Both And

This December 25th join me for a special 90-minute workshop at Sellwood Yoga. There will be some quiet meditative moments, Hatha yoga (accessible to all levels and all ages), a few poems, restorative poses and a deeply restful savasana. You will find Both yoga And a moment to rest.

Yes, the workshop is on Christmas Day but this is not a commercial or religious celebration class. No Santa hats, Christmas tree ornaments, or wrapped packages. Not even ugly sweaters, unless you decide to wear one. What you will find is candles and the greenery in the studio. Both a normal day And a significant day.

For some, the holiday season holds great significance and brings a celebratory time to their life that isn't always there. The traditions and rituals are comforting. For others, December 25th is just another ordinary day. I am somewhere in between. Both And.

Sometimes holidays are incredibly joyful and jam-packed full of what we want them to be. Sometimes embracing joy and expectations to lean into the season are not possible. Traditions others enjoy can cause discomfort and anxiety. I am somewhere in between. Both And.

When we are inundated by shopping reminders, unfulfilled wish lists and also feel pressured to gleefully celebrate, overwhelm can become constant. Pushing through the overwhelm is possible, using the busyness of preparations, attending parties, baking for a cookie exchange, and shopping small as our panacea. Movement and momentum to meet the deadline. In the face of this deluge are you the one who goes to hibernation and hot tea, using the comfort of home as your refuge? Doing less to manage emotions. Reaching our saturation point could mean the JOMO* approach: taking a slow and simple journey to arrive at the day. Whichever path is followed (or somewhere in between) you can choose to be Both openly celebratory And quietly reflective. 

Regardless of where or what you might have been doing leading up to this December 25th, I invite you to join me for a joyful and restful yoga class, to ease back into your whole self as 2025 comes to an end. Both And.

*JOMO: Joy of Missing Out. Often used as an option to FOMO: Fear of Missing Out.