Embracing Winter

As the cold winds of winter blow, Nature shows up in beautiful ways.

After weeks of snow and ice, the lacy crystals, offering exquisite beauty and awe, are everywhere, sparkling in the sunshine. Yes, it's still winter, and the sharp edge of strong winds still demand that we brace ourselves by leaning our bodies into it.  Our snowshoes bury themselves with our weight, and one at a time, we lift them and take another step. It's a journey well worth travelling, for the silence and dormancy of the natural world remind us of the magic of our journey on this mother ship we call Earth.

A dear friend and mentor would often remind us that caring for the planet is dependent upon having significant connections and experiences

in the natural world.

Without feeling in our whole being what it is like to hold a hand up to the wind as we try to protect our faces from the pelting snow, the appreciation for the warmth of a wood fire is but an example of something taken for granted.  Instead, the flames from the wood that feeds the fire represent decades of embodied sunshine being returned to us in the form of the most delicious warmth and comfort. The food that feeds our bodies is the gift offered to us by the presently dormant fertile soils upon which we now roam.

Our yoga practice is a coming home to 'the warmth' of our soul; a coming home to the timelessness of the magic that dwells within each of us. It's a trek into the challenges of obstacles that require our fullest attention and effort.  It's one that defines our humanity, as with each breath, we aspire to be our best and most beautiful selves.  It's a tree that weathers the windy winter storms.  It's a warrior that requires that we dig our feet down to hold our balance, and it's a dancer that cannot stop dancing. It's also a meal lovingly made with our care and attention. So this is why Gabriel and I have decided to offer Yoga Alignment, as well as Food as Medicine workshops. These workshops are ways to better understand the uniqueness of each season, and how we may navigate them with ease, and as well, to better understand how our bodies show up on our yoga mat.

Wishing you all that brings you close to the magic of Nature, draws you into alignment, feeds your body, and finds your shining light - inside and out.

 Jai Bhagwan