So really -- how are you?
I had been taking the quarantine in stride, getting the studio up and running online within 24 hours, organizing, coordinating, family life, nice weather & adrenaline kept me going for another few weeks, and just this week, I've arrived at that spot maybe you've been to already ... the "what now? What on earth is my purpose? Does anyone really care about yoga? Online yoga? Am I ever going to the beach again? Can I go visit my sister in the hospital when she delivers next month? Am I ever going to lead another yoga retreat?" You can fill in the blanks with your own musings.
On the one hand, i can easily dive into positivity and say "yea, sure! It'll all be back to normal in a few months." And then I read news articles about how life will never be the same and most of us small businesses just aren't going to make it and the money we all applied for isn't really there and I'm not sure what to do or think.
So I fall back to my old friend anicca, pronounced a-nee-cha. It's a Pāli word; Pāli is the sacred language of Theravāda Buddhism, and it means impermanence. Eleven years ago this week I was outside of Mexico City in San Bartolo Amanalco for a 10 day silent Vipassana retreat. No books - no writing - no screens or cell phones - no talking, no eye contact, no exercise or vigorous movement. We meditated for 10 hour per day with breaks of course, and it was transformational. An intense, positive, life changing experience - but also one of the most challenging things I've ever done.
The word that stuck with me the most from Goenka's chants during the meditations was the word anicca. The idea of impermanence has helped me to get my own "shit" out of the way so many times. In the end, it's all impermanent - each of us flying thru this tiny, short lifetime as our ever changing landscape evolves over centuries.
This week I'm going to do the best that I can as a mother, wife, yoga teacher & studio owner. And since those are all roles that I fulfill, I'm also going to just be. I'll meditate & practice yoga. I'll leave five star reviews on businesses that I love, so that if they go under, they know they are important and loved (BTW, this is one of the quarantine challenges & I hope you'll take a few moments to spread the love around). I'll make delicious food because I know I can have control over that! And then I'll reflect on impermanence.
I'd love to know what's carrying you through? Maybe work is really busy? Maybe you lost your job and don't know what is going to happen? Maybe you love being at home connecting with yourself, your family, your partner? Maybe you finally got to Marie Kondo your space or binge watch something?
In case you do need a boost - something to do, the Quarantine Challenge is free for you to access! And it's not too lated to join. Click here to download your playing card. You can do this from California, Alaska, Japan or really anywhere because it's ALL virtual.
The rules are simple:
You have the month of April to complete the board
Track your progress
You can't knock out two bingo dots with one class
Have fun
Hold yourself accountable!
Let me know if you have any questions
WINNERS::: The first THREE folks to send their winners card (with proof) in (and PS, you can't finish until April 30 because I have a small 30 day challenge for you), can take their pick between ANY item from our boutique - a new mat, mat towel, dharma wheel, sweatshirt, ETC or a FREE month of yoga. Let's be in this TOGETHER!
Big Love:: Kimberly, Dezza, Patrick, Michael, Dominique, Josh, Allison, Jordan, Ayça, Max, Rose + All of the community teachers (Mary Nell, Anna, Chelsea, Anna, Ashley & Susan)