“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
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“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. |
AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
August 2026
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