Emerge, Embody, Enliven, & Rest: Tending March Together
"We grow by simply listening, the way a tree on the ridge listens its branches to the sky... the way roots listen for the next inch of Earth." -Mark Nepo
Wholehearted Tuesday dear friends,
I hope this early week finds you gently settling after the shift of daylight savings time. Many of us are still finding our rhythm again — I certainly felt it in classes yesterday. Quieter rooms, tender energy, and yet the practices were deeply potent.
Transitions often ask us to do two things at once:
enliven and rest.
We continue to move through watery Pisces season, the closing chapter of the astrological year — a time of reflection, emotion, and subtle emergence. Each week in practice we’ve been gently evolving on the themes of the week before, creating warmth for what is rising, finding space, clearing, enlivening and tending from the heart.
This week we continue that exploration through the sacral and throat chakras. Svadhisthana — our energetic center of feeling, creativity, and flow, within it lies (Sva)- the seat of Self (Sva) Vitality and orange hues like the sunrise. Visuddha — for purifying toxins connected to the thyroid, neck, jaw and unresolved emotion. It governs communication, self-expression & truth.
Working with their associated regions of the body and in lifestyle for thoughtful expression and ingestion.
Expression can take many forms: humming or singing, free writing or art, playful movement, music that helps the body soften and move. Speaking out in advocacy and passion anchored from wholeheartedness. Pranayama & sound are great tools of exploration.
Seasonally in Ayurveda- Kapha dosha is here — the slower, heavier foundations of early spring. While this season brings stability and nourishment, new beginnings & renewal- it can also leave us feeling stagnant if we don’t gently invite circulation, enlivening and warmth.
I’m sharing a few images below — class invites, nature, and Ayurvedic recommendations for seasonal foods that help encourage warmth, digestion, and movement in the body.
As for movement, a supportive pose I recommend exploring this week is Reclined Figure Four — resting back with the support of the earth beneath you. Perhaps within the quiet waters of Pisces introspection, after a long day, or when your body that simply needs grounded attention. Allow your back to be supported as you gently draw your hips toward your heart. Breathe. Listen.
Feel.
Express.
Enliven.
Rest.
For times of struggle- we have teachings and small reminders that even in cloudy or heavy days, we can still witness moments of tenderness. Moments of brightness and joy.
We can take a cue from the sun.
The sun still rises each morning, even when hidden behind clouds. Never withholding its warmth.
Warmth, clarity, and light we seek are not outside of us — they are within us, waiting to be remembered.
In yogic philosophy we say Vidya is remembrance. Avidya is forgetting. Remembering our true nature. With tools to guide inward and upward:
Clear the mind.
Take care of the body.
Use prana wisely.
So this week we continue.
Creating warmth for what is rising (as I shared in last week’s letter), tending our life force, exploring e-motion as energy in motion, and allowing life to unfold.
Tend.
Allow.
Unfold.
If you’d like to embody these practices together, I would love to see you.
Weekly Yoga in March
🌿 Heart Spring Health — Sellwood
Mon 6:30am — Root & Rise
Tues 10:00am — Embodied Yoga- A Yoga Therapy inspired Class
A small-group class to support regulation, awareness, and personalized healing. An entry point for those curious about yoga therapy.
Wed 4:45pm — Slow Flow
Wed 6:15pm — Ground & Release
🌿 Humberside Loft
Sat 9:00am — Root & Rise
A few spots remain- Excited for Saturdays flow, tea, & connection)
🌿 Online
Wed 11:00am — Community Circle (Free)
Fri 8:00am — Friday Flow (Pay What You Can)
Fri & Mon 9:00am — Gentle Yoga (SUBBBING 3/13 & 3/16)
🌿 Free Accessible Yoga — Providence St. Vincent
Mon 9:00am & 10:00am (no class 3/16- online as above!)
🔗 Calendar & Booking
www.mayalakeyoga.com/classes
➡ Practice: @MayaLakeYoga Youtube
➡ Listen: Maya Lake Yoga- Coming Home Playlist.
May we remember the warmth within us.
May we listen into the waters of feeling.
May we stay with and express what is true.
And may we rest first, enliven with the heart.
In love & light,
Maya
