The seasonal transition is underway. We can see the yellow school buses on the roads carrying precious cargo...the decision makers and parents of tomorrow. The dry days and the hint of cool in the breeze, the lifeguard stands no longer dotting the seascape and the noticeably earlier sunsets are all reminders that Nature is my practice partner on my journey of healing, discovery and ever-deeper belonging.
Transitions of all sorts invite my awareness, asking me to pay even closer attention than usual to the unfolding dance of time; be it kissing my 90 year old father goodbye as I leave his home (hoping the final goodbye is a long way off) or hugging my grandkids as I return them home after a day at Manu's (my grandmother-name). At threshold moments of transition I try to offer special regard to what is going on in the moment. It is one of my spiritual micro-practices.
When I was raising four kids, there were memorable "teachable moments" where their interest and attention matched my offering of wisdom and instruction. What I had to offer really landed and they carry those lessons with them now. In hindsight, those were some of the most pristine and precious times in my parenting experience and more than make up for the trouble some of them got into!
That said, there were times when they were my teacher, where what came out of their mouth was so profound I thought surely they were channeling from a deep and ancient wisdom-source. As I moved deeper into the yogic path and spent more time developing my mindful breathing practice, one of them took notice. "Mom, was that a shifting breath?", I paused and smiled back. I said, "What do you mean?" They went on to explain that they noticed almost every time I was done doing one thing, I took a noticeable deep breath; they knew it meant I was shifting gears, pausing before I started the next thing. I was quite impressed with their powers of observation and grateful they had noticed.
Give it a try...take a shifting breath...mark the threshold as you transition from one point of focus to another. Perhaps you can take a shifting breath after you respond to one email and before you open the next one; after the last swallow of food and before you rise from your seat; when you get back in the car after an appointment and before you start the car. The list is endless and your experience of being awake and mindful might radically expand.
Join me in practice so we can practice some shifting breaths together.
Please scroll down for the full September schedule that runs through September 20th. Then I will be away for 2 weeks and indoor classes will begin October 6th.
Sending you all wishes for peace, health & happiness, now and always.
Namaste,
Rev Shelley
CLASSES THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1-7
TUESDAY:
Free Tai Chi Easy, 8:00-9:00 AM,
Glen Park, Portsmouth
Gentle Yoga for All 9:30-10:30 AM,
sliding scale $, Glen Park, Portsmouth
WEDNESDAY:
Gentle Yoga for All 10:00-11:15 AM,
Sliding scale $, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown
THURSDAY:
Gentle Yoga for All 9:30-10:30 AM,
sliding scale $, Glen Park, Portsmouth
SATURDAY:
Gentle Yoga for All 10:00-11:15 AM,
Sliding scale $, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown
SUNDAY:
Full Moon Yoga & Sacred Sound Journey
6:30-8:00 PM
Norman Bird Sanctuary
Sliding scale $25-30
Tickets on Eventbrite, drop-ins welcomed also.
All weekly classes are now hybrid; both in person and on Zoom
Register on our Eventbrite page and Eventbrite will email you the Zoom link. If you have any trouble getting the link from Eventbrite, simply text me prior to class and I will text you the link. 860-965-9995
Cancellations, weather related changes and details are posted
1 hour prior to class on our homepage. www.sacred-center.org