My beautiful friends and students!!!
I woke up this morning spooned on both sides by our sweet puppies. I lingered in bed longer than usual in that coziness, musing on how lucky we are to have our dogs in this time. Any time really. They just give and give and give. I peeled slowly out of bed and went downstairs in our quiet house and drank a cup of hot water as I waited for the coffee to brew. I then poured a giant cup of coffee in an extra big mug and got back in bed. I am feeling the need to connect to you and for us all to collectively remember that this is temporary.
This is temporary. It will end.
We will hug again. And share bites of food. And gather. And practice yoga in crowded rooms. We will travel. We will look kindly at strangers and shake their hands. We will go to dinner parties. We will still wash our hands but not nearly as much. We will take the postponed trips and retreats. We will even complain about crowded places.
And guess what? We will appreciate all of those things even more. Maybe the hugs will be longer. Maybe we will schedule the trip that we thought we were just too busy for. We will feel huge gratitude that we can meet a good friend for lunch.
My younger daughter asked me the other day, “Is this ever going to end?” And while I cannot promise much about the future, I can say with confidence that, yes, this absolutely is going to end. Everything does. We realize everything is temporary.
Will everything be the same as before? No. It won’t.
We will be changed by this experience. And we still don’t know how and how much. How we choose to frame those changes are up to each of us. I meditate and pray every morning for the health, safety and peace for all beings. All of us.
I know we are all experiencing varying degrees of anxiety, insecurity and fear. In my home we have some very real financial stressors happening. A lot of unknowns that challenge my sense of safety and security. But I also know that we are better off than most. I know I have lived this long and thrived so far and that I can definitely handle whatever comes. I write to you now, surrounded by our two dogs, our daughters sleeping in their rooms, the sun rising on a beautiful day and the birds are singing.
So many birds are singing.
Has anyone else noticed that the birds seem to be singing even more loudly? Or is it just that I am finally listening more? Or is it that we humans are a little bit quieter?
This time is requiring us all to go more inward. To be mindful of how we interact with ourselves, our smaller communities and the global community as a whole. As yogis we practice ahimsa, non violence, compassion and kindness. This time is demanding we look at our actions, feelings and thoughts and examine them and whether they are aligned with our own good and the greater good. What a beautiful lesson.
I want to share with you what I am doing every day to feel supported and sustained and fortified. That said, we are all doing our best. This is what is keeping me fortified and whole. Your process will look different and that is perfect for you.
Every morning I drink a big glass of hot water as I wait for the coffee to brew. My morning cup of coffee remains a great joy and ritual.
I am waking without an alarm. It’s amazing. I am going to bed by 10 at the latest.
I am exercising every day. Without exception. Yoga. Running. Walking the dogs. Push up challenges. Every day. Preferably in the morning when I have way more energy. It also sets the tone for me feeling better throughout the whole day. This is nonnegotiable in my family. Mama needs to move.
Meditation daily. I have definitely upped my personal meditation practice and am teaching way more meditation as well.
I am constantly remembering my family is doing their best especially when feelings go… sideways. I am so grateful for how they are all stepping up. Having Dylan home from school has been the greatest gift of all. Treasured time together we never would have had.
I am eating healthy food. I am very aware that when I eat processed food or sugar that it backfires almost immediately. It just makes me feel like sh&t in every way. I just don’t do it anymore.
I am reaching out to family and friends every day via FaceTime. We do not have to feel isolated or alone. In fact, we can connect more deeply and honestly.
I am saying I love you a lot. Even more than usual which is saying a lot.
All this to say, we don’t have to engage in perfect healthy eating and exercise and meditation. All of our processes will look different. There is no one way to move through this. But what I do encourage all of us to do is to move through it on purpose. Make a choice, a decision for how you want to be and feel and make choices every day in alignment with that.
If you want to stay in bed and pull the covers, do it. If you want to commit to more meditation, do it. If you want to eat a pint of ice cream, do it. Just do whatever it is on purpose.
I love you.
J
My offerings in this COVID era:
1 Live yoga through Zoom three times / week.
Tuesday 12:30-1:30PM PST
Thursday 12:30-1:30pm PST
Saturday 9:30-10:30am PST
Pre registration is required. Link below to sign up.
http://jocelynsolomonyoga.com/classes-om
2. Private yoga sessions via FaceTime. Please reach out to schedule a time.
3. Private guided meditation sessions. 30 minute sessions.
4. Private yoga and meditation combo. 60 min.
*reach out for any of these to jocelynsolomonyoga@gmail.com