Winter Solstice

Last night's winter solstice session was fantastic.  Beautiful energy created and community built.  I feel incredibly blessed to have the friends/clients that I have.  This is the third year that I have offered a solstice driven class.

We placed candles around the room to soften the lighting and create ambiance.  Initially, we held down dog for five breaths and eventually whittled it down to one.  The flow felt right, and everyone kept up.  There were no grimaces or hesitations.

Afterwards we enjoyed a chickpea and farro stew.  It was the perfect dish to renourish and fuel the body.  Two years ago, I made kitchari--an ayurvedic dish composed of rice and mung beans (or lentils).  I added mustard seeds, curry spice, coriander seeds, garlic, ginger and turmeric.  It is a complete protein and wholesome.  The chickpea stew was a fantastic alternative.  Isaac made it vegan and brought cheese to add if you were interested.  I doctored up some store-bought hummus, cut up vegetables and threw together a pineapple cucumber salad.  I thought it would be important to replenish with lighter fare.  

2024 will bring new energy and focus.  I must do more with building my yoga business.  I see the potential and have experienced it.  Then I become stagnant in some of my efforts.  I am reminded of how fortunate I am when I host evening classes.  I was gifted a much-needed portable speaker from several of my clients last night.  It was thoughtful.  Very thoughtful.  When Dominique misses the City Park sessions, I use a plastic container to put my phone in to amplify the sound.  It works.  And I am not embarrassed to use that hack.  The quality is decent and gets it done.  Provides music while practicing yoga outside.  

The portable speaker is a game changer.  I can use it in my car for road trips.  I drive to Santa Fe frequently.  Freya has a factory installed radio with a CD player that is broken.  No tape access or blue tooth enabled technology.  There are stretches along 1-25 where one station is available.  I manage to make it through, but I am excited to have access to the speaker.  I can listen to podcasts!  Finally.  

I think motivational podcasts are what I should listen to.  The political podcasts hurt my mind after a while.  I try to stay somewhat informed on the world around me.  It is challenging to not dive into the rabbit hole of darkness keeping up with some of the propaganda.  It makes no sense to hear women say that they would like to return to the era of the 1950's--like it was a better time for women.  How was it better?  Not having access to education, finances, or control of your body sounds delightful???  More like delusional.  

I am thankful for the relationships that I have had in my life.  And that they have recognized that I am independent and need time for myself.  There hasn't been an attempt to control or define me.  They let me navigate my life.  

During the solstice session, last night, it was unconventional.  We had tequila to kick start the sun salutations, listened to music, did not set an intention and had another shot of tequila.  This makes sense to me and my path.  Never taking the road that is expected.

Release old energy and focus on what motivates you for 2024.