Natarajasana (Dancer pose), GasWorks Park, Seattle, WA | © Liz Tunnell Larsen 2016
Good morning, dear friends, near and far,
It's been well over half a year since I've sent out this lil' newsletter. Winter and Spring have come and gone. During that time, there have been many endings, and just as many beginnings. The biggest news is that after 13 years of calling San Francisco home, I've uprooted myself, and am now in the process of re-rooting in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is gorgeous this time of year. The ever-changing sky, the profusion of flowers, the peekaboo mountains: each day, there is some sight that takes my breath away. There is an excitement and delightful novelty to being in a brand new place, starting over; everything is new again. And, there is a kind of fatigue that accompanies this degree of radical change. Transition is hard. It's easy to forget this while we hustle bustle to keep all the plates spinning. Our brains are hard wired to resist change because it takes more energy, and it becomes a conscious practice in and of itself to embrace it. Can we be gentle with ourselves while we are in the midst of change? While we are literally changing our brains and our bodies all the way down to the cellular level? How can we bring that gentleness into our daily lives, our relationships, our yoga practice? Self-care, mindful compassion, saying no, setting boundaries, love notes to yourself, movement, mantra, deep rest, deep breath, eating well, and seeking those things that feed your soul... all are ways to rejuvenate and keep us thriving in the midst of change. What ways do you find helpful? I'd love to hear them!
I'm excited to share that I will be in San Francisco on Sunday, August 14, offering one special class: Restorative Yoga with Massage & Aromatherapy. Class size is limited to 8, and I do expect the class to sell out. Please see details & registration link below.
As for some Seattle news, while I'm not yet teaching yoga here, I'm incredibly honored to have taken on the position of Studio Manager at Seattle Yoga Arts, one of Seattle's oldest and most reputable yoga studios. The community, quality of teaching, and space there is quite simply extraordinary, and I feel extremely fortunate to have become connected with it. I hope that when you find yourself in Seattle, you will come take a class and say hello!
Finally, in my-other-career news, I am working on some fun freelance graphic design projects, focused on wellness and the arts. If you, or someone you know, has an upcoming project that you think might be a good fit for me, please don't hesitate to email me at nicole@opencirclecreative.com.
Please stay in touch, and if you have recommendations for Seattle and/or the PNW, send them my way!
In gratitude and gentleness,
Nicole