"The little things in life, as we know, actually are the big things.
Habits, patterns, unconscious tendencies . . . 
they make up and shape the foundation of our lives."
~ Lexie Marie

Happy spring, everyone! 🌷

I LOVE the energy of this moment.  
New Moon: a time of seed planting and intention setting . . . 
➕
Spring Equinox: the balance between dark and light, the beginning of the astrological year, when everything begins turning to the light . . . 
🟰
A powerful time for us tap into, support, and ignite our life force. 

You know, the vibration that is uniquely us. 
The love and light that we are already are. 
The vibration that the world needs more of! 

So, how do we reconnect to our source self?
Let alone bolster our highest, best self? 

The answer begins with something so simple.
And yet, this simple act remains elusive for SO many of us. 

It starts with getting still. 

I hope you'll join me in carving out time today (or later this week, or over the weekend) to get still. And very quiet. Eliminate any and every distraction you can. 

Maybe this happens on your yoga mat. Maybe on your couch. Or in your tub, or in bed, or underneath your favorite tree, or along the lakeshore, or on top of a mighty mountain.

Make it simple. Make it special. This stillness is for you, so make it yours. 

Once you're still, invite your entire self to arrive. The shadow and the light. The parts of yourself you admire. And the aspects you would rather hide away. Bring it ALL in. 

Then, explore connection to your breath. Can you expand it to be deep and even? Do you want further release by sighing out on the exhale? Would you like to add movement in your arms, shoulders, belly, or hips? 

Begin listening to every nook and cranny of your body. 

Stay with the stillness and the quiet longer than you imagine. Let yourself drift, so you can hear the intelligence within your body and every fiber of your being. 

This is not something we "think" through. This is something we feel into and experience. 

Taking these moments to disconnect, so we can reconnect, are essential for our nervous system and our well-being. 
Here's to having the courage to listen within and love ourselves fully,

~ m ♥️
​
P.S. Registration for Art Of Connection is OPEN! 
Saturday, June 24 | 2 - 5 P.
Learn more and secure your spot, here.

"Just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful and inspiring day. It was just what I needed. My friends were all jealous when I told them about it. . . .  I think I have an inspiration 'hangover' if there is such a thing."
~ Dona Amato

Hello, my friends!

I hope you spent this past week doubling down on self love. ♥️🥰 (Missed last week's newsletter? You can find it here.) Keep that goodness going, won't you?

And, I hope you made it through the time change without too much disruption. I can tell you who is most aware of that shift in our house?! Our puppy, Javi. My attempts to shift his feeding schedule have given "hangry" some new looks! 🐶😅

Speaking of time changes, you may have noticed the very autumnal look at the top of this newsletter. That's because my dear friend, Theresa, typically visits Michigan in the fall. And, for the last two years, that's when we have hosted our once-a-year workshop, Art of Connection.

However, this year Theresa is visiting in June for a family wedding. That shift got us thinking and dreaming❣️

Personally, I am SO excited about what we came up with, and I think you are going to LOVE what's happening. 🦋

Art of Connection is a dream-come-true collaboration. And, true to all successful collaborations, it features both of our distinctive styles and talents. Together, it forms something even more beautiful. 💕

Theresa will guide you through a very intuitive, creative style of painting. I will lead you through gentle, powerful breath, meditation, and movement. 

• If you have tons of experience in both these categories? Amazing! This workshop is for you
• If you have no experience, or you have fears around either of these areas? We've got you. This workshop is for you. 
• If you've joined us before and wonder if there's anything new this time around? Oh, indeed! This workshop is for you. 

​Not only is this year's workshop at a different time of year:

• it's in a new location ~ I am so excited to share my home studio with you, conveniently located in downtown Douglas, 180 Union Street
• it has been distilled ~ you will have an amazing experience without sacrificing your entire day | Saturday, June 24 | 2 - 5 P
• it is limited to eight participants so you can create courageously and be super supported 
• it's at a new price point! 🫶🏽

Registration is open to YOU first. You can learn lots more, here. If you have questions, please reach out! 

I truly hope you can join us.

LOVE,

~ m ♥️

"When you love yourself, you glow from the inside. You attract people who love, respect, and appreciate your energy. Everything starts with how you feel about yourself. Start feeling worthy, valuable, and deserving of receiving the best life has to offer. 
​Be magnetic."
~ Vybe Source

Hi, beauties!

