Getting into a new Flow with the first Autumn New Moon

I had planned to attend Clay's vinyasa class at The Yoga Room this morning...but my 6 1/2 month old boy decided he wanted to nurse 30 min. before class started.  I did zoom there but clocking in at 7 minutes too late, well, that is not so cool when it's a pretty full class already.  So, I began to head back home but it was a brilliant morning and heck, I already had the time to myself slotted, so why not head to the beach?  Nantucket is splendid this time of year.  I was the only person on the beach.  With water bottle and yoga mat in tow, I took some solitude to honor the Libra New Moon and work on balancing asanas.  A butterfly greeted me, seabirds twitted about, and then just as I was entering nataranjasana, a sweet seal swam up to greet me!  The sea sparkled and I am grateful.  So THIS is how one flows.  So happy I didn't just head home.  Learning to find balance in life is probably the hardest thing humans attempt, but yoga (and striving to live your yoga) is one of the only ways I have experienced it to be somewhat possible.  These days I find myself doing yoga asanas on walks while Isak is in the baby bjorn, in front of the tv if my husband and I want to watch something, out on the deck while baby is sleeping in his swing...so when I do have time slotted to myself just for me, well I better use it to breathe and move my body intuitively.
I am awakened a bit from the weekend, when the uber inspiring, down to earth, so experienced yogis of the White Lotus Foundation came to lead a retreat.  Ganga White and Tracey Rich were here to teach 3 days of asana, pranayama, meditation.  I was only able to sign up for the Saturday morning session, but I was so happy that I did!  I have not taken a workshop with such "high profile" yogis in the longest time where there was no ounce of ego from either of them, and I felt at ease and connected to learning new ways of looking at the breath and asanas.  I have been thinking about it ever since and am already scheming in my brain how I can study with them again someday.  Thank you Caitlin Marcoux for getting them to come here and share their energies!
With these last couple of days of listening to myself and doing what I feel, it's a strong Libra New Moon message.  I am ready to start a new cycle and to stop beating myself up.  As a new mom, life can be confusing and it's easy to get caught up in the rat race of shoulds and should nots.  I've felt a little lost at times knowing that I'm not back to teaching yet in Boston, I'm not working on marketing myself...will my students remember me?  Will I still be a desirable teacher?  Will I move out of mommy brain fog and remember how to be a smooth, knowledgable teacher?  Of course I will.  But it's taken me 6 months to find my flow again (in yoga practice, in motherhood, in who I am) and well, maybe it will take 6 more to get back to my teaching groove.  I don't care for the new competitiveness of the yoga world.  It leaves new mommies who like to live a simple life feeling like they don't exist anymore.  There's always a hot new yogini to take my place.

When thoughts like this enter my realm, I go back to the books I'm reading at the moment (Yoga as Medicine, Living Your Yoga, Iron Butterflies: Women Transforming Themselves and the World) and I take it all in.  I look at my sweet, beautiful, fun baby boy and I take it all in.  I kiss my supportive and amazing husband and I take it all in.  This is what my life is about right now.  My flow is a slow flow.  I will return to the fast paced flow soon enough and then I will yearn for this slow life back.  That's usually how it works, right?  But maybe I'm learning.  Maybe I'll hold on to some of this slowness and bring it back to the city.  Balance.  For now, I eat a little chocolate each day, dance with the flowers, feel the wind in my warrior, and love it just as it is.

Happy Autumn Equinox!

Here we go again...into a new season, and a new time for change.  The Libra New Moon is approaching and today is the time to bring life back to balance after the carefree time of summer.  Let's plant new internal seeds for more peace, joy, prosperity in our lives and let go of loneliness, confusion, chaos.

These photos are from last weekend (when dear friends were visiting and we made flower essences from the garden) up until yesterday (where my family and I stumbled upon an elf house in the woods).  Isak ended up on the mat with me after his nap, at the end of my practice!  We sent our energy out for the new season together.  Nantucket is so much like Iceland on days like this.  Fog and mist surround us here, and all glows with magic.

