Easy Does It

For the last 9-months, every morning when I wake up, even before I get out of bed, I remind myself to feel the breath come in and feel the breath flow out. That one mindful breath reminds me it will be ok. The next reminder I give to myself is a mantra that stays with me throughout the day, "easy does it." Some days I need that reminder more than others but that simple routine continues to keep me grounded in gratitude and hopeful I/we will be ok. So how are you doing? How are you (and your whole being) feeling? Are you taking it easy on yourself?

I heard someone once say, "in the before," referring to everything that happened before the pandemic. Can you even remember back that far?! I can but it seems so much longer than 9-months ago. Even the hard times seem better, "in the before".

Everyone keeps talking about returning to "normal." It certainly won't be like it was "in the before" but hopefully, you have found a silver lining or two in these times as we move ahead. For a girl who doesn't like to be on camera, or in front of groups of people (yes I know that sounds silly coming from a yoga teacher) or hearing her own voice, teaching online has turned out to be one of my silver linings in 2020. Have you had any of those? Tell me, please! I really want to know.

You see, I did resist change and teaching online mostly because of the above but also because after my studios closed I felt lost. That and I guess I was scared people wouldn’t show up. In 2018 I left New York City, a community that I spent seven years cultivating and loving. Needless to say, I have had only glimpses of a new community forming and then everything shut down. “In the before'', even if it was one student who showed up to class, it made it all worth it. It was a connection. No matter the size of the class I tried to connect.

It's hard to connect even with all this technology. When it's not forced and we let the "guard" down, connecting is just more easeful. When I finally let my guard down, in addition to using my mantra "easy does it" it made the fear of failure and the unknown slip away. It wasn't always pretty and mistakes have been made but life isn't always pretty and certainly isn't neat, am I right? What have you learned or built the courage up to face during the last 9-months?

During this holiday season, one that certainly won't ever look like it did "in the before" and hopefully will never be repeated can I offer one suggestion? Easy Does It. Take it easy, on yourself (and your whole being), on each other, and well... on everything. It's easy to forget but can be a simple practice that may help. I do hope it helps. If you have other practices that have been helpful for you, please feel free to share. Tell me! I really want to know.

In this season of giving, I have included a simple Love and Kindness Meditation for you to enjoy (I hope). Yup, you will notice the audio files. I made them, "in the before" when my guard was still up :). Watch out… in 2021 my guard is down and my virtual studio is going live... silver linings. Ha!

Love and Kindness Meditation.

PS. If you are curious about meeting me online check out my 2021 series class schedule. All classes are being held via Zoom. Don't worry if taking a yoga class online is new to you, I walk you through it step by step.

PSS. If you are interested in connecting with me, for private online sessions (another silver lining) feel free to reach out.