“The definition of a yogi that I like is simple. A yogi is one who leaves a place a little nicer than when they arrived. That’s all it says. It doesn’t say how many series they can do, how much chanting they can do, how much scripture they’ve memorized… If we imagine every step we take on this earth, every interaction we have; it’s like dropping a pebble into a pool of water, and it creates a little pulse of energy. So we can ask ourselves, are those positive or negative vibrations I’m pulsing from?"

-David Swenson

I heard David Swenson on a podcast a few weeks ago. He had many gems to share, and I’m sharing the one above. It reminded me of what I always thought yoga’s purpose was: To clear our lens of perception; to get quiet enough to listen to what’s really important; to observe other people (those we think similarly to and those we don’t) with less judgment; to let go of identifying with the outer aspects of ourselves; to study ourselves and recognize where we are stuck and perpetuating dysfunctional patterns rather then projecting on to others. His words reminded me, too, that while we don’t control a lot of what happens in the world, we are the keeper’s of our own energy. If we tend to it well, we can start to feel more at home in our own skin, and the sense of peace that comes with that can echo out into our little patch of the world.

Even with the mercury rising this summer, the patio seems to be providing a little haven these days; for listening, breathing, smiling, communing with nature and each other, and just being. I keep thinking about the transition into a yoga class…you walk through the gate, through a door, onto a lawn…and you sense that shift in energy. You’ve arrived at a place that was intended for you to feel so welcome that you’re comfortable enough to study yourself and your patterns with friendliness, and to marvel at the ecosystem of your miraculous body-mind-spirit. Yet we don’t just come to yoga to be comfortable; we come to get comfortable with discomfort: To notice the way our body might be changing; to notice we can’t get still; to notice our frustrations and fears. And to know that it’s all part of our experience and practice of being in the world.

I’m planning to continue outdoor yoga through September, as long as the weather cooperates. :) We may shift the Wednesday start time to 5:30pm starting in September. And though it’s my wish that you all stay in the moment as much as possible, here are a few things in the works over here for the fall/winter:

• The Yoga Clinics begin in October (hip & balance clinics will be back!)

• Inspiration: The Breath workshop is coming in the fall

• Monthly restorative workshops throughout the fall/winter months (more details on those at the end of the summer)

• perhaps a weekly class (again…more details to come)

I hope you savor the bounty and beauty of what’s left of this precious summer season. Sending my wishes for love, peace, and the grace and fortitude to meet life’s challenges. May our yoga practice help us to better listen to, and better see, each other so we can leave this place a little nicer than when we arrived. ;)