It’s hard to believe it’s almost June 1st, I wonder if anyone else is wondering where May disappeared to, especially as we still often have to pull on warm sweaters as we emerge to the outdoors. We can honour the rhythms of nature and also heed the wisdom of perhaps slowly easing into the transition of spring this year, preparing for what the summer holds for us.
Last weekend we welcomed Kathleen Burr from Ottawa to our studio for a teachers workshop, allowing us to dive into the teachings of resilience and giving us the opportunity to understand what resilience even means for each of us.
The ability to have the internal resources to cope with the challenges and struggles life presents to us. The thing is you see, we have to commit wholeheartedly to engage in a self care practice everyday to maintain a healthy level of internal resources. If this isn’t something you already do it’s a good idea to start with a simple practice, set aside even just 3 minutes a day to breathe, to do nothing else but be mindful and aware of your rhythm as you breathe, filling yourself with fresh energy and exhaling out even just a little bit of stress – see if you can lengthen the exhale phase of your breath. Can you give yourself permission to honour yourself for even 3 minutes a day, gradually making more windows of time to fill your cup back up instead of giving so much of yourself away.
Many of us are really good at holding space and caring for others, but what does the idea and act of self love and self compassion look like for you? Do you have healthy boundaries when it comes to sharing space with others? What do YOU do on a daily basis to make sure you are okay first. Very Important things to consider.
I loved Kathleen’s analogy, that we should never set ourselves on fire to provide someone else warmth. I think many of us do for many reasons, but it’s certainly not sustainable and provides the optimal environment for mental, physical and emotional decline.
We are excited to put these teachings into practice for ourselves, and to be able over time to share these techniques and tools with all of you.
Tonight we are looking forward to our prenatal class from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, an incredible and sacred time in a woman’s life, so beautiful having this special series in our space, bringing so much love and light with each class. If you missed last week and would like to join in, drop – ins are welcome ($16/class). The series will be running Wednesday nights through to June 12th. Contact us if you’d like more information, or would like to find out about future prenatal offerings.
Tonight is a special evening at our studio, not only do we have these beautiful women coming to practice, but following our prenatal class we have a karma class from 7:30 – 8:30 pm for The Hunger Stop – Lanark County Food Bank. This class will be a very gentle movement sequence (led by Amber), bringing in some practices from our rituals of resilience workshop. The second half of the class will be an extended relaxation with the gong, sending you off for a peaceful sleep. 100% of all proceeds will be going towards the Food Bank. We are accepting monetary donations (no donation is too small) on their behalf, as well as non-perishable food items. We also welcome the donation of your practice, the power of setting an intention that no one should go hungry. We hope to see you there!
This Saturday, June 1st, we have a wonderful workshop about the Chakras. Bringing us into a deeper understanding of all the aspects of this human experience. Simonne LaRonde and Barbara Long (from Ottawa) will be co-facilitating this workshop. We do still have spaces, simply give us a call or send us an email if you’d like more information. Details about the workshop are posted on our facebook page and website under the blog workshops and events section.
We will be sending out our summer newsletter as we near Summer Solstice later in June. We have some special classes planned, stay tuned!
Wishing you well on your journey, please know how very much you are loved
In health and wellness
Amber and your yoga family at Surya Daya
