Every once in a while I get those half asleep/half awake nights when I keep cycling, tossing and turning through messages, memories, past experiences, and intuitions. Often these nights will leave me feeling hungover but with a sense of clarity or awareness on an issue or a pattern that I wasn’t resolving otherwise. Last night was one of those nights. So were the two nights previous. (Side note: I could probably use a nap.)

Last night, my thoughts brought me back to moments when I felt bullied or denigrated, sometimes choosing to stand up for myself and sometimes holding back to maintain peace. I was recalling people who stood by my side in those moments and those who were silent. I have not had experiences like this for some time, but I was being reminded of these emotions for a reason. I was enormously frustrated when I chose to tolerate unkind behavior, and deeply hurt when my sensitive nature was used against me or when I felt alone. There was an attachment present that made me want to revisit these memories and fight back. That attachment is now dissolving at a rapid pace, and so are all the emotions that came with it.

Anytime an attachment is released, the immediate sensation is often a sense of emptiness. These emotions weigh heavily for long periods of time and we don’t even know they are there, because they become part of us. The lack of these buried emotions feels like an empty hole. And it really is energetic space that needs to be filled. It’s space that can be used for growth and new perspectives. It’s space that can be used for healing. It’s space that can be filled with love and awareness. A sense of relief may not come right away or at all… rather it becomes a gradual process of fulfillment once you make choices that are in alignment with your well-being.

Another thing that can happen is you start to realize how those attachments were creating other attachments that weren’t serving you. We tend to seek out certain people and experiences that fulfill an addictive need to feel a certain way. Nothing makes me feel more self-conscious than being unseen, ignored, or unacknowledged — yet I kept finding myself in that space. Negative emotions are just as addicting as positive ones. When you release a particular attachment, certain relationships with other people may dissolve. Ideas or goals based on fulfilling a sense of hurt may shift. It’s impossible to grow when things are holding you back. And it’s up to you to make those decisions.

When I woke up this morning, I knew that I was going to stop waiting for other people or circumstances for clarity or even closure. I know what I want, and a small sliver of fulfillment is not enough. Waiting is no longer an option. Sometimes you just have to decide: All or nothing. Hang on or let go. Clarity or perpetual confusion.

You can’t find answers standing in fog. You have to seek better ground. Otherwise all of the normal patterns and thought processes will just recycle and repeat over and over… leaving you feeling unfulfilled but without understanding why. What are the repeating patterns in your life and where do they originate? Gaining awareness is the first step towards the journey out of the fog.

Developing a personal yoga practice is a challenge for everyone -- but it's especially challenging for yoga teachers. The image most people have is a yogi on their mat 24/7, attending free classes, doing fancy poses out in nature, walking on walls, etc. But Instagram certainly isn't representative of yoga in real life, and especially not from the perspective of a teacher. Unless my photographer husband happens to be walking near me when I bust a yoga move, a camera isn't anywhere near me when I'm in my practice. And what does that even look like?

Yes, I've been doing yoga for a long time and I can pretzel and invert myself into crazy positions when sufficiently prepared and the desire arises. But my practice traditionally consists of the same standard poses that don't make for a fancy photo collage, and I invent my own poses and flows frequently, because it's more about how my body wants to move and be positioned rather than how someone else defines asana. It's personal. And by discovering how my body wants to move in certain states and moods, I can effectively translate that into a sequence I feel confident sharing with students. 

But to be perfectly honest, most of the time when I'm constructing a yoga flow or sequence, it's for my teaching. My *personal* practice consists of mostly Kundalini Yoga (which I don't teach) and meditation. Those practices are very much my own. When I became a teacher, yoga became something that I share, and I am 100 percent on board for that. Becoming a teacher doesn't mean you've advanced to supreme yoga status. It simply means that you're ready to share the practice for the benefit of others, rather than just yourself. And teaching is something I absolutely love.