"When love speaks to you, believe in it, though its voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden."  --From The Prophet

End of Summer Update

Hi hi my yoga friends,

I think of all of you SO very much.  It's true!  Random visions of many of you will pop into my brain when I'm practicing or when taking a class.  I'll see all of your different versions/alignments of asanas, I'll feel the energy from an old class if I'm practicing to an old playlist, or I'll hear some of your voices asking questions or telling me stories.  This is all proof for how much I miss teaching and how much it's such a part of me.  Since becoming a mother, I feel an even deeper urge to DO something more with teaching.  To create something that will take it to another level.  This is my new journey and I am excited to see what may come of it.  

DO share your latest yoga stories with me!  It will help me reconnect with you all and still be around (sort of).  Where are you practicing?  What has changed in your practice?  Anything you'd like to see different for when I do return?  Would love to hear your thoughts.  

So, I say final Summer update because it IS still summer ya know?  Maybe not in the sense of school or vacations or whatnot, and maybe the weather is changing, but we do have 2 more true weeks of summer left.  I hope you're all enjoying it in various ways and preparing to celebrate the coming season with a new spirit of patience and east.  

And patience?  Well, I talked a bit about it in the last blog post.  And now I need it even more, as we have found out that the work on our home in Somerville is probably going to last until November!  November?!  I won't be returning home until then, and maybe not even back to teaching til sometime after that?  Ugh.  Okay, deep breath, and again, patience.  

One thing that is very cool about this?  We get to continue living on the "faraway island" of Nantucket!  Now that it's beginning to be off-season here, we are much more on our own, with fewer visitors, and less people and tourists around.  It's really been special to be here all summer.  And now instead of being back to the daily grind, we get a couple more months to take in the magic of this land.  And to do it in autumn!  Plus, we got married here almost one year ago, and it will be lovely to celebrate here again, now with our little Isak.  

Another positive about getting to stay here longer?  More time to continue cultivating my practice.  If I were back in town again, I'd have millions of "things to do" on my schedule.  Out here I get to practice when I make the effort to, which has been often (yay!), around 5-6 days a week.  I'm so much stronger now (6 months postpartum)...hello chaturanga and continued vinyasas!  Still just working on getting some inversions back and such, but am in no rush to hurry on the advanced asanas.  In time.  

Luckily, I get to keep attending class at The Yoga Room.  It's such a peaceful studio with skilled teachers.  It's a joy to find a presence there and develop some relationship with the community over here.  Thank you Bettina, Sally, Paul, Elizabeth, Caitlin, Shannah, Clay...

Next time I write, it will be the new season and we'll all be in a new place internally, yet again.  Do connect with me on facebook or on here if you haven't already.

So, here's to fun yoga, new experiences, bright futures for us all.  

love, love,

Jenn

P.S.  My possible Family-oriented Yoga Vacay to St. Lucia-2012 is still in the cards.  If you or others you may know might be interested, contact me as soon as you can!  The earlier I know of interested folks, the easier it will be for me to make it happen.  Plan is for first week of March...

Oh, and a few more fun photos!

Since I won't be back to teaching in the Cambridge and Somerville areas until mid-fall, I'll try to update with more photos from time to time.  Isak is 5 1/2 months now and we're all doing great!

Practice, Practice, and August brings Patience

Here is my day so far....
Wake up with my boys sometime around 7:30.  Play and relax a bit with morning smoothie, coffee, and try to see if I can make it to the morning yoga class.  Not in the cards today due to timing, but ended up becoming a blessing because I got to do a full (I mean almost 90 min. of yoga) practice outside in a shady spot with my husband painting and my baby sleeping next to me.  What bliss!  For this to have happened was such a gift because rarely does the nap schedule of Isak fall into place just so...where I can get in a full practice (usually it's 20 min. here, 30 min. there, etc.).  Plus, for our whole little family to get to be together in the same space (near my mother in law's beautiful garden!) doing what we love for a piece of the morning... so rejuvenating.

