Dear Friends,

It has been a whole lunar cycle since I was in Venice admiring the fullness of the moon. Back home now for a few weeks, I am finally getting into my groove and ready to write to you all. Traveling in Europe for three weeks left me in an elevated state, and soon after returning home, I felt myself coming down from the high. Ever experience that crash or downfall after the holidays, the summer season, or a mighty celebration? I was on a high overflowing with all the exquisite sights and experiences: the grandeur of the Dolomites and the phenomenal hikes and meals with Paul, the architectural achievements of Venice, and the layers of complex history in Croatia. Let’s just say I’ve been digesting it all while simultaneously feeling confronted with the daily news, conflicts in the Middle East, local political tensions, and the common everyday built-in stressors. So here I am—raw, real, and very grateful for my health and life—staying focused on what keeps me well and anchored.

We made it to Labor Day.  The summer was full and luminous like last week’s Super Moon, and now we are exhaling as the festivities wind down, the daily rhythms shift, and that distinct late summer/early fall mellow quiet creeps in.  For me, the last ten weeks have been busy and filled to the brim with yoga classes and celebrations.  As the pace begins to change, I’m slowly reflecting on how phenomenal it has been to spend time with our yoga tribe and loved ones, and bounce around from one uplifting event to another.

Dear Friends,

It’s happening: TruroYoga’s summer tribe is coming back together and steadily growing week to week. Stepping into the summer class schedule and seeing all of you brings me such delight, and I’m eager to spend the next ten weeks teaching and practicing with you!

It sure has been a strange and moody spring with sporadic weather changes and no distinct rhythm or flow. Global climate change sure is showing itself here with such unpredictable weather patterns, and the seasons have become blurrier by the year. I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed during the last thirty years here on the Outer Cape.

Hello Friends,

Spring has sprung, and so far we’ve lucked out with many sunny, warm days and lots of blossoming, budding new life here on the Outer Cape. It’s always a relief to be stepping into the new season, away from frigid weather, and looking ahead to the highlights of summer, the return of our extended community, and the garden’s abundance. I do admit though that the warm weather also stirs up an overwhelming, frazzled feeling within. Somehow the sunshine sparks this notion that I must get everything accomplished all at once, and my growing to-do list with garden tasks, schedule changes, travel prep, etc. has been on repeat in my mind during the past couple weeks. Can you relate? Feeling carried away seems like a norm around here this time of year, yet I’d rather find my way back to some familiar wisdom. So, with the re-occurring themes of balance and self-care in mind, my focus returns to pacing and organizing.

Dear Friends,

If you haven’t heard it enough, I too am wishing you a very happy New Year. My family and I are back from our yearly trip to Shawinigan, Quėbec.  We had a wonderful visit with my extended family and enjoyed all our yearly holiday traditions.  An annual highlight is celebrating Christmas on New Year’s Day with over 30 beloveds and dressing-up the newbie (gf or bf there for the first time) as Santa Claus. This year, my daughter’s boyfriend Tucker was the chosen one, and he played the part well as Père-Nöel! All the laughter and stories shared, along with the meaningful conversations, were the real gifts. Of course we indulged too—sweets, drinks, rich meals, yum.

The annual traditions are lovely and memorable, but truly, there are always opportunities to make ordinary events sacred and special. No need to wait for the New Year, Christmas, Birthday or Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate. And let us not forget we are free and we are capable of establishing new patterns and rituals, or initiating new traditions, whenever we want! How liberating and empowering is that. Personally, the daily, weekly and seasonal rituals keep me anchored and steady. A few of them include: morning & evening abhyanga, candle-lighting at sundown, and evening moon gazing. Weekly rituals: changing the flowers on my altar, enjoying Sunday night vongole with friends, and having Saturday morning coffee-in-bed with Paul. The rituals slow me down and bring me back to a nourishing place of gratitude and pleasure. What about you—what are your rituals? Do they bring you joy?

Dear Friends,

Autumn greetings to each of you. We made it through the hot summer! I’m feeling very grateful to have finally shared so much time with our yoga community this summer. I never tire of teaching and practicing here in our magical spot, and I’m always pleasantly reminded of the strength & joyful commitment of our TruroYoga tribe.

As September rolls along, there is a strong pull within myself toward simplifying. The late summer/early fall season and the quality of light invite me to take time for deeper reflection and introspection as well as space for creativity and nuanced observation. You feelin’ it?

Summer living is full of logistics. Who’s where...Has the garden been watered…What’s for dinner…Where’s the sunscreen…Is the cooler packed…Blah blah blah. When September arrives, all of this gorgeous space suddenly reveals itself and I feel like I have a choice. Is it time to enjoy the simple and the quiet or do I continue to fill my mind with unnecessary logistics and complications? For me, it is a choice, and hopefully with time and practice, simplifying becomes my healthy “new norm.” I’ve been feeling so attracted to Simple Living Practices recently that I even made a bumper sticker haha!

Hello Friends,

            Salutations from the Outer Cape!  I’m reaching out to you here in the last moments of July, the midpoint of our high season, as we all survive some really hot, dry days.  It has been a real joy to see many of you, and if we haven’t seen you yet, please join us in class!  TruroYoga is thriving with a steady schedule of well-attended, high-energy classes.  I love meeting all the new people and seeing how beautifully our yoga community is growing.  Additionally impressive how many people are showing up for class each week, even when the humidity and temps are quite high!

A few years back, as a way of showcasing some gems of the Outer Cape and collaborating with others, TruroYoga started our annual Cape Cod Weekend Simplify Yoga Retreat.  Mark your calendars and sign-up now for this year’s Retreat, Friday October 21-Sunday October 23, 2022. There are very limited spots available for this intimate experience so please don’t wait too long to be in touch and secure your place.

Greetings everyone,

We are home from our retreat in Portugal and summertime is rapidly turnin’ up. I think we can all relate to the feeling of a switch being flicked-on. It can quickly feel bright, busy, hot and all-consuming, especially after the past two summer seasons during the pandemic where most of us were confronted with a different rhythm and much slower pace than our usual summer wildness. Although I hope we will never be longing for those long quarantine days, somehow I don’t want us to forget the sweetness of those simpler times. The Portuguese word saudade comes to mind. During the last two summers I enjoyed uncomplicated afternoons at Longnook, boogie-boarding when the tide was right, leisurely reading, and spending quality time with my family. This summer will be quite different, and I am fully embracing the return to my regular schedule while setting the intention to sustain a sense of balance. Can we all remember to take time for quiet, rejuvenating, cooling activities as the summer ramps up!?