That being said, a yoga teacher cannot forget their practice or their body. And yoga can mean so many things. I probably spend more time outdoors than on my mat. I hike almost every morning, but I see that as part of my yoga practice. What is really more yogic than being outside in nature, breathing fresh air, and moving my body in a healthy way? A typical day might consist of a 15-minute kriya, followed by a 90-minute hike, a 30-minute kriya later in the afternoon or evening (depending on my teaching schedule), an hour before classes devising yoga sequences, and at least a few moments of meditation sporadically throughout the day. This routine evolves and changes depending on the season, mood, or phase. Many days I can barely fit in a 15-minute personal practice. Sometimes I teach three or more classes per day (and on those days my mat is my constant companion). Sometimes I hike for three hours or spend time on my kayak. Sometimes I have a creative burst and spend all day making jewelry or painting. Sometimes I spend the majority of the day in meditation or conducting readings. Sometimes I'm in business mode and spend hours at the computer. Sometimes I give myself a day off to just do whatever I want or nothing at all. 

For me, a personal yoga practice consists of:

• Listening.

• And that's it.

Listening is how you tap into creative consciousness and dive deep into the space that prepares you to evolve, stay healthy, and teach. Listening is how you connect with the energy and presence of your students and community to discern what they need. Listening is how you discern, for yourself, what belongs in your life and what doesn't. 

Some of my best teachers didn't demonstrate fancy poses or show off their ability to excessively theme. They tapped into the energy that was there, in the moment, and communicated that effectively. And I can't say for sure, but I'm confident they were able to do this by deep inner listening and an understanding of how yoga moves with the energy of the moment. 

And that is a yoga teacher's personal practice.

Wednesday: It's approaching 10 a.m. and I'm finally eating a big bowl of granola for breakfast. I have been awake since 6 (that's sleeping late for me), and I had coffee, two big glasses of water, showered, dressed, meditated, answered emails, watered my plants, and listened to an hour-long astrology podcast. Today is a laid-back day. I don't have class until 5:30 p.m. and no client appointments. Last Wednesday I taught about four hours of yoga and had two clients. Yesterday I spent about eight hours teaching yoga. This is my job now.

One year ago, a typical Wednesday for me would be dragging myself out of bed at 7, forcing myself on the yoga mat, and then lingering around outside while my husband reminds me that I'm going to be late for work once again. I would arrive to my small office void of natural light, stare at dozens of unread email messages, and find a way to kill time while my brain adjusted. It was an empty feeling. At the same time, every large paycheck I made sitting in front of the computer and pontificating about the health care industry was being diverted to a savings account, preparing me for the ultimate goal: to leave my job. I would change my mind about this dozens of times, but during the holiday season in 2017 after a series of eye-opening and synchronistic events, I made the decision and stuck to it. I told family and close friends, and it was the most empowering feeling to know how many people supported me. I had everything I needed.

When I was in high school and even a fresh college grad, I truly thought I wanted to be an executive someday -- to wear the business suits and high heels, to live in the city, to make tons of money, to travel constantly and meet interesting people. I guess I thought I had something to prove. (But oh yeah, I don't like the city.) Over time, my husband and I moved further away from civilization and eventually bought a house in the remote mountainside town of Sterling. Also during this time, I worked... and worked... and worked... until I ran headfirst into an existential crisis (sometime around my Saturn return in 2012-2013). I disliked my work and wasn't happy. I was tired all the time, way too skinny, and anxiety was taking over my life. I owned about two dozen blazers, but wearing them made me feel like I was suffocating.

The thought of leaving what I worked for didn’t seem like an option, so I found many ways to try and incorporate “fixes” into my life. I rekindled my interest in things that I thought I buried long ago. I spent all of my free time reading astrology. My home and workspace became a haven for crystals, all of which were having a powerful effect on my well-being. I unburied my Tarot decks, and the cards became my best advisors (and still are). I was doing yoga every day at this point and learning to become a teacher. I was also studying the healing arts. All of these things healed and rejuvenated me, and anxiety ceased to be a problem. But these activities were hidden from my public life, and I didn't have many people to talk to. So I joined groups, enrolled in several trainings, met incredible women from around the world with similar interests, and became certified in multiple healing modalities. I was still rocking my corporate job, but the duality of the two lives eventually had to merge together. I didn't want to give one up over the other, so I did both. I worked multiple jobs for about four years.

