“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” ~ Nelson Mandela Hi friends!
Last week I wrote a love letter to all of you who are on this path. This path of presence. Awareness. And a return to the light. Again and again. When I re-read this quotation by Nelson Mandela, I sat up and took notice. I felt the conscious decision. And the effort. The acknowledgment of the pain and suffering and the choice to transcend it. That’s some serious internal power. To choose to leave bitterness and hatred behind in order to truly be free from imprisonment. I’m going to sit with that . . . and gently explore what’s holding me captive. I can feel a bit of strain this August. Town still bustling, and people sensing the end is near. There’s an added urgency. An intensity. I know in my house, the return of the Back To School ads do not help. 😀 Friends are visiting. Mike’s gigs are happening. Outdoor yoga is thriving. Coffee work is heightening in anticipation of the BIGGBY NATION SUMMIT later this month. The sailboat, and the soundtrack of the lake, are calling. Inhale everything we need. Exhale any residue or debris. Ahhhhhh, here’s to another breath, m
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“A great silent space holds all of nature in its embrace. It also holds you.” ~ Eckhart Tolle Hello!
Today, a quick note. I want to thank all the INCREDIBLE humans out there. You know, the ones who are out there showing up. Doing good and interesting things. The folks who are willing to lend a helping hand, a word of kindness, a shoulder of support. Your smiles, your connection, your light . . . are really helpful. I see you. I appreciate you. And guess what? You amazing beams of light are everywhere! You’re at the hair salon and in the grocery store. You're rocking it while my bone density is being scanned. You sparkle while serving at the restaurant, and I swear it makes the food taste even better. Rays of hope are out there, everywhere, casting brilliant beams. Whenever I catch a glimpse? Everything brightens a bit. Thank you. And, I understand that life is challenging for you, too. The fact that you are choosing to be a source of light? That you intentionally nurture and nourish the light within? Deep bow of gratitude. m 
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” ~ Brené Brown Hello, friends!
Last week I wrote about spaciousness. I want to further strengthen my connection to this lovely gift; it’s a practice I need more practice with. 🤩 And, I want to celebrate something that has emerged because of spaciousness. I have been teaching at Satya Yoga in Saugatuck for more than a decade. Throughout the years, my admiration and love for Satya's owner, Teresa Van Eyk, continues growing. This year, she and I took a powerful step together. We created the Full Moon Yoga Circles. The idea formed last winter when we sat together in my studio. Over a cup of tea and wide-ranging conversation, the Full Moon Circle idea took shape. We offered our first Circle in the Spring with the Flower Moon. That class was about Awareness: seeing what is here and ready to bloom. Later that same month, we celebrated the Blue Moon where we focused on Discernment: recognizing what is true. Then, Teresa lead the Strawberry Moon while I was in Mozambique. This Circle was centered on planting seeds and nourishing what matters. Now, it’s almost time for the Buck Moon. I can’t wait! The Buck Moon follows the rhythm of nature: the old is shed, the new begins in softness, tenderness is nourished, and strength develops over time. The Buck Moon honors the idea that growth is cyclical, not linear. For me? This is a celebration of Becoming. Trusting the unfolding of who I already am. And, that takes spaciousness and softness. Whether you have been to all of our Circles, or have yet to attend, these practices are deep, and special, and rich. I’d love for you to join us. Love, light, and extra appreciation for the air we breathe, m 
“The abundant heart embraces our world, holding all its joy and fear, gain and loss, nobility and selfishness, enveloped in a field of compassion and love.” ~ Jack Kornfield Hi friends!
