How are you?

Hi There,

Just writing to say I’m thinking about you and wondering how you are. It’s February, there’s snow on the ground, lots of changes in the world and then there’s the personal journey we are each navigating. It can feel like a lot to hold.

And yet we just keep going - one day, one minute at a time. Isn’t that amazing? We are more resilient and courageous than we realize.

What does keeping going look like for you? How are you staying focused on the present and not getting swept up into ‘what-if’s’? How are you taking care of yourself?

I am just learning, at 45, what it means to take care of myself and to love myself. It’s taken me a long time to understand that taking care of myself is an active practice - a moment to moment practice - that informs every single thought, feeling, action and perspective.

And it’s a practice I need to initiate, it’s not up to anyone else.

Over twenty years ago my 5Rhythms teacher, Jenny Macke, said while we were dancing, that “No one but you can make you happy”. I’d never heard that before. I had never considered until that moment that my happiness was up to me. It blew my mind. And ever since then I have been trying to understand what that means and how to make myself happy.

What I have figured out is that my happiness is directly correlated with the level of care I give to myself. And with how much I love myself. It’s not about things, money or other people. It’s about taking care of my every need because they matter. Because I matter.

So I do my best to bring yoga, drawing, meditation, dance, and nature into my life. Each of these things help me know myself better so that I can care for myself better.

If I don’t do something to connect with myself every single day, I can’t feel or hear my needs that well. And then I feel lost. That lost feeling leads to making decisions that don’t end up feeling good in my body, mind or heart.

This is also why I teach. Teaching reminds me to stay in the practice of taking care of myself. Plus, it makes me really happy!

If you are looking for a way to take care of yourself - such as moving your body, focusing on your breath, reflecting or connecting with others - then I invite you to join me Sunday, February 23rd for a special yoga class.  

To join in, all you have to do is click reply and say YES!. Then I’ll add you to the list (there are only 5 spots left) and send you the payment link.

I am calling these monthly classes Inner Compass classes because that’s exactly what we focus on…..connecting to your inner compass so you can navigate your life from a place of deep care.

I’d love for you to join me in this class and on this journey!

When we take care of ourselves, our capacity to navigate the hard things grows. It also reminds us just how amazing and worthy we are!

I hope you’ll join me this Sunday (just reply and say YES!).

xoAmanda

P.S. The Inner Compass Yoga class is taking place this Sunday, February 23rd from 9:30-11:00am at a private studio in Putney, VT. The cost is $25. This will be a very special class - I’d love for you to be there! Just click reply and say YES! if you’d like to join in.