There are a lot of ways we convince ourselves that it's normal to be unsatisfied. 

"I'm lucky to have what I have."

"I work because I need the money.”

"It's just a job. It's not my life."

"There are no other options for me."

I don't believe life should be this way. Yes, it's just a job, but it's consuming the majority of your life and affecting all of your decisions and activities. Something like this should make you feel not only satisfied, but empowered, excited, and fulfilled. Don't these statements sound better?

"I'm lucky for everything I have."

"I work because I want to."

"My life is enriched by my work."

"I have unlimited options and potential."

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a real drag that we have to make money in order to survive. (Who made those rules and how can we break them?) But I think a paradigm shift begins when we focus our energy and talents to live our potential and serve others as a result. For a long time, I thought I was pretty good at marketing. Intuitive and creative abilities are important skills to have when you're trying to create and sell a product line. But in reality, I don't want to convince people of anything. I want to see them empowered. Anything even remotely misleading will keep me up at night with guilt. And just looking at Twitter makes me want to gouge my eyes out (yet I spent 10 years in that world?). 

I thought leaving the comfortable job behind would create massive upheaval and regret. I didn't want to have to struggle to make ends meet or sacrifice my ability to travel. But in fact, it was the most natural and smooth process. Something funny happens when you move into your purpose. The pieces fall into place as if by magic. Money is an energetic exchange, and when you give energy out to the world, money will find its way to you. I am making much less money than I was before, but my lifestyle is different (and way more aligned). I am also generating more every month and regularly exceeding my income goals. At this rate, I could be doubling my income a year from now. 

Leaving a job isn't an escape from stress. When you're invested in something, there will still be anticipation and anxiety. But it feels different. I may get anxious before big moments, but the rush of joy after a successful class or workshop or training is among the best feelings in the world. 

I used to look at myself in the women's room mirror and see a tired, drained, low energy shell of who I am. I felt smaller than others around me, even with my 5'10" stature. Now I see someone infused with energy and life force. I feel and am empowered. And we all deserve to feel that way. I'm not 100 percent sure that I am exactly where I need to be right now. I'm not even 75 percent sure. Every day has the potential for enormous change. But right now I'm living in this space where I'm allowed to explore and discover what life and work has to offer. And it feels pretty awesome.

Photo by Gregory Garrison

Uranus is the great awakener, rebel, and revolutionary. He brings change, destruction, shake-ups, and new perspective wherever he goes. Last month in May, he transited from Aries into the sign of Taurus, where he will live for about 7 years. Because Uranus is such a faraway planet, the transits are slow and each one affects our solar collective on radical levels. 

While Uranus was in Aries, we experienced massive upheaval in all areas related to war, conflict, violence, personal identity, and even childbirth. That's because Aries is the warrior, and he's also the newborn. Aries topics mainly revolve around a sense of self, and taking immediate (cardinal) fiery action when necessary. During these past seven years, masks were ripped off of silent prejudice. Religious fundamentalism of all kinds created violence and conflict around the globe. People took stands and fought for what they believed in, creating the emergence of new conflicts and a war of ideas. Our concept of what leadership means and what it's actually providing completely changed. Topics around identity became prominent in media and conversation. Approaches to childbirth also changed, with scientific advancements in genetic testing and manipulation. Fertility rates are on a big decline. 

Some of these changes were positive and eye-opening. Some were brutal and destructive. It's impossible to know how Uranus energy will affect us because it is always a surprise. However, when it went into Taurus, the sign ruled by earth, we immediately saw a stereotypical representation of earth shake-ups. The erupting volcano in Hawaii got the most media attention, but there was also a "glacial lake outburst flood" in Switzerland, a dam collapse in Columbia, the eruption of Fuego in Guatemala, flash floods in U.S. midlands, dust storms in India, and more...