I hope you are doing well in the heat of summer. Today? A loving note of encouragement to offer yourself spaciousness. To create spaciousness. For yourself. For your conversations. For your ideas and your dreams. For your rest. For your sorrows. And your triumphs. For your grief and your hope. I often talk in my classes about how yoga changes the volume dials. Turning down the volume, the noise, of the thinking mind. And tuning up the awareness in our heart and our belly. This is an ongoing practice for me. And I simply, lovingly, return to it again. And again. Recently, I have been experiencing glimpses into how important it is to create even more space around this. Around tending to ourselves. Showing up for ourselves. Nourishing ourselves. And more spaciousness for listening. Connecting. Feeling into the moment that’s right here in front of us. Maybe that moment when things seem to be going sideways? Leads to the breakthrough that was needed, wanted, all along. The heat of summer seems like the perfect time to slow things down. Offering ourselves, and one another, the grace of spaciousness. And remember, sometimes a big shift can happen in the first 90 seconds . . . simply by allowing that initial wave of reactivity to pass on through. Spaciousness can begin that quickly. It can also begin with attention to a round of breath. Inhale fortifying you. Exhale releasing. Something I’ve been experimenting with is listening without a desire to speak in response. Rather than waiting out the other person so that I can share my story, thoughts, ideas . . . simply listening. Fully. Ahhhhhhh. More space. It doesn’t have to be complicated. And, it certainly changes things. Love and light, m 
“Don't plan it all. Let life surprise you a little.” ~ Julia Alvarez Hello friends!
A short note this week. I’m all things preparation and excitement for Create + Restore on Sunday. As I spend time in meditation for this immersive experience, I am settling into that sweetness of ease and spaciousness. This immersion is not about movement. Or breath. Or painting. It’s an opportunity to unwind. To shift attention from the head to the heart. From thinking to sensing. I can’t wait to sink into flow with Theresa and with our group. Life rarely invites us to slow down. To notice. To be surprised. And that’s what these 3 hours are all about. I can’t wait to see what emerges. Love and light, m P.S. If you want to purchase the coffee that comes directly from Gorongosa, Mozambique you can! Buy BIGGBY COFFEE French Roast! P.P.S. Summer Season ⛵️ Saugautck Yacht Club | Saturday | 8:30 - 9:30 A | EVERY SATURDAY in JULY! Satya | Monday | 8:30 - 9:30 A Full Moon Yoga Circle 🦌🌕 | Wednesday, July 29 | 6:00 - 7:00 P Create + Restore | Sunday, July 12 | 10:30 A - 1:30 P 
“No one who has ever touched liberation could possibly want anything other than liberation for everyone..” ~ Rev Angel Kyodo Williams Hi friends!
It’s wonderful to be home, and I am excited to be back on the mat. It takes time, spaciousness, and less fog to process a big travel experience. Going on a BIGGBY Nation Farm-Direct trip is an adventure like no other. Yes, I was at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique last year. This time around? It was extra impactful. What’s at the forefront for me right now is the monumental amount of work it takes for us to be able to enjoy a cup of coffee. When you KNOW your coffee is not only free of Glyphosate (Round Up), and it’s also directly doing good for the people who grow it, good for the community around the farm, and good for the planet? Well . . . that makes choosing Farm-Direct coffee a Win, Win, Win, Win! So, if you drink coffee, you can make a powerful difference. I have the privilege of seeing that difference in real time. One of the MANY challenges of growing coffee in Gorongosa is the condition of the roads. Most people don’t own any forms of transportation other than their two feet. Fatianca Paulina Chico, one of the original and best farmers on the mountain, now owns two motorbikes. Both have been purchased with her profits from coffee. The impact of owning motorbikes cannot be overstated. It is life changing. There’s so much more to share, and I look forward to doing so. For now, it’s great being home. I hope you can join me at any of my upcoming yoga classes or workshops. I cannot wait for Create + Restore with Theresa Gray! This is one of those opportunities that doesn’t come around very often. I hope you can join us. Love and light, m P.S. If you want to learn more about Gorongosa National Park and the Coffee Project, enjoy this 10-minute movie. 
“You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” ~ Isabel Allende Hello!
