who is postpartum, telling them about the FREE yoga and strength classes they can join!
Wishing you a slow, late winter wake up,
“If you want to see something new, take the same walk every day..."
— anecdotal quote of John Burroughs, American Naturalist
“It’s the perfect example… the world is inexhaustable; it’s only our imaginations that are limited… the art of curiosity is the art of taking nothing for granted… Therefore you don’t have to go to Tibet or Antarctica to find wonder; it’s right in your neighborhood.”
— Pico Iyer, Dive Deep on Curiosity on Kelly Corrigan Wonders