Taurus also rules finances, property, food, personal belongings, and worth. I expect to see more news and changes around currency, especially with cryptocurrency on the rise. Our traditional understanding of money and how we obtain resources may completely change. I also think we'll see a massive unmasking of what we are eating and putting into our bodies. It has already begun, with the rise of non-GMO and organic options, but I expect this is just the beginning. 

What is starting to dominate the 2018 collective already is a change of perspective around what it means to earn a living and acclimate to societal norms. People are getting bored and unhappy in the standard concept of a workweek and the subtle ways in which we are wrapped up in earning money. Individually, there could be career shakeups or changes that help to set people on the right path. Collectively, we may completely restructure the modern ideas of what it means to live and work. 

The different ways in which Uranus in Taurus could manifest are all conjecture. A revolution of personal farming? A new relationship with the outdoors? An overhaul of the banking system? Unmasking the food industry? New currencies? More natural disasters? New perspectives on housing and community? Less dependency on employers? All of these things could happen, but how? We can never really know. Uranus doesn't give hints, and his actions can't be planned. Hang on to your seat and prepare for radical change. 

I believe many of us are here on this planet, at this time, to be a healer in one way or another. In my life, I have encountered and maintained relationships with so many people who chose the path of a healer in different ways -- whether it is through holistic methods, healing through the senses, healing with food, healing with physical fitness, healing through art or music, healing animals and pets, healing the planet, healing by supporting others on their path -- I could go on and on. I see Reiki as a gateway, or a tool, to introduce and/or expand healing abilities that exist innately in all of us. If you work or interact with people, animals, plants -- or if you want to use this healing energy for yourself -- then Reiki will enhance and support you in beautiful ways. This practice, this gift, is for everyone.

Some part of me always knew that hands could heal. Even as a kid, I used to imagine sending energy from my heart and through my hands. As an adult, becoming Reiki-attuned seemed like the natural path, and the path of the healer has resonated ever since. Everything I do is enhanced by Reiki. I use Reiki for myself. I offer intuitive one-on-one healing sessions. I incorporate Reiki into my yoga teaching and practice. I offer healing to my family and pets. I Reiki my food before I eat it, my teaching materials before I use them, the products I use on my body, the bed I sleep in, the crystals I use, and so much more. I have studied and explored many Reiki and other healing traditions as a result of my first attunement.

The next natural thing on this journey of life is to align my love for teaching with my love for healing. I would be honored to be a teacher and guide for you if you are called to this path of healing -- whether it is to heal others or heal yourself. 
 

Reiki I is the first step of an important and meaningful journey that I hope you will take with me. The training and attunement is being held on May 19 at Central Mass Yoga And Wellness. In this training, I will teach you the basics and beyond. You will learn about subtle energy, the chakra system, what it means to be a healer, how Reiki works, how you can use it, meditations to connect you with Source energy, and so much more utilizing my unique approach and background. You will receive a Reiki I certificate, an attunement to open you up to Reiki energy, and a manual for your practice. Reiki I will also prepare you for the energy of Reiki II, which takes place on June 16.

Embarking on this path will change your life. It will change how you see and interact with the world. If this is something you're open to, then learn more at www.mandigarrison.com/upcoming-events or contact me for more information.

The theme of relationship and balance keeps resonating this month. I recently stumbled upon a blog post that discussed the solar plexus connection between twin flame relationships. According to this writer, twin flames share the same masculine/solar/manifestation energy. If one twin is in a creation and manifestation phase, the other twin will be in a dormant, receptive phase. The twin who is not utilizing the masculine solar plexus energy will sometimes feel helpless in their ability to change their situation or create a new one. Oftentimes the energies will shift back and forth between the two. Ideally, there should be a balance in the use of energy, but this doesn't happen unless there is acknowledgement of the connection.

This seemed depressing to me, but then I thought about how our entire lives are a constant journey to find and achieve balance. In work, we may go through periods of intense stress and busy-ness followed by periods of stagnancy. In relationships, if we find one person who fulfills so many of our intimate needs, we may spend less time on other relationships. If there are certain aspects of our lives that seem lacking, we may seek out people who fill those gaps with their personalities or lifestyles. Oftentimes, things naturally fall into balance without us even noticing or realizing, because the Universe operates in this way.