You see, we've not been succeeding too well as of the last couple of weeks in keeping to our goals of the day.  My practice has been inconsistent for various reasons and it started to get my spirits down.  It can be hard enough to figure out time management as an individual, but then throw in an infant and try to get things done!  I now totally feel for and relate to all parents (especially you, Mom's) out there.  You'd think it'd be easy for us out here on Nantucket.  We are out of our usual weekly work during this time of transition, and it's amazingly peaceful of course.  We have had a lot of family around and visitors, plus my Isak and I just took a week long trip to Philly to see the Pici crew.  So, trying to schedule in everything we need to get done as well as personal time while also needing to visit with family members and tend to everyday things (cooking, laundry, cleaning up); well it can be overwhelming and exhausting.  Having an infant, may, above all other things, teach you patience.  For now at least, time is on his little hands.  Isak can only tell me what he needs through cries, gurgles, and facial expressions.  Learning them is the best thing in the world.  Sometimes I end up spending much longer than I should just holding him or sitting and playing with him, when I could be getting things done.  Another yogini mom friend of mine sent out an article this week about parenthood.  In it, the author discussed this very issue of 'being in the moment,' because your babies just move forward and grow so fast.  So I am working on letting go of dirty clothes, diapers, unwritten emails, missed chances of reading that article or searching for new music, because I don't need not doing those things bringing me down.  This is the time for me to be slow at life.  To be off the radar for a bit.
This doesn't mean I don't get time for ME each day.  And that is a whole new concept I am figuring out and trying to incorporate into this new life.  It simply means I have to be patient with myself, my baby, and my husband.  I have to manage time in a whole new way, and be okay if things don't go as planned.  And then some days, like today, it all just falls into place.  Ahh!

Mid-Summer Update

Greetings everyone,

Here we are in mid-July already!  The summer is flying by and up until now it has been quite the eventful and busy one.  June brought the eclipses upon us and with them, lots of work.  My family and I spent the month packing up our entire house and loading it into a pod in our driveway so that construction work could begin in early July.  We made the decision during my pregnancy that we'd create a more comfortable, energy-efficient house for our new family.  Let me tell you, "moving" with a 3 month old takes three times longer than normal.  On top of that, my grandfather passed away mid-June, bringing sadness and an inward state of mind.  We then had two weekends in a row of weddings to attend before finally completing our house pack-up and heading here to Nantucket for the rest of the summer.  Luckily, the weddings were for dear friends and were padded with extra support from such friends on our house.  The sleep-deprivation, stress, and just overall lack of energy since giving birth have weakened my immune system in the process, and I've now had a couple eye infections and a week-long bad cold.  But things are for sure looking up.  

I am grateful that I've been able to stay emotionally stable and positive through this all.  In fact, I turned 30 on the very day we headed to Nantucket, and it was as if the Universe had been telling me to get away for awhile all along!  I can now rest in the quiet of nature out here in the moors of this very special island.  The sounds of the birds at 4:00 every morning (a usual hour when I am awake nursing my boy) are so joyful and life-affirming.  I also love the new sounds of the whippoorwill at night!  Have you ever heard this bird?  It's a new favorite.  Plus, we've discovered a hummingbird nesting in the top of a pine cone on the tree right outside our bedroom window.  She has become a part of our life and we are constantly checking to see if she's there and she and her eggs are okay.  It's more than beautiful.  On top of all this wildlife, there are such lovely and colorful sunsets, the smell of the sea, less internet and phone connections, and lots of helping hands as of late from my husband's family for whom we've been staying.  It's nice to finally get a chance to read, listen to music, take a bath, and do YOGA!  

Yes, Yoga.  I've been mostly practicing in our little cottage and outside, at every little chance I get (see photo attached of me doing gomukhasana arms with Isak napping on my legs).  I am also excited that I just got a 10 class card to The Yoga Room, a very nice studio over here on the island.  I had been hoping to host a weekend workshop or retreat over here this summer.  However, I realized that not only was I a little late in making contacts, but I was not yet ready to lead a group when I am still in the early stages of finding my own practice again.  For instance, I went to a vinyasa class over here last week that left me sore for nearly 4 days!  I mean, I have been practicing since Isak's birth, but definitely not tons of chaturangas and warriors in a row...so that class hit me hard.  I am drawn now to more balanced efforts of a slower flow, yin, and hatha style these days and am for sure feeling stronger every day.  

