Inclusivity In A Confusing Time

“I am here to keep becoming truer, more beautiful versions of myself again and again forever. To be alive is to be in a perpetual state of revolution. Whether I Like it or not, pain is the fuel of revolution. Everything I need to become the woman (human) I’m meant to be next is inside my feelings now. Life is alchemy, and emotions are the fire that turns me to gold. I will continue to become only if I resist extinguishing myself a million times a day. If I can sit in the fire of my own feelings, I will keep becoming.”

Glennon Doyle

Becoming a more truer version of ourselves, perhaps that is the biggest learning of this pandemic. I have never questioned my values, my relationships, my integrity, my responsibilities, and the people and things that I love and care about, so much as during the past year. 

My whole life has pivoted, in ways that were necessary both professionally and personally.

 I listened to a video the other day, with Simon Sinek, which seemed to encapsulate exactly what I was feeling.  We can’t go back to the way things were, that is the nature of change.  Many people talk about when things go back to normal, when things are stable again – but you know the truth is, life isn’t stable.  And I wonder what the heck is normal?  In the history of my life, I  don’t think I could ever describe my life as “normal”, nor would I truthfully want to. 

We are constantly changing, and resisting that change only limits our growth.  Can we be creative in how we move with the flow of life, especially when the waters are a little extra choppy.  I urge you to look at how you respond in times of crisis in your own life, be honest with yourself here.

 Then I urge you to look at the ways you keep yourself resourced?  On a daily basis.  How do you fill yourself back up?

 People are feeling a lot of different emotions, and if you’re anything like me you are feeling not only your own often intense waves, but also the ripple effects of those around you.  My anchors keep reminding me to be a little extra gentle right now, and I want to remind you to do the same. 

One of the saddest things I am attuning to these days is all of the division.  What makes your decisions more right than anybody else?  For you, absolutely, but for them?  For them, the only person that knows their whole story and understands their reasoning – is them.  So please, maybe ask more questions, and be a little extra gentle right now. 

As I make decisions in my own life with the ways I am in service, I am really sitting with it all.  I feel we should all have the space to speak our truth, and to not face judgement for that truth – is that not how we grow stronger in ourselves, and as a community?  As humans it is my hopes we would have empathy for one another, especially during times of crises. 

I was vaccinated so I could see my mom who lives in a different city from me, probably for the last time.  I was told I would not have been able to have touched her had I not made that choice, and potentially not even be able to be with her – I knew that was how I could best reach her.  I have an autoimmune disorder which added to this picture, and made all these decisions a little more complex, none of this has been easy.

To the best of my ability I sit with all sides of this story we’re moving through globally, I certainly don’t have clarity and am not afraid to admit I don’t know what the best thing to do is, I am confused – I sense like many. 

 I often sit long and quietly with all of this.

 I have had conversations around holding in person classes again, and I started to cry as I imagined myself on one side of the fence, and people I have held safe space for over the years, people dear to my heart – on the other side of the fence because they made a different choice in alignment with who they are and what they need.

I have decided to continue with my online classes as we move through the fall and winter, a safe neutral space where people can just be held. 

I don’t want to exclude anyone, or add to the division, especially holding classes responsibly with the intention to  help us all to heal and to find our way again.  For me, I need to sit with this all a little longer, so I can move with integrity, honouring the deep respect I feel in my soul for all of you, and staying anchored with compassion regardless of what and who shows up. 

 These decisions are complicated, especially when we’re faced with hurt hearts because people, it seems these days, often don’t even want to take the time to really listen to your story.  Many are also scared to be honest and talk about being confused or decisions made – for fear of rejection. 

We all have our stories, and can we try to hear eachother, especially when it’s not comfortable  – it’s when we need it most.

Sending you so much love on your journey,

With a gentle heart

Amber

If you’d like to join me online for a class you can register by clicking on the days you’d like to join, and you can purchase class passes here

I will continue to hold some outdoor forest classes, private sessions, and move with fluidity through these changing times – the changing times of an entire life lived. I will eventually return to in person classes, but I need more time to sit with this all.

Supporting you with some soul nourishment and self-reflection, Jessica and I created our soul wisdom cards, made with love from our hearts to yours.  Find out more here.

Saturday morning session for vitality!

“Over time the lessons we’ve learned, the knowledge we’ve gained and assimilated through practice and reflection become a part of who we are.  We use the deeper self knowledge, loving inner connection, and the ability to listen and trust ourselves to respond to our ever-changing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.  This is how practice evolves and deepens over time, resulting in ever more expansive ways of being with ourselves and in the world.”

Barrie Risman

Good morning, Sat Naam and Namaste all of you amazing humans!!

As I dive into the world of trauma informed yoga this weekend with Kathleen Burr, I wanted to send you a practice video for our Saturday morning class today.  It makes my heart happy that we can practice together in this way.

When I recorded the class, I imagined each of you from my regular Saturday morning community class with me, in my living room!  Adapting to this new way of holding space for one another, and feeling incredibly grateful to be on this journey with YOU!

When we come together in person or through these online classes, it’s really important to take a moment to connect with the community energy and draw strength from the collective of people practicing with you.   You can do this simply by taking a few deep breaths and imagining a circle of people – a circle of which you are a part of.  Breathe that image right into your heart, and notice the feelings that arise.

Today we’ll be moving through a very accessible kriya, for balancing your glandular system and bringing health and vitality to your whole body.  This specific sequence of postures is designed to keep your spine, organs, and nervous system strong and healthy.

To join me for this practice click here

This is a kundalini based practice, although  when I approach my mat, holding space for you,  I am finding as time passes and we continuously evolve so does the way I hold that space.  I have so much respect, gratitude and reverence for these ancient teachings (over 5000 years old) and a deep respect for all of my teachers.   When I approach this practice my intention is to honour and integrate the continual changes of a lifetime; encouraging you to always check in with yourself first, live and move with integrity in alignment with your own moral compass, embody your practice in a way that celebrates you and your unique needs in every breath, every posture, and in every moment.

Even if you’re not one of our regular students that come together on Saturday mornings, I do hope you’ll join us for this practice.  I have made the link downloadable, so if this session resonates for you, you can revisit it anytime you’d like.

I’m holding you in my heart, and I will be back offering a live online class next Saturday, I hope to see you then.

I’m also including Lindsey’s class from earlier this week here, as I know we had a few technical difficulties as we navigate this steep learning curve, and we wanted to make sure you had access to the class if it would resonate for you to practice with Lindsey, she’s really pretty amazing.

As a little extra bonus, I’m including a very short and sweet little breath meditation, which you can access by clicking here

When you hear the wind blowing, imagine it’s taking with it any stress, any tension, and any distracting thoughts.  The wind is our friend, and it makes itself very known in this little video, making space for health and healing.

Take care of yourself, and I’m so excited to share the information and the wisdom of this weekend with you all.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Much love

Amber

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