We have shifted into Scorpio season with its sensitive energy and opportunity for introspection. This correlates with our moving deeper into fall bringing shorter, cooler days and longer, cozy nights. Following the rhythm of the seasons is something we have moved away from in our modern culture, yet we are still of the earth and our internal rhythms are tied to it.

I recently came across the quote above and was reminded, again, of the power of my daily yoga practice. Every time I roll out my mat I am showing up for myself. Each movement and breath gives me information about myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Today I filled my cup by spending time with a dear friend on a hike. As we ventured out we heard a warbling sound that we couldn’t identify. We swept the area searching for the source and finally looked up higher into the sky to see a large flock of birds swirling above us. Using an app we discovered they were Sandhill Cranes. We were in awe of the sound they made and the beauty of their flight. As the first group began to fly away we saw another large flock flying in V formation making the same beautiful warbling sound.

This week we are exploring the final Niyama, Ishvara Pranidhana, translated as dedication to the highest. It is about turning to and honoring the sacred in our lives, in whatever form that takes for each of us. I associate moments of awe and wonder with Ishvara Pranidhana.

The Niyama we are exploring this week is Tapas, typically translated as austerity or discipline. Tapas represents the heat, passion, and discipline of learning or change in our lives. It is committing to ourselves and applying the energy and focus to achieve that which we seek, whether it relates to our yoga practice or some other aspect of our lives.

This week the Niyama we are exploring is Santosha, typically translated as contentment. Santosha is about practicing contentment with or acceptance of the present moment without striving for something different or wishing it away. On the mat we can practice by honoring our bodies as they are with gentleness and kindness and releasing judgement and expectations. Off the mat we can practice through being mindful of our consumption, desire to have more, or to reach whatever version of perfect we hold in our minds. It can be acknowledging the glimmers of light and joy amidst difficulty and holding that as our truth in the moment.

Over the past few weeks I have shared about the 5 Yamas in yogic philosophy, which we strive to avoid or restrain from in our practice. This week we will move on to the Niyamas, which are concepts we strive toward in our practice.

This week’s yama is Brahmacharya, translated as energy moderation or preservation of vital energy. Historically, Brahmacharya has often been interpreted to mean celibacy, but can be more generally applied to how we use our energy across the board. We can practice by using mindful awareness to notice how much energy we are expending in various aspects of our lives, including our asana practice, doom scrolling on social media, interpersonal relationships, or the food, media, or music we take in.

This week’s yama is Aparigraha, translated as non-grasping or non-hoarding. In western culture we are encouraged to have all the latest things and lots of them, so practicing Aparigraha can often feel quite challenging. When we feel driven or compelled by our need to have “things,” it can be a signal for us to check in with ourselves about what is beneath our desires. Mindfulness practices such as pausing and taking a breath or two before taking action can support us in our practice to resist the impulsive, reactive actions and respond thoughtfully or delay our gratification. When we have too much, we become focused on maintaining or protecting what we have, often grasping greedily rather than experiencing what we have with gratitude and practicing letting it go when it no longer serves us. Remembering that we are enough as we are regardless of the things we have is an essential part of practicing Aparigraha.

As we are living in a time where an extremely small number of people hold the most of the wealth in the world while millions of others go without minimal basic needs, the concept of this week’s yama, Asteya, is quite relevant. Asteya is translated non-stealing and responsibility, including not stealing material items and wealth from others as well as time, energy, ideas, etc. Practicing asteya leads us to take on the responsibility of reflecting on what we truly need, to be mindful in what we purchase and ask of others, and to increase our awareness of how our words and behaviors impact others so we are not stealing their joy, strength, confidence, or wealth.

The Yama we are focusing on this week is Satya, translated as truthfulness. Truthfulness involves honoring our own inner wisdom, being willing to expand our perspective and understanding, and being honest in our words and deeds.

I’ve been reflecting on the yogic teachings of the yamas and niyamas and will be exploring them with you over the next few weeks. The first yama is Ahimsa, which is typically translated as non-violence. When we speak of non-violence we often initially think of physical violence which is easy to clearly discern. But there are many other kinds of violence that we can perpetrate both against others and ourselves through our thoughts, words, and actions. Practicing ahimsa is practicing compassion for all beings, including ourselves, and is an essential part of our true nature as human beings.

Welcome to Leo season! As a Leo sun sign it is definitely my favorite lunar cycle of the year. ☀️😁 The fiery, optimistic, joyful energy associated with Leo season fills my spirit and invigorates me. There is something so special about acknowledging and leaning in to our personal astrological seasons and soaking up all they have to offer.

I have had the pleasure over the last week of spending time with my niece from across the pond hiking, paddle boarding, sight seeing, eating good food (and ice cream!), talking, and laughing a great deal. Choosing to let in the joy of her visit and the experiences we have shared has been an active and important choice. It has filled us both with light, strengthened our bond, and created delightful memories to balance the trauma we are seeing on the news each day. Letting in the light and joy of these moments is both healing and nourishing and I am grateful for the opportunity.

As we traverse another complicated week in our country, the quote above reminds me of our own power to chose how we show up in the world regardless of what is happening. Despite the fear many of us are experiencing, we can continue to choose to see the good around us and shine our own light into the world. This is not to diminish, dismiss, or bypass the traumas and tragedies that are occurring. It is a way to hold space for both the dark and the light and define our own lives, experiences, and responses in the process. May you hold yourself with gentleness as you ride the waves and find your own inner balance.

Welcome to July! The Power Path shared an enlightening forecast for the month that gives a different perspective to the challenges we are experiencing individually and as a country and how we can use creativity to reimagine that which is being destroyed. Tomorrow, July 4, Neptune stations retrograde providing the opportunity for us to remove the veil and see more clearly. It seems prescient that this occurs on “Independence Day” for our country. The original independence sought was not an independence for all, but it can be in the future if we resist clinging to old, oppressive systems and work to build new, inclusive ones.

I had the pleasure the past five days of sharing meditation, mindfulness, movement. compassion, vulnerability, joy, laughter, silence, and tenderness with a beautiful group of educators at our Mindfulness for Educators retreat at Drala Mountain Center. As I settle at home I am reminded of the preciousness of the opportunity for retreat and how important it is to take time for ourselves to turn inward, reflect, and make active choices for how we want to show up in the world.

Welcome to my favorite season!! I love them all, but as a summer baby I am definitely partial to summer’s long sunny days and cool relaxing evenings. Summer holds the promise of abundance and freedom and for me has always been a time to slow down, play, and connect. The sun has also moved into Cancer bringing flowing, nurturing energy for us to tap into. This summer I encourage you to intentionally engage your inner child with playful joy and care for yourself with lovingkindness.

Yesterday was a full moon in Sagittarius bringing energy to help us reassess the big picture of how we want to go forward and confirming that it is in alignment with our values. This may apply to goals we have as individuals, families, businesses, communities, etc. As we watch unprecedented events unfold across the country, it applies to our cultural and societal values as a whole as well. Exploring how our values fit into the bigger picture and what actions we can take to further those values is essential in these turbulent times.