How are you today? 

If you hurried through it, or skipped right over it, please . . . take a few big breaths. And then, (re)-read the quotation up above. 🎤💧

Wow! These words embody so much of what the journey is all about. Loving ourselves is big, important work; however, this work is often set aside, neglected, or avoided all together. 

I wonder how much of the chatter inside our brains is actually consumed with negativity towards ourselves? If we could calculate, what percentage would it be? 😬

And, for what? To what end? 

This is one of the many reasons why I love, and need, a daily practice.

The very second verse, written by Patanjali explaining yoga, states, "Yogas chitta vritti nirodha" or "Meditation and contemplation are powerful tools for training and disciplining the mind." (Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Yoga International)

Notice it does not say "control" the mind. It says, "train" and "discipline." 

That's right! We can choose to train and discipline our thinking. We don't have to stay in the well-worn grooves of fear, insecurity, negativity, or doubt.

We can move that needle into a different groove!

And, I do believe these shifts can happen very gently.

Yoga encourages us to take care of our physical body, our mental body, and our energy body. All of yoga is a practice of self-awareness and self-love.  

And, all of yoga can be gentle. And spacious. And accessible. 
So, I'm asking you join me.
Let's all focus on loving ourselves more fully.
Let's all aim to "glow from the inside" and "be magnetic." 
I believe when our heart space lights our path, when our vibrations are raised, then . . .  our light and love ripples out.

Our love connects to, and benefits, those around us.
And, it attracts the right people and opportunities to us. 

Maybe it does all start with how we feel about ourselves. 🥰

If you're ready to offer yourself a daily practice, but aren't sure how to get started, reach out! Together, we can customize something that serves you. 

Big hugs and big love,

♥️ m

P.S. Shhhhhh. 🤫 I'm letting you in on a secret. YOU are the first to see the exciting evolution of Art Of Connection. New format. New price. Theresa & I are SO excited! We hope you can join us. 

"Nonresistance is the key to the greatest power in the Universe."
~ Eckhart Tolle

Hello friends!

A short note this week. My time and energy are being gobbled up by our construction project. I VERY much look forward to (eventually!) being fully nestled into our new spaces. The good news is, I can really see them now! Tile has been grouted, counters are in, new bedding has been washed. 

And, between power outages, bouts of Covid, and additional unavoidable circumstances . . . the project is taking longer than expected. (Words spoken by nearly everyone who has ever built, remodeled, or put on an addition?!) 😅

This extended transition time is serving as a powerful reminder of just how much I value, appreciate, and need homeostasis. Having a place to relax into, a place that is a refuge, is a privilege. It's a privilege that I never want to take for granted. 

And, here's the thing. Even when things are a lot more chaotic than normal in our external happenings, there's one place you can always find peace and tranquility . . . within. 🥰

It's incredible to know we all have access to ease, and serenity, and relaxation within our own bodies. I'm so thankful for each and every tool in my robust toolkit that allows me to release stress and return to center. Yoga is definitely not something practiced only on my mat; yoga is the pathway to my place of refuge. ♥️

Not sure where to begin? Join me in 3 letting go breaths:

• From the base of your belly, to the tops of your lungs, inhale through your nose.
• As you fully release your exhale, from the top of the lungs all the way back down to the base of your belly, sigh out through an open mouth while making an audible sound: i.e., Hhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa
• Do 2-4 more rounds

Fantastic! I feel better already, how about you?

Got even more letting go to do? 

• Try moving your arms UP overhead as you inhale and sweeping them back down as you exhale
• How about sticking your tongue out on the exhale and giving it a little roar
• Start by standing with feet gently spread and knees slightly bent.  Swing your arms up on the inhale. Fold as you sigh/roar out your exhale, arms sweeping along with you.

Such a simple thing. Quick, easy, free, and impactful. Add that to your toolkit! 🫶🏽
Here's to finding peace within,

~ m ♥️

"inner peace doe not usually look like being perfectly blissful or being pristinely calm. more often it is the awareness that tough emotions are moving through you with out giving them control. you feel the chaos, choose not to give it any fuel, and intentionally move gently through your day. "
~ yung pueblo

Hello, my friends!

I hope you enjoy a glimpse of our pup's energy and enthusiasm. 🐶

I really should try and capture Javi's excitement when Mike arrives home. I call it the "full-body wag," because every cell and fiber of his little body is shimmying and vibrating with love. Javi can barely contain himself; it melts me and Mike every time. 

While I LOVE witnessing Javi's exuberance, I know that throughout the day, he has a full-range of moods and energy levels:

• He can be tireless at games of fetch
• He is determined to find the exact thing you don't want him to chew on and then go to town with those little teeth 
• He knows precisely what time of day it is, because he reminds me the minute it's time to eat
• When he's finally worn out, his snuggles are the best

Honestly? Tending to his needs is a great reminder of all that we experience in a day. 

I love the yung pueblo quotation at the top. (Go ahead. Take another read. 🙄☝🏽)

• What does inner peace really look like?
• What does inner peace feel like?
• How can it become more of a reality in the day-to-day busyness of our lives? 

For me, inner peace is all about returning to center . . . again, and again. As many times as needed throughout the day. So, no matter where life is pulling me, I still am connected to my highest, best self. 

Of course, this is not simple . . . because life is complicated, and stressful, and challenging. 

And yet, it is so simple:

• Connecting to our breath 
• Taking a moment to pause and check in
• Becoming still and present  
• Allowing ourselves to feel all that's happening
• Doing what's necessary to move through the stress in order to complete the cycle
• Offering ourselves a balance between effort and ease, so we can "move gently" through the day

Coming to my mat, every single day, is my commitment to myself and to this process. It's the best pathway I know to living with greater inner peace . . . to enhancing our creative fuel, our flow, and our fulfillment. 

Some days the practice is long; it can be very physical.

There are days when I flow, and challenge myself with postures and balances. Other days, I am propped up and covered in blankets. 

Some days my practice is silent. Other days it is full of sound.

No matter what, I surrender into stillness. I soften my resistance. I invite in receivership. 

I set my intention for my practice, and then I ask these questions:

• What would I feel like if my intention was realized?
• What if reaching my intention could be easy?
• What if there's something even greater than the intention I imagined for myself?  

Please, give these 3 questions a try. I'd love to hear how they serve you!  

Big love while I continue recovering from Covid,

~ m ♥️
​P.S. I don't want YOU to miss out! There will only be 8 spots available for this year's Art Of Connection: Saturday, June 24, 2 - 5 PM. Save the date and watch future newsletters. As always, you'll be the first to know! 🦋

"there is an attractive vibe that people who are willing to grow emit. even if you are just starting on your journey, being comfortable with the fact that you are imperfect and are ready to move beyond old limits gives off a special energy that calls in emotionally mature people."
~ yung pueblo

Hello, beauties!

My return to teaching has been powerful medicine. That first "OM" in community brought tears to my eyes. While I am still struggling to manage my Covid symptoms and my energy level, I am doing everything I can to balance effort and ease in order to make a full recovery. 

Thank you for your ongoing patience, kindness, and support. 

And, a HUGE shout out to EVERYONE who participated in Let Go To Grow! Wow, what a GROUP. You did it! Even though your six-week journey is now officially complete, I can't wait to see where your daily practice takes you next!!

This week, a simple request from me. Please, take another look at the image up above. Then, spend some time in curiousity about your relationship to kindness.

• Is it a muscle you flex often?
• When you extend kindness to others, do you hope for something in return? 
• When you listen to someone in need, do you listen with your whole body and from a place of kindness?
• When you selflessly offer someone else kindness, how does that resonate in your body and being? 
• Do you willingly extend kindness to others, yet oftentimes withhold it from yourself? 
• What does offering yourself greater kindness look and sound like?
• Is it something external . . .  like a nourishing meal? Or spacious, distraction-free conversation time with a dear friend? 
• What happens when you explore kindness within your own internal dialogue? Can you soften, and release, the chatter that is injurious and unhelpful?

Here's to expanding our heart space
with acts of kindness for others and for ourselves. 
Light and love to all,

~ m ♥️

​P.S. Even in the fog of Covid some exciting things have been happening. Theresa Gray and I are THRILLED to announce an updated version of Art Of Connection! More details coming soon, but save the date: Saturday, June 24, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

"Throw everything away, forget about it all! You are learning too much, remembering too much, trying too hard ... relax a little bit, give life a chance to flow its own way, unassisted by your mind and effort. Stop directing the river's flow."
~ Mooji

Hi, beautiful beings!

When I was a kid, my family didn't take many vacations. When we did, it meant piling everything into the family station wagon nicknamed, "The Grocery Getter." 

The huge back-end of that rig meant my brother and I could fold down the seats and sprawl out in our sleeping bags. I loved that part, because simply climbing into my sleeping bag felt like an adventure was about to unfold. 

However, knowing my older brother and I, I'm certain we didn't climb quietly into our bags and peacefully rest. I'm sure we were barely fifteen minutes down the road before asking, "Are we there, yet?!"

This familiar refrain begins to capture my experience with Covid. After this many days, I feel a bit like that girl again . . . ready for activity and adventure, but needing to rest a while longer. 

• I am astonished by the outpouring of love and support from people near and far. Seriously! You are incredible; the uplift is so appreciated!
• I am THANKFUL Mike's journey with the virus was quicker and involved less struggle.
• I am grateful for the peaceful place in which I am recovering.
• I am humbled by my the persistence of my symptoms.
• I look forward to feeling more like myself again. 

​But, I'm not there yet. So, I'll settle back into my sleeping bag and rest a while longer. 

Hope you are well,

♥️ m

P.S. Mike captured the outdoor photo of Javi, and I can't help snapping photos of that puppy cuteness perched next to me on the couch. Enjoy! 🐶

"Healing yourself is connected with healing others."
~ Yoko Ono

Hello, my friends!

A few more celebratory photos from my time in Utah. 🎉

And, a wonderful update: the three singing bowls you see pictured above? They came home with me! I am SO excited to begin sharing them with you. 🥰

Darcy, Theresa, and I spent HOURS picking them out. There were hundreds of bowls to choose from in the pop-up store at Sundance. (There's SO much more beauty around this whole story; I look forward to sharing!) 

Each bowl is truly special, and the vibrational sound quality is amazing. Put all three bowls together? Real healing alchemy is happening! I look forward to future sound baths and deep meditative immersions with you. ​

To read what happens next, click here. 😷

"Sundance was started as a mechanism for the discovery of new voices and new talent."
~ Robert Redford

Greetings from Park City, Utah!

A short note this week.🥰

I am soaking up every moment at Sundance Film Festival! Being in the mountains, with TONS of snow, amidst the creative energy and the buzz, with two of my dearest people?! I am HERE for it ALL!

I love that Sundance is a decades-long celebration, and a lifting up, of new voices; it's exciting to be immersed in the spark. 

And, I'm grateful for this time to refuel. 

The blue skies, mountain air, time with cherished girlfriends . . . even when it's all happening at a complicated time for our construction project, our puppy, and Mike's work schedule? (Thanks, love, for holding it all together at home! ♥️)

This time to change gears. To recharge. To sing and laugh until 3:00 A.M. To be inspired, challenged, and awed by creativity. It's SUCH a gift. 

No matter where you are, I hope you find ways today, this weekend, to recharge. To spark your own creativity. To rest and reset. Let's all breathe into the moment and celebrate ourselves!

Love from the mountains 🏔️

~ m

P.S. Thanks so much for ALL of your feedback from last week!
I'm thrilled you're excited about possible trips to Portugal and retreats to Costa Rica. 😃

And, thank you for expanded speaking opportunities to share the benefits of regulating our nervous system and reducing stress. 🫶🏽  ​

"The Universe is not outside of you.
​Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are."
~ Rumi

Hello, my friends!

From January 1 until the first New Moon of the year (this Saturday, January 21!), I like to reflect, and dream, and get very clear within. 

As I reflect, I am full of gratitude. 

• I'm deeply grateful (and wildly surprised!) that I have successfully extended my service and outreach through Digital Course offerings. If you had told me in early 2021 that I would connect with yogis across the country in this way? I would not have believed you!
• I'm especially thankful for the return to Italy for the Yoga, Food, and Wine Tour with Butch's Culinary Wine Tours. What a trip! What a GROUP!
• I'm still amazed and humbled by the opportunity to speak to the teachers and staff of Clawson Public Schools. Helping you start your school year was a highlight of my professional year! Thank you!
• And, I'm profoundly grateful for you. Writing each week is an offering that I bring my whole heart to. But, I am now beginning to understand how much energy is exchanged here! Thank you for showing up, open hearted, and meeting me here. I'm so thankful we are on this journey together.  

Click here to continue reading about my dreams of service moving forward!