Summer shines with indigo blooms. Follow your exhale and let it be.

8/19/2024

Hello dear friends,

Feeling into the free-write today. This late summer image to capture how the sun, while bright, invites clouds and shades to bring focus and surrender to your current phase of life. No matter what phase you are in. What energetic, emotional or physical state this is finding you, I welcome you to relax further into your seat.

We arrive again. And Now the Yoga Begins. Atha Yoga Nusasanam.

Notice the space between the shoulder blades and see how you might soften just a bit. Open and move the jaw, explore into the muscles of the face, see if neck movements or any further adjustments are being asked from you and respond. Then begin to tune in- settle into your body. Relax further into the structure of your body, muscle, bones, and tissues. Supported by earth below and this life giving breath. Let your breath inform you as to your body's experience in this moment. Breathe in. Breathe out. Welcome the possibility for tension to subside, even if just a bit. Smoothing out the pace. Let your breathing care for you. Notice the inbreath arrive. Naturally and effortless. Let your awareness bring more focus on riding the exhale to its full completion. And once more, release any effort or influence on your inbreath. Let it naturally begin again without your need to do anything. Follow your exhale and let it be.

"Releasing any tension and bringing calm to your body is the first step in restoring wellness." Thich Nhat Hanh

I've been occupying this practice of following, focusing, and tuning alongside the exhale. With a trusting that the inhale breath will come. The inhale, prana-filled and life giving breath seems to reflect this local late summer shine, a season of Leo. Of joy & gathering, the rising into a full moon that can mark celebration and clarity. It's seems this sun is here to reflect a natural yes to life, to laughter, to love, and relishing as fall approaches.

Yes. And. In true authentic form- alongside this sun- many I connected with in my circles have been cultivating and holding more space for the shadows, myself included. Witnessing their hardships and unprocessed grief as moments arise. For the demands of life circumstance that don't seem to let up. Follow your exhale and let it be.

I'm fortunate to be able to see the sweetness of these rain in summer. To nourish the land. In the image above, within the weeds how we let the indigos bloom. Lengthening the exhale to bring presence for the rain, the softening, and the more melancholic re-visits. And isn't it just beautiful? Not easy, but beautiful. It may not seem that way- to slow into the exhales, to allow and let it be. But I'm finding more and more that this deepening, and creating conditions to be in the deepening, is what many of us are truly longing.

While I awoke this morning in gratitude, with rest and appreciation of integrating yoga and the simplicity of life I've made- its granting me space to extend more deeply to folks with dis- ease. Dis- ease of body, mind, heart, and resource. Many know the pressures of work, stress and overwhelm, responsibilities and lack of fulfillment. A life too full to listen. Alongside the very real suffering for those unable to make ends meet. Those experiencing hunger, violence, injustice and prolonged despair. Let your container of empathy and action witness all that comes into view as our humanity experiences the real challenges of life and circumstance. Follow your exhale and let it be.

It think it true that our hardships shape our heart. Our ability to deepen and connect within, and with one another. If we are to live a fulfilling and wholehearted life, might we bravely embrace the phase we are in? Might we cultivate a bit more focus, tuning into the areas that allow for more space. Following your exhale. For those of us with just a bit more access to glimpse into gratitude, our ability to access respite, ease, contentment and joy. For those of us that can let the sun naturally shine, an effortless inhale, might we do our part, our work of honing focus on deepening our exhale. Being with, and allowing the challenge of our humanness to shapes our spirit.

"Remember you will never know who you are in your spirit by attempting to be above your humanness. It is always through your humanness that you truly know your spirt." Andrea Gibson

"To let go does not mean to get rid of, to let go means to 'let be'". Jack Kornfield.

To Let it be. Present. Without grasping or coercing what is arising. As my teacher says- Not needing things to be different. Knowing they wont stay the same. Trusting the impermanence and with deep respect for what is arising.

As you witness the sun shine, let the inbreath find you effortlessly this week. Hold space for any melancholic shades that come along. Bare witness to the indigos, the shades, the shadows. Allow all versions of yourself, your parts that are asking for your kindness and grace- all the love and attention they deserve. Allow for your longings to be seen. Follow your exhale & let it be.

Let us begin again this week with the breath. Releasing tension and inviting calm to restore a bit more wellness. As always, take what works and leave the rest. Here with you in practice. In Love & Light.

-Maya

New Time! Tues & Thurs @ 8am on Zoom: Morning Sun Yoga Register Here

Curious about one-one yoga therapy or in person yoga? Offerings here. Connect or follow on social and above all, take in wholehearted week.