I’m hoping last week’s 5-step PAUSE has been useful. 💝 The more I practice it, the more readily I can drop into a place that is quieter and calmer. My favorite step is the last one: Enjoy. When I get there, my insides seem to smile. I’m reminded to linger with what’s nourishing me. Ahhhhhh, here’s to more savoring! Why not bask in delight a little longer? 🤩 Lately, I’ve been wondering how to help ourselves when something really aggravating pops up. You know . . . when something, or someone, triggers a strong internal response? 😤 None of us are immune to the chemical stew, the cortisol bath, that can make certain moments hard to navigate with grace. 🤬 When I’m feeling super activated, I may need a different tool: The 90-second rule. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist and stroke survivor, discovered something remarkable. When we experience an emotional trigger, the neurochemical response lasts about 90 seconds. After that, what remains is often the story we are telling ourselves about what happened. “The initial wave is involuntary. But what happens after that 90-second window is, to a significant degree, within your influence.” The 90 Seconds that Could Save Your Relationship ~ Figs O’Sullivan Wow! 🤯 If I can ride the wave for 90 seconds . . . then I start to have choice? So, that argument I had last month didn’t need to take over my afternoon? That rattling piece of news didn’t have to steal my sleep? Ninety seconds is pretty quick. Seems manageable, right? 🤷🏻♀️ And yet, we can all think of moments where enduring 90 seconds feels impossible. 😖 How do we help ourselves through the wave? • Observe it without acting. • Notice what it feels like. (Hot? Tight? Cold? Heart rate up?) • Set a timer. • Breathe through it. Why do the feelings stick around after the 90 seconds? Because we replay the event. We build stories around it. And when we defend, deny, excuse, or deflect, we jump right back into the chemical bath and start all over again. 😔 So, what I do during those 90 seconds can shift a lot about how I move forward. Rather than trying to control all the BIG feelings, I’m going to try and let them move on through. That small lens shift may pack some real power. Let’s start there. With love, light, and 90 seconds worth of peace, every time, m 
“Grateful living is important in the world because in our constant pursuit of more and better we can easily lose sight of the riches that lay right in front of us and within us.” ~ Guri Meta Hi friends!
A short note today: an invitation. An invitation to PAUSE. Not just now, while you’re reading this. But whenever you need to. Why? Because pausing is the first step to shifting. Creating a meaningful shift in your day, in your energy, in the way things move forward? It can be so simple! Try these 5 easy steps. Any time. Every time. 1: P - Pause | Step away from doing 2: A - Arrive | Come fully into the moment 3: U - Unwind | Let your breath loosen the grip of busyness 4: S - Settle | Rest your awareness in your heart, your belly, your body 5: E - Enjoy | Savor the simple goodness of being here. A meaningful pause doesn't require a yoga mat, a meditation cushion, or an hour of free time. Just a few intentional moments. Pause. Arrive. Unwind. Settle. Enjoy. You may be surprised by how much can shift in less than a minute. Sometimes that's all it takes to remember you're already home. ✨ And why not linger a little longer with whatever is nourishing you? ♥️ Thank you Rhoda Thurston Lewis for the stunning hummingbird photo! Even the hummingbird allows itself a PAUSE. Love and light to all, m P.S. Summer Season 🍓 Saugautck Yacht Club | Saturday | 8:30 - 9:30 A | EVERY SATURDAY in JUNE! Satya | Monday | 8:30 - 9:30 A Full Moon Yoga Circle 🌕 | Monday, June 29 | 6:00 - 7:00 P Create + Restore | Sunday, July 12 | 10:30 A - 1:30 P 
“It is this way with wonder: it takes a bit of patience, and it takes putting yourself in the right place at the right time. It requires that we be curious enough to forgo our small distractions in order to find the world.” ~ Aimee Nezhukumatathil Hello!