There are also many ways that the pendulum can swing into extremes. We have equally as much wealth, power, and entitlement in this world as we have poverty and suffering. There are extremes of people seeking salvation as there are people seeking distraction from anything that allows them to feel. We have enough food to feed the entire planet, but the power (and our willingness to give that power away) to control is too strong. Eventually the pendulum will swing in the other direction, but the transition will be messy. The ideal in all situations is to find that exquisite balance -- the neutral point where the pendulum ceases to exist.

The simple acknowledgement and understanding that things will find a way to balance is enough to create your reality. If you knew that you were balancing your power center with a twin flame, would you want to utilize all of that power for yourself? Or would you want both of you to succeed? If we disagree with someone, do we want to destroy them and take them down, or do we simply want to make sure all voices are heard? It is possible to be completely empowered in your own being-ness and purpose and still allow others to achieve the same -- even if they are different.

The need to control or give away power is just a distraction. It's an unconscious behavior that keeps us in a loop of disconnection. Real balance comes with understanding, self-love, love of others, and the desire and ability to serve and share your gifts. If we ignore the pendulum, the distractions and the noise, they will cease to exist.

Collectively everyone gets that itch in the early spring to start accomplishing big dreams and making ideas happen. This is the perfect time for manifestation. And true manifestation requires dedication. It requires knowing where you can set limits to make space for action. 

I don't particularly like to set limits on myself. Even just that word -- limits -- sounds stifling. But I have a million limits and boundaries and so do you. For example, limiting foods that don't make us feel good allows the body to remain healthy and vibrant. When I feel good, I can accomplish 100 times more than when I feel run down and tired. I love pizza, but when I eat a lot of pizza, I don't feel great the next day. So I don't eat it every day. ;-)

Lately (actually constantly) I have been thinking about how much time is focused on social media and online networking. Limiting screen time or creating boundaries on social media usage creates more time for other things. I also notice that I feel better when I'm not thinking about social media. Confidence improves, and I can focus on manifesting the important tasks at hand. This takes dedication, because our entire social fabric revolves around online networking, but when you give it decreased value, it starts to have less of a tug on your time and space.

Self-care is a big one. We think about self-care as a luxury we can afford when time allows. I invite you to think about prioritizing your self-care first and scheduling everything else around it. Find a day on your calendar that has some flexibility. Block if off, and don't let anything else get in the way. That's your time, and you deserve it. I love to teach yoga, but I know I have a limit on how many classes I can teach per day and at what times. It is my duty to honor that so I can be present for my students. My work and classes are better because I make sure to honor those boundaries. 

What limits and boundaries can you bring into your life to help you achieve your goals? Are you giving attention to things that don't make you happy? What can you do to create a different outlook or more space to find that sense of joy? Springtime is all about new birth, growth, and dedication. Become dedicated to yourself. 

So, I've had this book for a while. I've read it before. And, I even included it on my resources page. But this past month, I have been delving deeply into my study of essential oils and aromatherapy, and this book has been my number one guide.

I love all of the books Margaret Ann Lembo has offered (she also has an excellent book about crystals and their properties). The design is eye-catching and beautiful, and I would like to think she got her font and layout choices from my website (although this book was probably published before my website was launched). The reason why I love this particular aromatherapy book so much is because it includes not only the basic properties of the oils, but the details about complementary oils, correspondences, and crystals to work with. Also, some books or descriptions only talk about the medicinal uses. Lembo goes into this AND the emotional, mental, and spiritual uses. She offers a beautiful affirmation for each oil and some divine guidance.

And yes, I know some people prefer to stick to the purely therapeutic benefits of oils, but I am an airy fairy who believes in all the things, and I believe aromatherapy is powerful magic. If you're an essential oil enthusiast, want to learn more about oils, or a lover of magic and all things healing, you will love this book. And, if you want to know more about how to get your hands on the best quality essential oils out there, please contact me. 

