Hello Lovelies –

Well I missed my self-imposed deadline of the New Moon for this post. I simply had a very full week and didn’t try to cram it in and overwhelm my system with another demand for my energy and time. Then the weekend arrived and I chose to give myself some downtime, some nature time and some personal creative time. And so here I am a week ‘late’ and right on time. The idea of syncing up with the moon works for me (most of the time). I track the cycles and notice the energies. And sometimes it simply doesn’t. I am practicing not forcing the issue, my self or life. This is the real life practice of compassion and presence that so many of my teachers speak to and the teachings encourage. Yet our culture doesn’t seem to know what it means to honor an inner knowing or need. Or how to listen to a shift of trajectory that comes from deep listening and love.

This is the practice of not ‘shoulding’ on myself! Do you have all the ‘should’ shouting at you the way I do? This is my mind imprinted with expectations and ideas from society and family and more that there is a way to be and it demands perfection. But I am human and my perfection is in my imperfection. This past month our motif in my Monday morning Yoga for Resilience class has been tending the Wisdom Centers of the Heart and Hara (belly). These centers have neurons and nerve systems that inform us about safety, beauty, connection, and so much more. And yet, we tend to think all the thinking comes from our head! My invitation to you is to pause on occasion and put a hand on your heart or on your belly and check in to see what your heart sees and what your gut knows. Is it different from what your mind thinks? Sometimes we receive confirmation and sometimes we receive a differing opinion! Often our mind has been deeply informed by the society and folks around us and we forget that there are other possibilities of knowing and action.

So Quarter Moon blessings to you. The fact that this missive didn’t come last week is probably more in my awareness than yours and I am getting more and more okay with my imperfections. And as a result I know I can hold everyone else’s with more ease as well. This post feels a little disjointed but it’s what I’ve got today and my belly is telling me to rest and my heart is telling me to be generous with myself. I am quieting the ‘should’ and allowing for the ‘coulds’. Let me know your thoughts. I so appreciate our conversations.

May we slow down enough to listen to the wisdom in our body

May we honor our own rhythms and personal cycles 

May we find a way to integrate the knowing of belly, heart and head

May we bring blessings and presence to all we encounter

Practice Prompts:

• Practice not ‘shoulding’ on yourself. Anytime you find yourself saying, ‘well, I should…’, pause and consider where that voice of demand and expectation is coming from. And gently inquire why ‘should’ you? Let this be a gentle and open inquiry and see what you discover.
• When you find yourself trying to figure the situation, the person, the thing out, pause and put a hand on your belly or on your heart and listen. Is there any information there that might help you understand, feel and intuit into the circumstance with different or fresher wisdom?
• Explore the possibility of being messy and imperfect. What comes up? Can it be okay to be human and vulnerable? Can you offer yourself some sweet understanding and some compassion for all the demands that are made on you and your need to not do it all sometimes?
• I offer one to one sessions in person in Bend, Oregon and virtually all over the world. If you would like to learn more about my offerings please email me or schedule a free 20 minute Exploratory Session.

Live Streaming Practice Opportunities:

• Yoga for Resilience, Mondays, 9:30-11am PT, livestream through Body of Insight (NOTE NEW EARLIER TIME!)
• All Levels Yoga, Sundays… May 14, Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27, 10-11:30am PT, livestream through Two Dog Yoga
• Continuum Inquiry Playshop, Sunday, April 30, 4-6pm PT, livestream through Body of Insight
• On Demand Yoga Practices…All Levels… through Two Dog Yoga (practice with me anytime, anywhere!)

Inspirational Wisdom:

The Map You Make Yourself …

You have looked
at so many doors
with longing,
wondering if your life
lay on the other side.

For today,
choose the door
that opens
to the inside.

Travel the most ancient way
of all:
the path that leads you
to the center
of your life.

No map
but the one
you make yourself.

No provision
but what you already carry
and the grace that comes
to those who walk
the pilgrim’s way.

Speak this blessing
as you set out
and watch how
your rhythm slows,
the cadence of the road
drawing you into the pace
that is your own.

Eat when hungry.
Rest when tired.
Listen to your dreaming.
Welcome detours
as doors deeper in.

Pray for protection.
Ask for the guidance you need.
Offer gladness
for the gifts that come
and then
let them go.

Do not expect
to return
by the same road.
Home is always
by another way
and you will know it
not by the light
that waits for you

but by the star
that blazes inside you
telling you
where you are
is holy
and you are welcome
here.

~ Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons