“Wholeness happens when we’re fragmented. We are walking incomplete,” ~ John Paul Lederach Merry Christmas! 🎄
For many, it’s a busy time. So I”ll be brief. 🥰 This year, the holiday season has brought me extra challenges around staying present, and finding contentment, with what actually is. There’s still a sliver of me that wants the holiday season to replicate all the wonder and ease it did when I was a kid. Back then, it really did seem like the gift of my brand new, handmade wooden balance beam, simply appeared. Magically! Of course, I now understand that my Dad spent HOURS and HOURS, on top of his long working hours, to lovingly craft that for me in our basement. Somehow, without me knowing! It took planning. And effort. And commitment. And cleanup. And I’m certain it wasn’t always easy, nor fun. My wish for us all is that we can be present with what is. Honor the multitudes of every moment. And still find glimmers of magic. Here’s to resourcing ourselves and moving towards the light. 🎄 With tenderness and love, ~m
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“While we can’t control what’s happening around us, we can cultivate the capacity to be with what is with more ease, joy, and freedom.” ~ Sebene Selassie Hello!
What a big week. We have new moon tomorrow, and then we’re right into Solstice. The word Solstice is a combination of the Latin words sol (the Sun) and sistere (to stand still). So, as we move towards the longest night of the year, I hope you find moments of deep relaxation and true rejuvenation. In my meditative moments, I’ve been feeling into the Sanskrit word, śraddhā (pronounced, roughly as, SHRA-dha). Yes, it’s a term centered upon faith, devotion, or conviction. All of that can be directed towards spiritual teachings or a spiritual path . . . and it’s also about a profound inner steadfastness. I imagine it as something that dissolves self-doubt. A powerful antidote to those (sometimes very LOUD) voices of my own internal critic. In other words, it’s about choosing to trust your own path, your own instincts, your own compass . . . even if the results are not yet showing up externally. And, it’s about staying committed to this . . . not with rigidity, or harshness . . . but in a way that nurtures a confidence from showing up for ourselves and our knowing. The word śraddhā can be broken down: śrad meaning, heart/truth dhā meaning, to place/hold Put it together? That which is held in the heart, or that which is holding the heart As is the case with most Sanskrit terms, there really isn’t a single-word translation into English. Some might say, “faith” or “purpose” as shorthand, but it’s just that. Short of the full context. I think whatever it is that truly holds our heart? Must be a positive energy that bubbles up from deep internal knowing. And that’s worth showing up for, time and time again. This helps me navigate the busyness of the season. It reminds that everything is right here within. And, if that gets taken out of focus, I can always re-read the quotation up above. 👀⬆️ Here’s to exploring it ALL with more ease, joy, and freedom. Spots are filling, and I hope you will secure yours for my favorite practice of the year. Please join me and Teresa Van Eyk: Winter Solstice and Sound at the Saugatuck Yacht Club. Sunday, December 21 | 6 - 7:30 P.M. Happy meditative moments, everyone. In service, ~m 
“The contentment found in gratefulness is not about ‘standing still’ but about showing up to your life and being present, always aware of the invitations before you; a receiving rather than a seeking.” ~ Joe Primo Hello my friends!
I love the season we are in. As we approach the longest night of the year, the return to the light, the change of seasons and the new year . . . there’s such a supportive atmosphere for contemplation. Yes, reflection. More importantly, looking forward. It’s a time to pause. To hush. And to celebrate. In my classes we’ve been doing some extra twists, and movements, and pranayama that help to rinse and release. That way, anything stagnant has an opportunity to begin gently moving. And, we’re focusing on our pathway forward. Firm in our foundation. With a clear view. And a focused vision. It’s incredible how breath and movement readily embodies, and supports, all of this powerful work within. It’s not magic. It may not be quick. But it’s happening. And it’s transformative. There’s something so powerful when we come together in community and do this kind of practice. We all benefit. And, we weave our thread of support into one another’s lives so each of us are uplifted. I’d appreciate if you could join me for my favorite class of the year. Winter Solstice and Sound at the Saugatuck Yacht Club. Sunday, December 21 | 6 - 7:30 P.M. If you’re looking for a powerful way to commit to your pathway forward, consider a fully-customized Sadhana. This is a daily practice that you and I create together. It’s wonderfully distilled to accelerate what it is you are seeking. The practice doesn’t have to be long. Or complicated. It will facilitate powerful shifts within. Have questions or feeling curious? Simply reach out, and we’ll talk more! Okay, keep it cozy everyone! And carve out some time to come into greater focus for yourself. Your pathway. Every day I’m noodling around for my single-word resolution for 2026. Not sure I have it yet. I think this year it’s going to be in Sanskrit? In service, ~m P.S. Javi cracks me up in his bandana after being groomed 😄 
“A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which to our possible surprise, includes ourselves." ~ Kristin Lin Hello, friends!
I just dropped off Javier at the groomer’s. Simply getting there on our slippery back roads feels like an accomplishment. Especially with our boy in full trembles at my side. Javi has decided that ANY time he gets into a car, he might be going somewhere terrible and torturous. 😩 I’ve tried driving him around to lots of fun places (Grandma and Grandpa’s, doggo friends’ houses, his favorite hiking spots . . . ) so he knows odds are good he’s NOT going to the Vet or the Groomer. And, honestly . . . should the groomer be lumped into this same category? The woman who grooms him, LOVES him! When it comes to that appointment? I’m thinking Javi should embrace the spa day. 😉 Turns out, even for my little nine-pound wonder, life is complex. And talk about complex. This time of year can really do it for many of us. The Holidays contain lots of cheer and loads of sparkle. And, they can also be full of stress, difficult get togethers, challenging conversations, pressures on finances, etc. That’s why I chose this week’s quotation. It’s a long one. Give it another good look. 👀 I used to want certain things to be FULL of joy. Nothing else allowed in. Example: decorating the house for Christmas. My idea is that this activity should be full-on-holiday-cheer. Holiday music! Twinkly lights! Sparkly decorations! Everyone happy and sparkly, too. 😉 Maybe that’s real for some of us, Or maybe that happens once or twice. But frankly, that’s not the reality in our house. Invariably, some of the lights are not working. And, they’re tangled. We can’t find the box of red candles. Javi is chewing anything and everything that hits the ground. And now, with the house looking extra chaotic because we’re only half way through, we’re late for a dinner get together. This whole decorating thing is feeling like a bit too much. Why did it we do it this way? Can’t we carve out more time so it feels spacious and a bit more festive? Is there something wrong with us that we aren’t enjoying this more? Isn’t this supposed to be festive and fun? Again, the quotation. ⬆️ If we are trying to eliminate aspects of our emotions, we are probably setting ourselves up for a reckoning. So, rather than enter an activity insistent upon joy, or fun, or ease, or whatever else we are wanting . . . I propose coming in open to the actual experience. That way, when frustration, or anger, or resentment, or impatience, begins creeping in (or BURSTING through!), we can be with that as well. If we are open to the multitudes, we can more readily recognize whatever shift is happening. We can acknowledge it. Say hello to it. And then make conscious choices about what direction we want to move from there. We can take steps as to how best help ourselves. Then, we can continue moving the needle in the direction we want to go. Softening our jaw. Relaxing our shoulders. Taking a few, beautiful breaths. I hope all our holidays sparkle. And, I’m all about staying regulated. ♥️ Oh, and why not continue celebrating the smalls? Life’s little perks and pluses that are happening all around us. One beautiful way to celebrate yourself this season? Join me for my favorite practice of the year: Registration is open ✨ Winter Solstice Yoga + Sound experience at the Saugatuck Yacht Club Sunday, December 21 | 6 - 7:30 P.M. With love and light, ~m P.S. I promise! Pictures of Javi, next week! 🐶♥️ |
AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
January 2026
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