Well, my plan for the fall went right out the window! Sometimes it’s great to make plans, just so the universe will mess with them by giving you exactly what you need.
Instead of running off to the woods every weekend to howl at the moon, I’ve been moving towards wild domesticity through paperwork, inspections, and budgeting. Next week, Tom and I will be moving to our own little sanctuary near the woods. I’ll be able to walk out my back door and lay on the earth as needed. I’ll wander in the rain, and howl at the moon from my own back yard. My garden will be a wild, sustenance-providing mess. There will be baby chickens. And I will be looking forward to teaching more in the Westport and Tiverton areas (Hi, new friends!) while keeping some of my classes in Mattapoisett at Anchor Yoga (I love you, old friends!).
Another amazing autumn adventure has been the opportunity to teach mindfulness to Elementary School Kiddos in New Bedford, through the Mindful Collaborative. It has been a fun change of pace from teaching adult classes, and I love, love, love sharing mindfulness skills with the kids so they can start to cultivate a supportive, compassionate relationship with their own selves as they grow and learn. The week before the Holiday break, there was one little boy in kindergarten who had “volcano mouth” for fifteen straight minutes. I spent the whole class teaching the information and reminding him to be considerate of his friends and to raise his hand. Just before I left, he finally figured it out and raised his hand. And when I called on him, he threw his head back, his arms up, and said “Aaaaah, I LOVE THIS!” Who knew?!
I can’t wait to finish my move, get snuggled in, and start to branch out teaching more and more. I hope to offer gentle yoga, more vigorous strengthening practices, natural movement, mindfulness, and of course - private lessons in all of those options!
Remember that no matter what else you have going on right now - this winter darkness is a time of sacred rest. It’s ok to be tired, it’s normal to be a little lazy, it’s always about balance. Whenever you can, give yourself the gift of coziness, love, and compassion. This is how we bring light to the world.