June LOVE Letter

Greetings Amazing LOVE Community!

This morning, I watch steam curling up from the lake in the early morning light, two sets of geese with each mother leading her goslings around the inlet. Playful ducks crash-land into the water, framed by vibrant trees full of chirpy little birds. The green grass is lush, the trees full of fresh, eager leaves, and the hummingbirds are back in full effect, humming around the sugar water feeder. Everything is buzzing with a giddy Montana spring about to meet summer; the air vibrating with possibility, excitement, and light. This picture of late spring in Montana can be a great inspiration for us in life and in our relationship with yoga and health.

This leads me to a confession…I recently began noticing that I was taking my yoga practice (and teaching) WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. I was caught in a mindset that yoga needed to look or be a certain way to uphold the integrity of it. And don't get me wrong- I still feel very strongly about practicing and teaching the totality of yoga, and not just the poses. Meaning, I will always honor yoga as more than just a physical practice. But in this budding chapter of myself, I don't feel such a need to prove to the world that I teach ALL of yoga, not just the poses. I am letting go of coming from a place of shame or guilt about having to teach yoga a certain way in order for it to be acceptable to the powers that be. Sometimes the best thing we can do is let go, let the box fall apart, and let whatever flows flow.

The very first sutra in the Yoga Sutras (one of the seminal philosophical texts of yoga) is:

Atha Yoga Anushashasanam 

Meaning: Yoga begins NOW, in this moment. "Atha" in the yoga tradition is also seen as an auspicious beginning, so from here this is a new birth. A new auspicious beginning in this chapter of myself, in this place, in this space, on this day, right now!

Now is the time for authenticity, joy, and sharing authentically. Now is the time to release burdens of what others expect or want from us in our personal lives and in our work. There is no restriction in the now, no judgment in the now, no needing the now to be a certain way. It just is what it is. Another way to think about yoga as being now is something that Gabby Bernstein famously said… 

“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is have FUN.”

BINGO! Spirituality (and yoga) do not need to be serious. Being in the NOW provides freedom to be as we are. Letting go and enjoying this moment (and our time on our mats) checks many of the boxes of a well-rounded yoga practice. And who doesn't need more joy in their life right now?

Here are a few things to ponder alongside me this month:

How are your beliefs and perspectives limiting you in your life?

Where are you unconsciously judging and "shoulding" yourselves and others?

Where are you feeling stuck because you’re trying to make everyone happy, or do things the RIGHT way rather than doing them YOUR way?

Where could you let go and lean into joy versus muscling through something and being really stuffy and serious about it?

Where can you bring levity and the uplifting, playful energy of late spring in Montana?

I hope we can always witness each other in whatever we’re moving through, however we’re changing, however we're showing up. This is what YOGA and community are all about. I can’t wait to meet the next 800 versions of you! And- THANK YOU for continually allowing me to grow and change and evolve with you all by my side. Cheers to NOW!

With love + light + and Montana sunshine,

Holly 

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