Yogis, Friends & Supporters of Shalem Yoga,
Thank you for the support, encouragement and kindness you have shown me through the years. This past fall marked 7 years of practicing, facilitating and/or teaching yoga. Breathing, moving and meditating with you all is a joy. I'm grateful when you show up.....there's a season for everything.
Right now there's a wintery storm blowing in. I've reheated coffee and am sitting sukhasana ("simple" seated posed with legs crossed which, in my opinion is anything but easy!) I have one mantra for this season - marinate in yoga. Don't blow through it, force yourself into it or even make yoga into a "have to." You don't have to sweat, practice a certain amount of time or a certain number of days. You are free to be! Be in your yoga shape, noticing your breath - wintering well.
We are in a season of rest which eclipses Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany and Lent. Rest? For that long?!?! Yes, rest. Now, that doesn't mean sick days for 4 months. But it does mean resting in the power, might, decision-making and comfort of the Lord. It does mean resting our bodies in a season he created where we couldn't work as much (now computers and HVAC make work possible everywhere and all the time.)
So how do we winter well in our modern age? I don't know your routines, your energy levels and history. But for me, a pitta dosha, fiery but easily burnt out composition, I must take time in winter to calm, cool and rest. I look to the animals and trees - they are alive - working - but yet, dormant. Calm, cool and resting. For some of you rest is breaking from work and hitting the slopes, for others it's enjoying hot chocolate in front of a fire more and for others it's resting in yoga shapes (or maybe all listed depending on the day.) I would love to hear how you winter well! Reply to this email with your words, suggestions and experiences.
If you would like to practice yoga this season you are invited. Our Monday 930 slow flows will jump around so see the schedule in this email with information on those moved dates. Thursday TSY will continue each week 1130-1215. You may register for any practice of interest via my website www.shalemyoga.com or by texting me at 615-521-5722. Additionally, I continue to facilitate Yin Wedesdays 930am and Slow Flow Thursdays 930am at NuPower. All NuPower practices can be viewed or registered for via this link: https://nupoweryogabarre.com/schedule
If your wintering is in need of retreating, we have 1-2 spots left. We would love to have you join Feb. 22-25 (currently this is a women only event but maybe one day we will have the capacity for couples, etc!:) This is the beginning of Lent and we will have a brand new devotional to dig into! Email me at brookelovelace@me.com if you'd like information.
Warmly,
Brooke
