 This post is inspired as I was walking the beach and met this handsome Rocky Mountain horse. Our eyes locked, and then he gave me a kiss. I'd not experienced a horse this kind, gentle and friendly before. Without words, his pure love cracked my heart wide open.
They say eyes are the window to the soul, and I believe this rings especially true for our beloved animal companions. In their gentle gazes, we find a depth of emotion and understanding that transcends the need for words. Our pets communicate volumes through their expressive eyes, conveying love, patience and care in ways that touch our hearts profoundly. Have you ever caught yourself lost in wonder, observing your furry friends while they rest peacefully? There's an inexplicable comfort in watching them dream, curled up contentedly in their bed. In those quiet moments, we're reminded of the simple joys that often elude us in our busy lives. Our pets' gift of unconditional love and acceptance is truly a blessing. It seems they have a gift for tuning into our emotions and moods. No matter what challenges we may be facing, great and small, they stand by us, offering comfort and support without hesitation or judgment. I've come to believe that our four-legged companions are some of life's greatest teachers. Through their attitudes and actions, they impart wisdom that, if embraced, could transform our lives and our world. Let me share with you some of the most important lessons I've learned from these furry sages:
Let's never forget what our animal companions teach us. May we approach each day with wonder, to love without conditions, and to find contentment in the simple act of being. May we all learn to live a little bit more like them, with open hearts, wagging tails, and an unwavering appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us every day. With love and gratitude, I dedicate this letter to each of the furry loves that have filled my heart and my life with overflowing love, joy, goodness and lessons learned all along the way. The next time you gaze into your pet's eyes, remember that you're looking at more than just a beloved animal. You're witnessing a reflection of life's most profound truths – love, loyalty, and the precious gift of the present moment.  I hope this message finds you well and ready to welcome the changing season. As the days of summer fade, a growing sense of stillness settles in the air. Like a whisper at your front door, it's time to invite autumn in.
The world around us is changing as the leaves paint themselves in warm hues. The light continues to soften and fade a little earlier each day – gentle reminders to pause and take notice, much like the moments of stillness we observe in our yoga practice. For many of us, autumn is a season of remembrance, reflection and ritual. It's a time to harvest the lessons of seasons past and create space for what is to come. This natural pause allows us to gently transition into the quieter months, feeling peace and finding alignment within ourselves. With each new season, it's important to acknowledge and celebrate the shifts, just as we celebrate the changing colors of autumn leaves. The Art of Reflection: On & Off the Mat As we enter a quieter season, I encourage you to build a little less into your schedule. Give yourself the gift of time to reflect. You might ask yourself: what brought you the most joy, and what were your greatest challenges? By putting pen to paper, we are honoring the memories and not losing them. With the passing of time, we often forget how much we've done and how far we've come. It is in reflecting that we are able to chart the way forward. Embracing Autumn Through Yoga Certain yoga poses can help us embody the season's energy as we transition into autumn. These poses help us connect with autumn's themes of balance, letting go and inner strength. Consider incorporating these into your practice:
Summer, with its vibrant energy, often keeps us moving at a whirlwind pace. The season of autumn ushers in the perfect opportunity to shift the gaze from the outer to our inner world. One of the gifts of our yoga practice is taking time to turn our attention inward. Sift through our experiences and learn from their most valuable lessons. What are some unexpected challenges you've been faced with, and how has it caused you to grow? What has it asked you to let go of? These lessons carefully gleaned become the seeds we plant for our future growth. Creating Space for What's to Come Autumn invites us to let go, much like the trees shedding their leaves. This letting go isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional, too. You might consider:
The Breath of Seasons: A Yogic Perspective The basis of our yoga practice is through our breath. If we view the year as one great breath, summer is an inhale full of expansion. Let autumn be the pause, that moment of stillness between breaths, before winter's long exhale. In this pause, we find balance and restoration. Embracing Autumn's Fleeting Abundance This season is fleeting and oh so abundant if we are willing to bask in it for as long as it gifts us its presence. The impermanence of autumn – the changing colors, the harvest and the gradual cooling – reminds us to savor each moment. As we transition into this new season, let's remember that change is happening not just all around us but also within us. By embracing autumn's gifts of reflection, release and renewal, we prepare ourselves for the coming season. We learn to fully appreciate each moment without clinging to or trying to change it. Autumn Mindfulness Practice Take a moment now for a brief autumn mindfulness practice:
This simple exercise can help us practice mindfulness and embody autumn's spirit of letting go. May the natural rhythm of nature bring peace to your days!  "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." ~ George Bernard Shaw
So often, we spend most of our days dedicating all of our energy, time and resources to those we love and to the things around us. But what happens is we forget to take that same time, energy and love for ourselves. It's easy to forget that it all starts within, and it's vital that we take time to fill the well within. Your commitment to health and happiness flows with the changing seasons that life inevitably brings. The stronger your commitment to yourself, the smoother life can flow. It's the things we do every single day that make up the whole of life. Each of us is unique, and it's important to honor yourself, your needs and what best supports you. In a world obsessed with drawing you to seek happiness outside of yourself, remember: YOU are enough. Take time for yourself, explore your deepest needs and desires and follow them. By honoring your inner voice, you are freed up to choose and create more balance in your life. Below is a list of daily possibilities to support your soul-care journey. Remember, self-care is a personal journey – take what resonates for you and make it your own:
I love the words of Dolly Parton: "Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”  As we find ourselves midway through the year, it's indeed a good time for introspection and renewal. I opened to a list I'd recorded in my journal many years ago. May you find it insightful.
The adventure of life is to learn Set aside some quiet moments and consider your journey so far this year. What have you learned? The purpose of life is to grow In what ways do you desire to grow? In what ways have you grown? The nature of life is to change Embrace change as you notice change is the nature of life. Consider areas where you might be resisting change and explore ways to adapt and flow. The challenge of life is to overcome You didn't get this far without facing challenge. Acknowledge your inner strength and how far you've come. The essence of life is to care Practice self-compassion for yourself and others. The opportunity of life is to serve Serve through simple acts of daily kindness or perhaps through volunteering w/in your community. The greatest joy of life is to love Make a list of all you are grateful for, big and small, and count your blessings. The secret of life is to dare Is there something or someone holding you back? "You are offered a new opportunity with each breath to think, decide, choose and act differently – in a way that supports you in being all that you are capable of being. You are not less than. You are more than enough." ~ Brittany Josephina Imagine a string tethered to you. You can't see it because it's been there for so long. The string acts like a weight of fear, doubt, what-ifs, and limiting beliefs. Now imagine taking a pair of scissors and cutting the string, releasing all the things that weigh you down and keep you feeling stuck. From this place, you are free to feel the goodness that you are. Your creative expression is a gift to the world and a powerful way to process your emotions. Perhaps you are inspired to set intentions for the remainder of the year – rather than goals, consider setting intentions. I invite you to remember that you're more than enough as you navigate life's challenges.  As most of you know, our charming Yoga Village, led by Annie Hope, was forced to close its doors during the pandemic. Saying goodbye to our sweet community was a deep loss for all of us.
Today, I am over the moon to share with you that Yoga Village has opened its new doors in Templeton! We are back together and so happy to be welcomed by our new community. We are ready to welcome you into ours. Our Philosophy We believe that yoga is not just a physical practice but a path to inner peace and well-being. Our classes combine breath work, meditation and movement to help you find your center, build a strong foundation and settle into the flow that is your life, on and off the mat. NEW STUDENT INTRO SPECIAL Join us for 2 consecutive weeks of unlimited yoga for $49! This is the perfect way to get to know our community and our classes. We offer a range of classes, workshops and events to support you on your yoga journey. I’d love for you to experience our new space. As our welcome to you, we are offering your first class at no charge. Whether you are brand new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, we have a class for you! You can find our class schedule and more information at https://yogavillagetempleton.com/schedule-of-classes I look forward to sharing this new chapter with you! Here are the ways you can benefit from group yoga classes with me: YOGA VILLAGE TEMPLETON 105 South Main Street, Suite 2 Tuesdays @ 5:30 pm – Balanced Bliss Flow Thursdays @ 4:30 pm – Balanced Bliss Flow Thursdays @ 6:00 pm – Renew Yourself ALL-LEVEL BEACH YOGA End of West Grand, Grover Beach Saturdays @ 10 am (weather permitting) (Parking at Fin's Bar & Grill – We meet at the end of the small boardwalk) |
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