Wow, where has this year gone?! It seems like just a few minutes ago I was trying to convince all of you Mainers to take time out of your sporty summer days soaking in the coastal sun to remember your yoga practice. Now it’s frigid, approaching winter solstice, and the yoga mat is calling in a different way. “Please, help me stretch out this cold, creaking skeleton,” your body whines. Or maybe it says “YAY! Give me more yoga! I hope we do plenty of those leg balances!”

In any case, winter’s here, the holiday season is in full swing, and, if your mind’s like mine, it’s constantly listing all of the things that need to get done before the holidays or the end of the year. Best antidote to all of the madness – and the cold and dark weather? Yoga and meditation, of course.

Through yoga you can find the inner calm, the inner light that  will literally make you feel warmer and sunnier in the darkest month of the year. It’s a great practice; try it. Dynamic movement and steady breathing is also a powerful way to stay grounded and centered through all of the busyness of the holidays. Give yourself the gift of that hour or so of being present on the mat; it’s one thing that you never regret!

If you can’t make it to class, just doing some basic stretches for a few minutes in the morning and evening – forward fold, wide-legged straddle, downward-facing dog, maybe even a lunge – while breathing deeply and consciously is so beneficial. If even this seems like a ‘stretch’ for you (excuse the pun), make it a New Years resolution to work on your yoga self-practice for the next 365 days – but don’t wait until January, start now, building up a little bit each day.
Whatever works best for you, find your way back to the mat and keep practicing! Come practice with me this month in Maine. Midcoast classes are on as normal until New Years (only cancellation so far is Saturday, December 24 & 31 at the Dancing Elephant, see below). Otherwise, all classes will be on, pending inclement weather or unforeseen obstacles. Any last-minute changes will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and here. 

Then I get to be a student again: In January I fly south to India for warm sun and yoga sadhana. Exhale…. Beyond that, I’m planning my teaching schedule for 2017, which will include yoga retreats at the ashram where I’ll be in South India, and in Stowe, Vermont. Watch this space for more info regarding dates for these.

 
Looking back, it’s been a great year of teaching for me, and I feel so much gratitude for all of my lovely students from whom I’ve learned so much. Wherever you are, I wish you the best on your yoga journey and hope that it carries you through many more seasons.

 
Sending warm wishes and blessings for this holiday season and the new year.

 
Namaste,

Kath

lobster buoy yoga maine christmas holidays meditation midcoast om

Weekly Schedule – December 2016

Tuesday, 5:30p – Vinyasa Flow @ The Dancing Elephant, Rockland

Wednesday, 9a – Vinyasa Flow @ The Dancing Elephant, Rockland

Wednesday, 6:30p – Yoga+Meditation @ Thomaston Yoga Studio, Thomaston

Friday, 9a – Prana Kriya Yoga @ The Dancing Elephant, Rockland

Friday, 4p – Hatha Yoga @ The Samoset, Rockport

Saturday, 8:30a – Gentle Yoga @ Thomaston Yoga Studio, Thomaston

Saturday, 10:30a – All Levels Yoga @ The Dancing Elephant, Rockland  [December 17 only!]

Sunday, 10:15a – Hatha Yoga @ The Samoset, Rockport

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