We have been graced over the past weeks with quite the lead up to spring full of incredibly sunshiny days, tons of wind, intense storms and buds bursting forth with vibrant color. On the other side of these amazing shifts in the season lay a whole host of emotions and feelings that have grown and been bubbling since the start of this very long and taxing pandemic. Many have reported trouble concentrating, feeling a lack of joy and a sense of burnout paired with the need to feel in control by adhering to hyper structure. Our modern world demands us to keep swimming amidst uncertainty, insecurity and a deep sense of loss on all levels. This is an unrealistic ask without gathering stress, trauma and depression even for the most in-tuned and present among us. While hope burns brighter as the days pass and science heralds in effective ways to find safety, our bodies, minds and spirits are burning out. There is little time to afforded to simply feel in order to heal. It’s hard times my friends. Recently, The New York Times shared a piece about the the effect that we as a population seem to be exhibiting- ‘We Have All Hit a Wall’ (The New York Times- Sarah Lyall, April 3rd, 2021). Indeed, I believe that we have.
With that said, I find myself feeling blessed to hit the wall and work through the wall with such a dedicated community along with a group of incredible instructors. Despite the tax of Covid, our community has remained united and our instructors continue to learn, train and grow. They walk the walk, practice, fall and get back up. They are deeply committed to teaching this ancient and transformative practice with humility, humanity and a growth mindset. They walk beside you and I and never in front or behind.
Before Covid it was easy to lose sight of things pinned behind our work, our families and our definitions of the ways we think life should be. Through Covid, a lot has fallen away and we are left with wheels spinning trying to regain our center. Movement, meditation, nature and connection with our world have always been fantastic tools, but in the heat of this very long moment in history, we are prompted in our fatigue to utilize a different tool by a small and clear voice within ourselves asking, ‘where and how am I now?’ The end of the article was left wide open as the author noted that amidst the bed-making, hula-hooping and all searches by those interviewed, a definitive answer had not yet been found in seeking out the answers externally.
The remainder of April at TYC offers an array of perspective and insight to shine a light on possible answers for you and I. One of the advantages of being a virtual studio is that we have access to instructors and professionals that we might not ordinarily have. In addition to the fantastic movement and meditation classes we offer weekly, our book club will dive headlong into Pema Chodron’s, The Places That Scare You, to break the ground of getting back to seeing and feeling your fears with compassion as a place to begin the healing process. On Saturday April 10th my naturopath, Dr. Sonya Jensen, will be leading a lecture/discussion on women’s health, hormones, yoga and life. I have learned so much from this gracious being. She will help us to dive deeper to unravel the places that scare us in order to connect with the courage to be vulnerable, to be our true selves and to live with integrity and in alignment within the spectrum of our whole lives. I have received such great care and understanding with my road map from Dr. Sonya that I wanted to share her all with you. I find her so relatable and such a great resource. I hope you join us for this wonderful opportunity.
The following weekend, Saturday April 17th, Dr. Sat Bir joins us yet again for his resource filled lecture about the science (read peer reviewed, evidence based research) surrounding Yoga and Meditation. We’ve offered this several times during COVID intentionally. My wish is to share this lecture with as many people in the world as I can! Dr. Sat Bir breaks it down why Yoga and Meditation are such important practices that truly can change our lives, based on scientific research. If you are in the health field, a teacher or school staff, a therapist or someone who works and interacts with other humans (haha) then this lecture is for you. Presented in a direct (and humorous) style you also receive the PDF power point presentation after the workshop! You will leave with so many resources, information and inspiration to make even small changes. (Both of these workshops will also be available for 48 hours (2 days) after the event via recording if you are signed up! This is the ideal option for you if you can’t attend at the scheduled time).
For as much as there is inspiration and hope to be gained from the forces outside ourselves, it is equally important to explore, address and make acquaintance with all of the walls, light spaces, dark corners and Pandora’s boxes within to unleash our greatest potential.
We invite you to join us this month for some deep work within!
With Love-
Melissa & Your TYC Family
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine as children do.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson
Clear away the haze and find your light…