Spring is here!

 

'Spring is not a season, but a promise- a whisper from the earth that in time, all things will bloom again.'

Olivia Ann Rose Clark

Spring is here! Longer days, sunshine, and flowers are coming our way. The transition from winter into spring is one of my favorites, bringing in a breath of fresh air and warmer temperatures. Spring is nature's new year, the season of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. The energy of spring is growth and it can be a great time of year for intentions and goal setting. Spring intentions are like seeds, they start out small, requiring time, rest, and patience before they start to grow. This is not a grand life adjustment, it's the mundane actions of your daily habits, the rituals of life that could use a refresh, simple shifts that cultivate new perceptions. Spring is a slow yawn, a long stretch, and a pause before rushing into the events of our day. As the seasons change so do the way we function within them, closets may get a gentle clean out, coats and shoes change up for more outdoor time, we may wake up earlier to practice meditation, read, journal, go for a walk or a run, have breakfast on the porch to feel the sun and listen to the birds, or wave/chat to neighbors going by. Spring gives us an opportunity to begin again, to start or try something new. Give yourself time and space to connect with what is meaningful in your life, what gives you a sense of purpose, what sparks the fire in your heart and mind? 

Plant the seeds of intention and see what blooms for you. 

I recently listened to a podcast called Capacities for Longevity Part 1: Strength which I found insightful. This is the first discussion of a 3 part podcast series on this theme, the other 2 episodes haven't been released yet. I love the question asked within this conversation, "what do you want the last years of your life to feel like?". This resonated with me as a movement teacher and personally as I recently made a pact with my kids to be senior citizens together, which means I need to make it to at least 90 years old(!) -and I want to travel, explore, climb mountains, and swim oceans with my husband. This podcast gives practical guidelines around functional mobility, endurance, and strength training for longevity. 

With regard to quality of life and longevity, there are 5 pillars of wellbeing to consider. 

I'll share them here as an offering for you:

1: Nutrition ~ a balanced diet full of nutrients supports a healthy body and mind. 

2. Exercise ~ physical activity is essential for maintaining mobility, strength, and endurance.

3. Sleep ~ our bodies and minds need rest, all the systems of the body require sleep to function properly. 

4. Mental Health ~ reducing/managing stress, learning new things, and seeking out support when life feels overwhelming.

5. Social Connections ~ finding a sense of community and connection with others contributes to our sense of purpose and emotional wellbeing.

As we move into Spring, here is my teaching schedule + FREE yoga & meditation links: 

Wednesday Chair Yoga (10a-11a) in Melrose, MA at the Metro North YMCA

Thursday Mat Yoga (8:45a-9:45a) and Chair Yoga (10a-11a) in Melrose, MA at the Milano Senior Center

I'll continue to sub in at all 4 Metro North YMCA locations as my schedule allows. My next Yoga Flow sub date is Sunday, 3/30 8:30a-9:30a in Melrose, MA

The Melrose Public Library has an anticipated opening date of April 15, 2025! 

I hope to continue our FREE community library yoga series in-person, details and dates TBD...

In the meantime, I have recorded 2 NEW yoga/movement practices for you!

Wrist Love is a ~20 minute practice that focuses on wrist mobility and flexibility as well as grip strength.

Gentle Yoga for Spring is a ~ 40 minute yoga flow using yoga props for extra support as we transition from winter into spring.

Meditation highlights for this season:

Awaken Your Energy Body is a guided meditation that leads you through the energy centers of your body.

 Moving With The Breath is a guided movement flow that may be helpful when you need a break or a transition point within your day. 

Wishing you ALL a beautiful spring,

Michelle 

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning both "circle" and "center" representing the visible world around us and the invisible world within us. For the spring equinox, I made a nature mandala of rose quartz, picture jasper, red jasper, scolecite, and a snail shell surrounded by hyacinth flowers and seeds for the pollinators. Honoring the energy of earth connection, this mandala symbolizes meaningful action, reaching out, being a part of the collective community, and making choices that align with my core values. Look around your home, go outside for a walk, get into nature and see what beauty you can gather. Nature mandalas are easy to create, just follow your inner wisdom. 

Spring Yoga, Reiki & Meditation

Spring is in full swing here and the way we move and feel can be influenced by our environment.  The shifts of nature have long inspired my yoga practice and helped me to adjust and adapt to what is needed moment to moment. 

Gentle Yoga & Guided Meditation ZOOM practice 

Wednesday 5/31/23 7:30p-8:30p ET

This month I'll be sharing a slower practice with longer held poses using supportive props (blankets/bolsters/blocks) followed by a ~20 minute guided meditation for rest and relaxation as spring shifts into summer. Over the last few years, I've been leading online classes to honor the transition of the seasons. These moments are meaningful to me as there is beauty within each phase and ways to be with each season. In my home practice, I have found that moving slowly with intention helps me find balance in my life and in my health. 

