Springing Forward, Staying Present
It's a strange day out there, as I draft this newsletter on Wednesday, 11 am.
In Thetford this morning, we looked out over the back field before my Sunrise class at fog hovering above the patchy bits of snow. "Ice fog", I was told by one of my students. It's in the fifties now, and completely still. Later today, high winds will tear through the region prompting a nosedive into deep, Winter-appropriate cold.
As is increasingly the case with our unstable weather and severe climate shift, it all feels a bit "upside down." We will "spring forward" in 10 days or so, the time change adding to the swirl of temporal and seasonal mayhem. As I ponder the Spring schedule, I ask myself: how do we "spring forward" and still stay present? How do we continue to witness change and at our center, stay grounded enough to continue to be in the world without despair, and with enough presence of mind to be happy, effective and at peace?
Yoga is the practice of yoking body and mind, and yoking to the reality of the present moment. Through yoga and meditation we learn to respond and "be" in this world without reacting in impulsive and destructive ways. Yes, we stretch and get stronger and refine balance and all the other good stuff of the physical practice, but what sets yoga apart from "fitness classes" and the gym, is that we come again and again, through body breath and mind, into the practice of staying present.
On Sunday, Sharon will teach her monthly class. Be sure and register to save a spot. This popular class fills up.
"Springing forward" a few weeks into the future, Greta will help you turn the world upside down through the practice of inversions—or, upside down poses. Inversion are fun, eye opening, empowering, and not as hard as you might think. Greta's workshop will be offered in a weekend intensive format midway through March. Her workshop will focus on skillfully and playfully learning how to go upside down, yogically speaking.
Also in the Spring, Natasha will be offering a 6-week Intro to Yoga class, a chance to begin...or maybe, "begin again" if you've been away from your mat awhile and hankering to get back to it.
And the Sunrise & Shine class in Thetford will ease back into two classes a month. If attendance remains robust, we will continue with twice a month for the forseeable future. This 6:30 am class is a really lovely way to boost mood and wellbeing mid-week. While it is not a gentle class per se, it is designed to be accessible to most students.
For all these offerings, scroll down to find links, learn more, and sign up. Please remember that if you do not sign up for class, we can't guarantee you a spot. If you have trouble signing up for class get in touch and we will add you to the class list.