Tree Pose at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

The first time I remember taking a formal Kripalu class was around five years ago. I was in the midst of a love affair with Kundalini yoga, and went to attend a workshop with one of my favorite Kundalini teachers at a time when many of the most well-known teachers were gathering at the Kripalu Center. I was, of course, excited and arrived ridiculously early to settle in, explore the building, and eventually walked into an intermediate Kripalu yoga class. 

It was packed. The energy was palpable, and it was a different type of atmosphere than I was used to. Cushions instead of bolsters. No air conditioning. A diverse array of people at varied levels of ability. A teacher elevated on a podium with a headset. I cannot now remember who the teacher was or the sequence in general, but I do remember listening to the theme of ARRIVAL. I remember a powerful centering focused on breath awareness. I remember meditative dynamic warm-ups.

I remember the beginning of class when we held bridge pose for an extended period of time and I watched flashes of impatience rise in my thoughts. The teacher asked us to pause and direct our awareness to the sensations of the posture. She asked us to imagine how we could learn to fall in love with this shape if we stayed for a long period of time. I felt the heat generating in the back of my legs, my belly stretching, the prana and energy arising in my throat, and the sensation of my feet pressing on the ground. I noticed a small ache in my low back and made a tiny adjustment, resulting in an even more expansive wave of pranic energy. 

I may not have fallen in love with bridge pose that day, but I did fall in love with Kripalu yoga. 

Kripalu yoga, as you can probably guess, is very much like traditional Hatha yoga. The poses are similar, and there are different levels of practice ranging from gentle to vinyasa. What sets Kripalu apart, in my opinion, are three primary components:

Self-Exploration: In my class example, I had the time and the space to explore my expression of bridge pose and ended up making an adjustment that took the pose to a new level. Kripalu encourages this idea of self-empowerment and exploration, so that the practitioner can really start to develop an intimate relationship with their body through the practice of yoga. It's more than just landing in a pose -- it's exploring and feeling and watching how the pose generates energy, creates sensation, and affects your unique body. Similarly, students are encouraged to listen carefully to their bodies to make the practice work best for them.

Beginning, Middle and End: After ten immersive days of Vinyasa training with Coby Kozlowski, these words have been hammered in my mind like a permanent brand. In this context, every Kripalu class and every Kripalu pose has a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the beginning of class, the student is guided into body and breath awareness to create space for the practice. This is typically followed by gentle dynamic warm-ups to prepare the muscles and joints. The middle of the class includes all poses and the sequence. The end incorporates a cooling down period, shavasana, and some sort of closure that assists students in taking their practice with them and off of their mats. Each class weaves in a theme that is carried throughout each component of the practice and assists students in self-study. Kripalu yoga aims to create an experience that enables students to continue their practice long after class is complete. 

Beyond the Physical Practice: Kripalu yoga classes are a physical practice, but they are designed to create awareness of the self beyond just the body. Pranayama or breathwork is almost always a component (of my classes anyways), because it helps to generate energy or Prana to enhance the overall sequence and theme. There is a strong focus on inner awareness and noticing how the practice affects the subtle bodies. The sequences are designed to go beyond strength/flexibility (although you will definitely achieve that), to a level that starts to generate energy in particular ways to promote healing and awakening. As Richard Faulds writes, "Regular practice stimulates an ongoing process of positive change that inspires you to realize your full potential."

Intrigued?

I'm bringing my love of this practice to Central Mass Yoga & Wellness in two new Kripalu classes. Starting in March, join me for Kripalu Vinyasa on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 and Level 1 Kripalu on Thursday evenings at 5:30. Check out the events page for more information and a free class opportunity.

Book Recommendations 

Just when I felt it was time for new influences in my life, Guru Jagat arrived as a parting gift from a former coworker. Guru Jagat had only been slightly on my radar, because I saw some promising kundalini yoga classes on Gaia TV (P.S. if you don't subscribe to Gaia, you MUST!!), yet I knew nothing of this wonderful and inspiring book. I immediately started to devour it, wondering: Where has this amazing Guru been all my life? 

