Everything changes
/
©PATRICK Kern 2024
Here in Seattle, while today will be nearly 90˚, summer’s hold is slipping… the light has softened as the sun steadily draws itself back toward the south. We can all sense autumn’s whispers.
My summer spanned a broad human experience. I cherished playful and relaxed time with my family in the Midwest. I sat in awe (and getting soaked) during wild and epic thunder and lightning storms. I celebrating my half century mark! I observed the magic of the spiders and the pollinators. I hiked among the tree gods and along rushing rivers. I listened to others share vulnerable and powerful things. I witnessed and held space for dear family and loved ones who experienced profound loss – multiple reminders that life and death are, in fact, eternally and always dance partners.
Death is a teacher. It’s blade is sharp, but it cuts cleanly through the bullshit to remind us what is precious, and that none of us – nor anyone we love – have forever. I am always reminded of Mary Oliver’s simple but poignant lines: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?”
Everything is constantly changing. Everything. Whether we are present to it or not. Life is one long transition. How can we honor what we are leaving behind, and also what is to come? How can we dance the dance of life with humility, grace, curiosity, and presence? I can’t answer for you. But I know that I’m personally much more skilled at it when I spend ample time in the forest and/or make the time each sacred day to sit still, breath, and listen.
In gratitude and with love,
Nicole
“When Death Comes
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it’s over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world”
©KAT BRITTEN 2023
Sunday Evening Restorative Yoga class returns with a new time!
After a long summer hiatus, my Sunday night Restorative class resumes at Datza Studio on Sunday, September 15.
*** Please note the new class time: 7:00-8:15pm ***
Class will still be held both in-studio and online. Pre-registration is required.
©NOELLE SMITHHART 2017
Yoga Therapy Practicum
My practicum client roster is full through 2024. (You can still get on my advance notice waitlist for Spring 2025 – see the link below.)
However, I have several incredible program colleagues who are seeking select clients to fulfill their practicum hours. I would be more than delighted to chat with you and match you with someone with whom you would be a good fit! Email me about this!