How We Flow

I've been awake since 4am.  Typically in the spring I begin to emerge into awareness much earlier than in the autumn and winter months.  In the summer 4am wakings are not uncommon for me at all.  I like it.  This being the first one, is a little rough :- /

I've been reminding classes this week that we are in separate from nature.  In fact, we ARE nature!  But far too many of us are disconnected from KNOWING this. Our over-populated culture spends waaaaay too time in artificial environments eating modified or processed food.  Our culture determines what season we are in by the "holiday" display at the grocery store.  This saddens and frustrates me.

It's SPRING!  Our days are longer, we plant seeds (literal and metaphoric), plants are erupting, trees and flowers are blooming.  As the weather warms here in the North East, our bodies awaken.  We see more people running and walking, I experience a surge of increased enrollment in my yoga classes.  And what id the reason these students are coming to yoga?  I hear things like, "I need to firm up", "I have gained so much weight", "I want to get back into shape".  All valid reasons for seeking out a dynamic yoga class.  What saddens me is that these words are often stated with a tone of regret or shame.

Let me say again, IT'S SPRING! Of course we feel like a gelatinous mess :D
We are supposed to gain a bit of weight over the winter.  It is totally natural.  Embrace your curves! And so, let's step into this season with an attitude that we need to lighten up.  A few suggestions:

1. Stop it with the potatoes.  They are not being harvested here right now.  You can enjoy them again in the autumn.
2. Milk, cheese...dairy.  Slow it down.  Dairy products create phlegm and cause sluggishness.  Yogurt can be really good, if it is REALLY good yogurt.  But most of us are buying those cups from the grocery store and tossing them into our lunches....nearly every day because they are easy to pack.  So I am going to say, stop it with the yogurt, too.
3. How about some bitter greens? Some kale! You all know how much I love kale! Get those greens moving through your GI tract and let them scrap the walls and clean you out :)
4. And yes to diverse dynamic movement! Sweat.  A lot. And drink plenty of water!
5. Lastly, stop placing sooooo much emphasis on how look.  How do you feel? 

Spring and autumn stimulate HUGE lifestyle changes. I was recently asked about a student who no longer takes classes with me.  "What happened???" Like it was some great tragedy that they had left.  I have been teaching yoga for over 15 years.  The majority of people who take classes with me now, have only been practicing with me for 2 to 3 years.  There are a  handful who have been with me for 4 to 7 years.  People move on. I do miss them. However, I find it to be really exciting when through the practice of yoga, they get real with what they love and GO FOR IT! 

And what is even more exciting is when they drop back in occasionally and share their amazing life stories.  I love that.  So, for me, it is never good-bye. I'll see you in the flow ♡♡♡