If you love kundalini yoga, you'll love this book. If you are new to kundalini yoga, you'll love this book. If you don't know anything about kundalini yoga, grab this book! It will change your life. Invincible Living discusses the benefits of a kundalini yoga practice, but it goes so much deeper than that. This book dives into the inner workings of the physical body, the nervous system, the brain, and the heart. She talks about beauty and how to incorporate practices for radiance every day. She discusses the nervous system: why we are stressed and what to do about it. She weaves in the aging process throughout, reminding us how everything -- from the habits we create to the food we eat -- is connected to our physical health and the speed of aging. There are so many yoga, meditation, pranayam, and daily routine practices that I'll be using forever. The best part is, there were so many times I shouted, yes, YES, YES!! -- because Guru Jagat put into words what I had been trying to articulate for so long.

I would love for you to pick up this book and read along with me and let me know, in the comment section below, what you think. I have also started taking her classes on Gaia TV, and they did not disappoint!

Invincible Living: The Power of Yoga, The Energy of Breath, and Other Tools for a Radiant Life

This is a repost of last year's blog that was published on www.centralmassyoga.com. All of these words still ring true for me today. It's time to prepare, clean out the clutter, and make space. There's work ahead. :) 

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"…as Imbolc rises, the energy changes. The snowdrops are flowering, the crocuses elbowing their way through the soil. Though the nights are still long and the air is even colder, we know the tides of the year have turned. The sun is rising nearer to the east, there are lambs in the fields on wobbly legs, shaking their tails. If not yet inspired to clean out the kitchen cupboards and repaint the skirting, we are starting to formulate, to create from those plans that have been greatly cooking deep inside. It’s time to consider making tentative first steps." -- Emma Restall Orr

About two weeks ago, I suddenly had this incredible urge to declutter my home. I was sitting on the couch, looking at my surroundings, and thinking about the million-and-a-half things I had to do, when I realized: “I can’t get anything done until I get my house in order.” Now, it wasn’t that my house was particularly messy or disorganized — there was just TOO MUCH STUFF. How did I accumulate so much? Where did it come from? And why now?

Have you ever wanted to take a class or read about something or study for a test, but you couldn’t do it until you got the right binder, the best planner, new pens, a tidy work space, a new computer, etc.? There is something deeply ingrained in the human mind that needs to create a sense of order and space before we can tackle new projects. This behavior repeats itself in the natural flow of the seasons. In wintertime, when the days shorten and the sun remains low, we are not creating space for anything except rest. If we don’t rest, turn inside, and follow these natural rhythms, we become too exhausted, mentally and physically, to tackle anything new when spring comes. And as the Wheel of the Year turns, the days become longer, and the work starts to formulate — that desire to create space emerges.

This time of the year — the midway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox — was a time when families and friends would gather together in front of a warm hearth and begin the planning process for the planting season. It was an important and celebrated time. It was and is a HOPEFUL time. Winter is difficult. It’s dark and punishing and seems to go on forever. When people lived off the land, it was also a stressful time, because they worried about having enough food, enough firewood, or enough supplies for the animals. I would argue that these anxieties remain today, but manifest in different forms. We may worry about whether we can make it to work in the snow, if we will have enough money to pay for heat, if we will ever get around to accomplishing our goals.

That is why Imbolc (Feb. 1) is so beautiful. That inner fire starts to reemerge as the sun returns and lingers. We can see the end of the season, and we begin to plan for what’s to come. Wishes, ideas, creative projects, and opportunities all seem to arise out of nowhere. We look around and suddenly get that kick to make space, to plan, to prepare, to HOPE. Our yoga practice also begins to change. It’s not quite time to increase our activity too much, but we can start to create new space in our bodies and hearts. We can clean out the clutter and stagnant energy lingering in our muscles and joints. It’s a great time to work on the lymphatic system, stretch, and salute the sun.

If you’re wondering, I did get my house in order, and soon after, I read about four books, enrolled in new training programs, bought concert tickets, planned a trip, started my tax planning, wrote this blog, and made other work-related commitments for 2017. I’m still in the resting phase, but I know the work is about to begin. And I feel ready.