May LOVE Letter

Dear LOVE Community,

The month of May brings us one of my favorite holidays: Mother’s Day! It feels so good to be cherished and honored for an entire day for a role that truly is the hardest out there. The entire process of motherhood- from trying to conceive, to finding out about pregnancy, to being pregnant, to delivering, and then figuring out an entirely new life is the ultimate hero's journey. This month, we wish all the mothers, those trying to conceive or adopt, and ALL the women in our community and beyond the most blessed, radiant, love-filled Mother’s Day. My heart goes out to all of you, regardless of where you exist on this path; please know deeply that you ALL deserve to be honored and acknowledged here. No matter where you are on this journey, you matter and are welcomed, accepted, and deeply loved.

In yogic philosophy, Ma—the Divine Mother—and Shakti—the primal creative energy—are deeply revered as the sacred feminine force that gives rise to and sustains all of life. Shakti is the creative force behind all of life—the dynamic, flowing force behind all movement, transformation, and manifestation in the universe. When we acknowledge and honor shakti, or the creative energy that enlivens everything within and around us, we honor the earth, our bodies, and our emotions. Yoga teaches us to push nothing away, but to bring it all in- to use our past experiences as fuel for transformation. Rather than push unwanted parts of our bodies and emotions away, we welcome them in and use them as a catalyst for growth. Our yoga practice becomes a way of not escaping the world, but of seeing it all as an expression of the Divine Mother. This week, consider devoting your time on the mat, and especially time off the mat, to the elements of shakti, yin, mother earth, nature, and surrender. In a world often dominated by doing, striving, and force, we can turn to Shakti to restore balance—to embrace intuition, fluidity, and surrender.

I regularly turn to the goddesses and archetypes of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Durga for their individual teachings about how to show up in this world. Another way to honor the MA this week is to choose one of the goddesses that seems to speak more to you in this period of your life, and invoke her while on your mat. More generally, practice seeing your chosen goddess show up in the world around you. Look for her in the leaves, trees, rivers, mountains, your own body and mind, and in your relationships. 

Saraswati: The Wisdom of Flow and Creation

Saraswati is the goddess of Creation, FLOW, knowledge, music, art, speech, and learning. She wears all white and rides upon a beautiful white swan down the river Ganga. She inspires us to step into flow by surrendering and also by accessing our truth and living in flow with that. She teaches us the value of listening, clarity, discernment, and truth. She asks you to carefully consider t the words you speak and the thoughts you think. Invoke her when starting a new project, going into a difficult conversation, when writing or producing art, or when you need a creative boost.

Lakshmi: The Wisdom of Abundance and Gratitude

Lakshmi is the goddess of LIFE! She governs wealth, beauty, and prosperity—not only material wealth but also abundance in relationships, health, and joy. Her presence invites us to live with gratitude and generosity. Lakshmi teaches that abundance flows through appreciation, right action, and alignment with dharma (purpose). She is also a reminder that beauty is sacred, and that our surroundings and actions can reflect divine harmony. To invoke her, meditate on gratitude and abundance in and around you. Share your gifts, create beauty in all that you do, and live with purpose.

Durga: The Wisdom of the Warrior; Power, Courage, and Compassion

Durga is the fierce protector, the warrior goddess who rides a lion and battles injustice and ego with fearless strength compassion. She symbolizes the strength within us to face inner and outer challenges with resolve. Durga reminds us that spiritual growth requires both love and boundaries—that softness and fierceness can coexist. Invoke her by stepping into your power with courage. Fight for truth, protect what is sacred, and don’t fear your strength. 

Mothers are an embodiment and a celebration of what it means to live with both feet on the ground, a tall and strong spine, and an open heart. Until Mother's Day, consider offering your practice to empowerment, devotion, and feminine energy, a reminder for us all to trust, to rise, and to honor the sacred pulse that connects all beings. 

Join us on the mat. Let’s move, breathe, and honor the MA together: Jai Ma! Victory to love. Victory to the feminine.

With Heart,

Holly Purdy 

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