Hello hello Reader

May ends this Sunday with a full moon display (I hope the weather clears enough so we get a glimpse of it!). The older I get, the more I look to the moon and night sky with wonder. And I love it when the lunar cycle lines up with the monthly calendar. It feels like the perfect punctuation for a month ending and an opportunity to let the moonlight illuminate the space and place that have been shrouded in the dark. And to clear the air before turning the page.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JUNE:

June inside the Community is built around the practice of tapas, one of the five niyamas, or personal observances, as taught in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I like to bring a sense of playfulness when I teach about tapas and note that yoga defines tapas as the heat that transforms one's life by consistently practicing discipline as an act of self-respect, VS the Spanish word tapas, which is those delightful little appetizer snacks you get alongside your drink order. ☺️

Tapas, as we'll explore, means pushing yourself to do the things you need to do to help yourself feel your best. Going to bed at a consistent time, choosing to say no to what drains you, and more yeses to what supports you. It means cultivating a kind of mental staying power to stay true to you. In essence, it means being the adult you needed as a child when you were still learning appropriate boundaries and right actions. It means discipline not as punishment, but as an act of self-respect, self-love, and self-care.

It's going to be a rich month.

The new month of offerings will include recordings of the live classes, a few words of wisdom, and other resources all organized around this idea of steady, faithful, and supportive practice — Tapas: Discipline as an Act of Self-Respect. As always, everything gets added to the library as the month unfolds.

📣 Registered Yoga Teachers: these monthly modules will soon be applicable for Continuing Education credits with Yoga Alliance! More details coming soon.

June also marks the start of summer. And this year I'll be offering a Summer Solstice practice with 108 Sun Salutations. Now before you balk at the idea of doing 108 Surya Namaskars, I want to remind you that this is a devotional practice, not a fitness challenge. We move through the salutations mindfully, modifying where need be, even pausing to rest as others continue the movement meditation. More details will be live in the June module.

And speaking of summer, I'm planning a couple of tweaks to the live schedule to accommodate the longer days and outdoor activities. Think more PJ Yoga sessions so your practice is checked off the list before the day gets going, as well as 10 Minutes Tops: a series of short, sweet practices that can be done even on the busiest of days. Stay tuned.

A couple of other things worth a look:

I've been writing over on Substack lately. More personal and more reflective. If that's your kind of thing, come find me there.

And this week's blog post is one I'm particularly fond of. It started with a missed meditation, a dog walk through the woods, and a spotted fawn.

And finally... the Summer Retreat.

I've had questions about this semi-silent retreat I'm hosting in August and the somewhat intimidating idea of practicing quiet time, alone. First I'll say there will be ample time to talk and share, if that's what you wish. Second, there is something really powerful about learning to be in silence. It's amazing how much you hear and learn when you stop and listen. To yourself, and to nature.

Early bird pricing of $499 + tax ends this Sunday, May 31. Visit the retreat link for all the details and to register.

It's going to be a beautiful weekend. I'd love to have you join me.

As always, if you have questions, comments, or queries about the live classes, membership, or anything else Yoga, Ayurveda, mindfulness, or meditation, simply hit reply. I'd love to hear from you.

See you on the mat soon,

xoM

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