So, my pose of the moment is Chaturanga Dandasana, and moving back and forth from high plank into it.  It's not only working my core but my shoulders, chest, and back.  What are some of your poses of the summer?  Do share with me!  I miss seeing everyone at Karma Yoga Studio in Cambridge or Bow Street Yoga in Somerville.  I had hoped to return to teaching in September, but the contractors are are not certain as to the end date of the project on our house.  So at this point in time it is looking more like my return will be later in the fall than anticipated (October or even November).  This only means I will have more time to get re-yogafied and ready to guide you all on the mat again.  

Plus, we must not forget my Isak!  He is now in the seriously cute stage of learning to roll over, laugh a lot, sleeping more at night, and being generally happy.  Every second is a wonder and I would have it no other way.  Having the chance to spend at least the first 6 months of his life with no work obligations is rare and beautiful.  I am so very grateful to get to do it.  David and I are simply taking in and loving our new life as parents.  Living on an island for a few months sure helps with that!  

Things of interest:

Reading:  Living Your Yoga by Judith Hansen Lasater.  My favorite discussion in it so far is about discipline.  It's such a good lesson in my new life transition now, and she talks about it in much more surprising and enjoyable ways.  

"Whether you are driven or resistant, the medicine is the same: do what is truly possible with unwavering commitment to giving yourself to the moment.  Without this intention, practice becomes another task to be completed and it loses its ability to transform."  

Listening to:  Carefully Taught--a jazz album by my amazing Somerville neighbor, Ruthie Ristich.  

I'm also anxiously awaiting Bjork's new album!

Planning: Family Friendly Yoga and Wellness Vacation in St. Lucia!  March 2012

--I have already sent out the details via email, but if you never received that email, let me know.  I will also do another post soon with more.  I am very excited about this possibility and would love to have any of you with your sweet little family to join me and mine!

$1650 per person--single occupancy

$1295 per person--double occupancy

If children are staying in the room with parents (ie don't take a bed that could be occupied by an adult) then the accommodations are free.  If a second bedroom is needed for children we'll have to work out a room rate, something as such:

Children 0-2 TOTALLY FREE (unless they require a separate room....)
Children 3-12 $250 (again, unless they require a separate room...)
Children 12 and up Depends on accommodations and cottage availability

Alrighty friends, that's it!  It's been some time since I had written so thanks for reading and being a part of my yoga life.  If you find yourself over here on Nantucket in the coming months, I am available for private yoga sessions, or simply to meet up for a tea and a hello.  

Sending lots of summer energy and love your way!!  

Til soon,

Jenn

Brand New Summer Playlist

I'm practicing to this set of tunes lately.  And trying to focus on a mindful, slow, strengthening flow.  Getting into those creaks in my back, hips, legs that scream at me from too much baby holding/bending/sitting.  And working carefully on those abs.
I look forward to sharing my new insights about the body when I return to that post on the mat in front of a class in a couple more months.   More importantly, sharing the new insights that have developed in my mental state, and the pure, ecstatic joy of love that a baby brings!
A year ago, I was in Iceland with a select few on my yoga adventure that took us all to new growth & magic within.  And then my Isak came to my body.  This playlist was inspired from those memories.  And now this summer is so brand new.

Summer Fog--The Album Leaf
Because of the Blood--Sin Fang
Blank Pages--The Album Leaf
Easier--Sin Fang
Within Dreams--The Album Leaf
Slow Lights--Sin Fang
Full Moon--Efterklang
Calgary--Bon Iver
Stand Still--The Album Leaf
Sing From Dream--Sin Fang
Until the Last--The Album Leaf
Tied Knots--The Album Leaf
Iridescence--Hildur Gudnadottir