It’s great being here with you today. Thank you. Relationships that are formed through yoga, or that contain an element of yoga in them? Are special. Once you’ve shared breath, and movement, and connection to presence together? There’s an added component that is rich, and tender, and sweet. I’m reminded of this every time I step onto the deck at Lakeshore Resort. Guests make their way down the steps. I greet them with a hello and a smile. Maybe we exchange a few moments of pleasantries about where they are visiting from. Where they ate dinner last night. Where I might recommend they go tonight. It’s all very nice. And then, we practice together. The shift is profound. The opportunity to pause. To connect with breath. To feel into our bodies and our beings. Sharing that with one another? It opens up a lot. I’m super grateful for every opportunity I have to weave another thread of support into my own yoga tapestry. Sunday’s Full Moon Circle had extra power in it. We’re building something really special there. And by “we” I don’t mean me and Teresa. I mean “WE” . . . everyone who is attending. If you’re looking for opportunities to drop in, please join me somewhere this summer. Personally? I can’t wait for Create + Restore on Sunday, July 12. Talk about a power-packed creative immersion! And an awesome way to reset your nervous system. There are a few spots left; I hope you can join us. If you missed today’s quotation, maybe take another look. Reading it prompted me to order Aimee’s newest collection of poetry: Night Owl. Here’s being curious enough to forgo the small distractions, m P.S. Summer Season 💜 Saugautck Yacht Club | Saturday morning | 8:30 - 9:30 A Satya | Monday morning | 8:30 - 9:30 A Full Moon Yoga Circle 🍓 | Monday, June 29 | 6:00 - 7:00 P Create + Restore | Sunday, July 12 | 10:30 A - 1:30 P 
“Find the thing that stirs your heart and make room for it. Life is about the development of self to the point of unbridled joy.” ~ Joan Chittister Hi, friends!
Happy unofficial start to summer! Memorial Day Weekend brought all kinds of weather: sun, rain, thunder, fog. chill, warmth . . . yep, it happened. Town was packed! We had a blast with nieces and nephews and so many friends. I’m especially thankful the weather cleared on Sunday. Yes, I got a little wet during my yoga class at Lakeshore Resort that morning, but Mike’s band got to play outdoors at the Burn Your Socks Party later in the day. (It’s a sailing thing that happens at Yacht Clubs to signify the end of winter. And yes, socks really were burned. 🤪) When everything turned gorgeous on Monday, we made the most of the sailboat. No actual sailing, yet, but we cruised up the river and took a quick spin in the Big Lake. The best part? After our delicious lunch on board, we were able to enjoy a nap inside the boat! That means Little Wing looks less like a tool shed these days, and is just about ready for prime summer season. 🩵 Amidst the barbecues and festivities, gratitude to all those who serve and sacrifice for our Country. If you missed this week’s quotation, take another look. ⬆️ In preparation for Sunday’s Full Moon Yoga Circle, I’ve been thinking a lot about discernment. I find the definition of discernment interesting: “the mental ability to judge things clearly, perceive subtle details, and make intelligent decisions. It involves separating truth from falsehood and recognizing what is essential, even in complex or confusing situations.” (Merriam Webster) So, it’s a mental ability that relies on perceiving subtle details to separate truth from falsehood. Wow! That’s pretty complex. At first, it sounds like our thinking mind is responsible. Then, it layers in we have to be able to perceive subtle details. How, precisely, does a person do that? And, it sounds like our ability to do is important, because it helps us make good decisions. This will what we’ll be exploring together at Sunday’s Full Moon - Blue Moon class. How do we help ourselves perceive subtle details? How do we build the ability to make really great decisions for ourselves, even when things are complex and confusing? There’s a series of threads, called Sutras, that serves as the foundational philosophical text of Yoga. There are 196 Sutras, and it’s the second one I want to talk about today: Yogas chitta vritti nirodha in Sanskrit. In English: Yoga is the calming of the fluctuations of the mind. So, if we can calm the mind . . . which wants to chatter and bounce around constantly! Then, maybe, that’s how we are able to perceive subtle details happening within? While I appreciate that meditation (one of the eight limbs of yoga) is being more widely talked about, I wonder when I see something like this on TV: Woman walks outside from her hectic hospital job and sits on a nearby bench. Puts in earbuds. Uses phone to turn on her Meditation App. Spends 15 seconds trying to close eyes and be completely relaxed. Mind stays busy. She is now even more frustrated? Decides meditation is not for her. or that she’s “not good” at mediation. To be clear, I have nothing against electronic versions of meditation. I use an app myself sometimes. But is it realistic that with no training, we can shift ourselves from real chaos into complete calm, simply by turning on a recording for a few seconds? There must be a different pathway into knowing how to calm the fluctuations of the mind. And, when we can calm the mind, then we can tune into signals from other parts of our body and being. This subtle body perception helps us with discernment! Sunday’s Full Moon Circle is going to be a lovely internal exploration all around this. I hope you can join us! With so much love and light, m |
AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
July 2026
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