Health is built on balance, literally every cell in every body system has a role in finding balance. This process known as homeostasis is so important that the body has amazing compensatory mechanisms to bide time until homeostasis can be achieved. Rest is essential in this process. Restorative yoga is the use of props to create conditions of physical comfort, ease, and safety so that we can restore ourselves, allowing time and space for our bodies to adjust to a state of equilibrium. Resting in a supportive state enhances our body awareness, attentiveness and presence, regulates our emotions (hormones), and assists our sensory processing functions.  This directly impacts our nervous system which is seen in our reactiveness and our responsiveness. In an effort to integrate all of these benefits, we simply need to get grounded (earth connection), lean into our supports (yoga props!), and find space within our days to rest. 

Reiki Self Practice 

Wednesday 6/7/23 at 12n ET on ZOOM.

Many of you know I share yoga + reiki in my class offerings. It is a powerful combination with mutual benefits of stress reduction, improved sleep, and relaxation. After many years of teaching reiki practice, I have been thinking more on how to share reiki for self care and community connection. Since I am no longer affiliated with any yoga studios and I don't have an in-person space, many of my offerings have been online. Over the past two years, I have been sharing free seasonal classes from my home to yours through the ZOOM platform which widens the circle of connection for those who may or may not live near me. I've decided to offer a reiki self practice session. We will meet for ~20 minutes as a mid-day moment of reconnection and meditation. I am opening this up to everyone, those who have trained in reiki, and those interested in learning about reiki. Reiki is a Japanese healing practice that encourages rest, balance, emotional, and physical well being. Our hands are extensions of our heart, with focus and attention we can send care and compassion to ourselves. Reiki works on the body, mind, and spirit to relax the sympathetic nervous system ('fight or flight') and activate the parasympathetic nervous system ('rest and digest'). My intention is to offer reiki through a guided self practice as well as exploring other reiki techniques that can bring balance and peace into our days. Email: heronyoga@gmail.com for the ZOOM links.

THANK YOU to all who signed up for the 4-week 'Strength Series' I hosted on ZOOM in March. I'm grateful for the messages and supportive feedback, which is so helpful in guiding me on sharing future offerings. The recordings are available for purchase. For class details and to learn more about the benefits of building strength, read on here. 

For those who can't join my live zoom, practice anywhere, anytime!

FREE Yoga and FREE Guided Meditations

I recorded a ~60 minute 'Spring Flow' yoga class that focuses on twisting, balancing, and strengthening for enhanced circulation and energy activation within the body/heart/mind. 

'Rest & Restore' is a guided meditation I wrote that highlights our connection with nature. This meditation practice offers a space to ease into the seasonal shifts of our current moment. 

This spring marked one full year of sharing yoga in Melrose at the Milano Senior Center! My Thursday mornings teaching Yoga (8:45a) and Chair Yoga (10a) continue to be a joy as I get to know more people in the community and guide a practice that brings so many wonderful moments of care and connection.  I also teach Chair Yoga (11a) on Monday mornings in Wakefield at the McCarthy Senior Center September through May. 

Participants must be 60+, those living in surrounding towns and cities are welcome.

Wishing you all a beautiful month of May! 

Enjoy all the trees and flowers in bloom. 

Winter into Spring Strength Zoom Series

"We are stronger, gentler, more resilient, and more beautiful than any of us imagine."

Mark Nepo

I'll be offering a 4-week Strength Series on ZOOM starting March 8, 2023!

Each week we will focus on specific movements that build upon the next, 

offering a dynamic yoga experience by adding in props and moving in different ways. 

This series is intended to be challenging and accessible. 

Expect a moderate practice with moments of rest between transitions. 

My hope is to inspire you to build strength and mobility within your yoga practice.

Week 1: Squats/Lunges

Week 2: Hip/Hinge

Week 3: Push/Pull

Week 4: Rotations

You will need a yoga mat, 1-2 blocks, a chair, resistance band(s) and weights (3-10 lbs). 

Class will be focused on using props but you can practice without them as well. 

Join me for a Winter into Spring 'Strength Series' via the Zoom platform!

Wednesday evenings 3/8, 3/15, 3/22 and 3/29 from 7p-8p ET

Classes are pay-as-you-can ($5-15) or $20 for all 4 weeks. 

You can sign up for class/recordings via PayPal (click "send" and add your $). 

If you decide to pay $20 for the series, you will receive the ZOOM links each week.

If you are having issues with the link, or you don't have a Paypal account, see option below.. 

 In lieu of direct payment to me, I'll send the recorded links along to anyone who makes a $20 (or more) donation to any of the organizations below that I am supporting this year. Send a copy of your receipt to heronyoga@gmail.com and I will send you the recordings. These charities are important to me, I feel their continued persistence and diligence towards making a safer world for all is of utmost importance in the BIG fight against violence.

Moms Demand Action

Everytown for Gun Safety

Sandy Hook Promise

Students Demand Action

These acts of violence combined with political divisiveness and inaction is harming us all. 

Spread the word, tell a friend, bring a friend. 

Michelle