I hope you’re doing well during these weeeeird times!! I hope you’re still taking deep breaths. I know I am.
Last week I personally finished my 14-Day Gratitude Challenge. It’s such a simple yet powerful practice. You can start whenever you want. It’s free and will probably only change your life, but whatever…
Something particularly sad occurred for me and many in Salt Lake City last week. On Friday afternoon my beloved home studio, 21st Yoga in Salt Lake City, Utah, announced that they would be closing its doors...forever.
I’m heartbroken. The casualties from COVID are legion.
I really, really loved that studio. I’ve owned and closed two yoga studios. For me running a studio was only matched in difficulty by having to close the studio. I’m sad for me. I’m sad for Lucy and everyone who made that place run so well, and I’m sad for the many people who practiced within those hallowed walls.
I want to offer a huuuuuge public shout out of love and gratitude to Lucy, the owner of 21st Yoga, who really did an incredible job with that studio. She provided a beautiful, non-judgemental, and caring place for so many to teach and practice. She truly made a safe haven for the community. She worked really hard to make it a place of inclusion, especially for the LGBTQ+ crowd. Lucy, with the help of her inimitable staff, kept a beautiful, clean, and welcoming studio. Huge, huge thanks to the anchors of that place, people like John Cottrell, Kim Dastrup, Austin Morrell, Jenny Wigham, and others.
Hats off and big, big, big round of applause for an incredible job.
I was one of the original teachers at 21st Yoga. After only a couple of months working there, I announced that I’d be moving to NYC, then for a vagabonding trip around the US and Europe, ultimately living in the South of France for a year. Nonetheless, every time I came back to offer a training, retreat, or to visit family, there was always a place for me to teach at 21st Yoga. I have always felt welcomed, appreciated, and loved at that studio. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The teachers at 21st yoga are nothing short of family.
I’ll miss you dearly, 21st Yoga.
There was an indomitable energy at 21st Yoga. As you know, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only repurposed and redirected. So, what’s next for all that energy at that incredible studio? What’s next for the yoga community in Salt Lake City and for myself. Who knows but I’m sure something beautiful will arise from the incredible energy that had developed through 21st Yoga. Whatever happens going forward, I’ll always be grateful for 21st.
In the immediate, here’s the ways you can connect with me.
Yoga for Stiffer Bodies Instant Download
I’ve made a Yoga For Stiffer Bodies Instant Download that you can purchase on my website.
This is a 60-minute, full-spectrum yoga class which mobilizes joints, activates and stretches major muscle groups, and restores energy. This Is a moderately-paced yoga class with plenty of options for variations of poses. This Is yoga for however your body is today. In this class, you'll experience standing poses, gentle backbends, hip openers, twists, and forward folds. You'll leave this class feeling energized, alert, and calm.
Online, Live Restore Yoga
Wednesday, May 6th at 10:00 am MDT
In this very gentle, Restore yoga practice, we’ll restore ourselves to wholeness using gentle mobilization and breath work (pranayama) to circulate energy. Then, we’ll change low-vibe energy in the form of muscular tension to high-vibe energy in the form of vitality by doing long, slow stretches. We’ll also set ourselves up on some support for some luxurious resting poses. I’ll be sharing some stories, chanting, and I’ll play my clarinet.
I’ll be recording the class so if you can’t make it, you can still receive a recording of the class and do it when it suits you. Enjoy this class from the comfort of your own home! You’ll want a yoga mat, a blanket, and a cushion (yoga bolster and blocks if you have them). Register on my website. You’ll receive a welcome email with the Zoom link to join our class. You’ll need a computer, laptop, smart phone, iPad, or tablet to attend this class. If you haven’t used Zoom before, it’s pretty simple.
2 Online Yoga Nidra Classes, Wednesdays 6 pm MDT and Sundays 9 am MDT
This Wednesday May 6th 6–7:15 pm MDT. Duality vs Non-Duality
Our True Nature is a non-duelist awareness. Cool. What's non-duality? Well, duality deals with two things, this and that, as separate things. Non-duality melds the two opposites to understand that they equal a third, larger, and more expansive entity, larger than the sum of their parts. Like the combo of chocolate and peanut butter is exponentially much more than either chocolate or peanut butter alone. In this session we will use myths, stories, symbols, and the tool of opposites to explore the part of us that doesn't exist in duality. We will practice experiencing ourselves as the grand Singularity.
Two Online Classes in Partnership with Kim Dastrup
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 pm MDT.
Kim and I share this dynamic asana class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 pm MST. I usually teach Tuesdays and Kim usually teaches Thursdays. Class is by donation, though suggested donation is $10/class or you can buy a pass for the entire months for $50. The button below at the time of class to join. A donation link will be provided at the time of class.
Classes vary each week: Flow, Core, Deep Power, Gentle Flow, Restore, and teacher’s choice.
Usually an active class but appropriate for all levels.
Private Online Yoga Classes
I’d love to meet with you regularly for your private, online yoga session. This can also be a private yoga group session. Together, we can meet your yoga needs, be that for strength, rehabilitation, calm and stress relief. I have a pro-quality studio set up at my house so you will almost feel like you’re at the studio. Plus, I can arrange to send you audio and video recordings as well as lesson plans for yoga homework!
In-Person Socially-Distanced Classes Coming Soon
It’s starting to become safer to offer some socially distanced classes, limited to a smallish group of people. I’ll let you know when I have something put together.
In the meantime, thanks for reading my newsletter and blog. Thanks for your incredible support. These are crazy times to be sure and we all gotta take it a day at a time and keep breathing. We gotta put ourselves in a good place through yoga, meditation, and gratitude.