Funny how the universe wants us to let go right when things that we reeeaaaally want to hang on to start hopping the train for parts unknown.  I thought it was just me: my childhood pet cat passed away a month ago tomorrow, but no, I’m hearing from lots of people that change is happening, and they want things to stay the same!

Case in point: get your lovely Namaste classes while they’re hot because as of the 23rd, they’ll be no mas.    I think a lot of us are experiencing grief in all its lovely forms:

Denial: “You’ll still teach the restorative class…right?”

Anger: “What do you mean classes are getting cancelled?!?!”

Bargaining: “You can raise the price of memberships!  Really; I don’t mind!”

and Sadness: “Waaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!”

But, remember that big beautiful lunar-eclipse moon: we need to let go, trusting that all we need is already right there with us.  During this break before Namaste re-opens our doors, we can cultivate an at-home practice, all the while looking forward to the beautiful and exciting new things the New Year at Namaste will hold.

It’s a little scary, sure, not knowing what she’ll will look like in 2012, but what makes Namaste so beautiful is her family, and all the love and support that are shared inside her walls.  That’s something we don’t have to let go of.

The last day of classes is the 22^nd, so until then, enjoy your classes, and maybe take a moment to share with your teachers what makes their classes so meaningful for you.  You can get in touch with your favorite teachers via e-mail if you don’t get to see them before the break; feel free to e-mail Namaste at Namastewilliamsburg@gmail.com and request contact info for them if you don’t have it.  Many teachers will continue offering classes at Namaste, just via a different payment system.  Enjoy the holidays with family and friends, and keep your ear to the ground for news in the New Year.

Every ending is a new beginning; when we let go of something old, we make room for something new.

Namaste.

I get pretty bummed out after Daylight Savings Time, with it getting dark so early…right up until I come home late afternoon to semi-darkness illuminated by a glowing Christmas Tree!  There are so many celebrations this time of year that bring light and joy to the darkness…the most direct of course is the Winter Solstice, in which we light up the night and party away on the longest night of the year, in celebration of the light gradually getting longer every day thereafter!

Whatever you do or don’t celebrate, early Winter is a great time to bring a little extra light into your life.  Light up some aromatic candles, leave your shades up to catch every ray of sun possible, and maybe try wearing some bright colors.  Winter is the perfect time for slow-cooking soups, and roasts, and lots of baking.  Let the oven and stove lend light and warmth to your life! 

And of course, heat up in your yoga classes.  You’ll be glowing with joy in no time!

~em

www.emilyhursh.com

emilyhursh.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/omilyyoga

Last night  Rebecca Cousin lead us through a beautiful series of meditations and exercises to help open the crown chakra.  If you missed the workshop, don’t worry!  She’ll go through these energy wheels again next year; attending each workshop may be the most useful, and most pleasurable to keep New Year’s Resolution you can make! ;-)

Our Crown Chakra is the portal through which we connect to the universe, and all the people in it: those living now, our ancestors, and those yet to come!  We all have the power of communing with those far away in space, or time, it’s not a special gift or an unattainable level of yogic skill.  We just need to take the time to nourish and open up our Crown Chakra to the incredible possibilities all around us.

Try a violet or amber perfume to open up that thousand-petaled lotus, or wear a white head scarf to help cleanse and heal it.  If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by your experiences out of body, or overly anxious about what your path is right now, the color gold and the smell of rosemary can help bring you back down to earth.

Don’t be afraid to explore, and don’t doubt yourself!You never know what you’ll find…

~em

www.emilyhursh.com

emilyhursh.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/omilyyoga

Thanksgiving is coming, and whether you’re cooking up a storm, or lucky enough to be only an eater, brining a turkey, or preparing an amazing vegan feast, there’s plenty to be thankful for.  We’ve made it through another year, and though the days are getting colder, darker, and shorter, we have the resources, both physical and emotional, to weather the storm.  Whether we express it out loud or not, all that crazy cooking is a way to give thanks for our precious family and friends who we’re sweating away to over-feed on this special day.

A popular Thanksgiving tradition is to pause before the meal to give everyone a chance to talk about something they’re thankful for.  Another popular tradition is to eat until you’re absolutely stuffed to the gills, and then squeeze in a piece of pie, or two!

Ok, so maybe that second tradition should be kept to once a year, and maybe cooking all day long to feed a crowd is only worth the exhaustion once a year, too, but pausing to count your blessings is a tradition worth breaking out any time!  Cooking a (smaller!) special meal is always a good way to make someone appreciated, but it’s even simpler and more accessible to just speak up. 

How about that headstand you finally conquered?  Be thankful to yourself that you stayed dedicated to a challenging practice.  Maybe you’re thankful to Mother Earth for the beautiful spring and summer we’ve had, or for the amazing fruits and veggies we’ve enjoyed.

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the myriad of things there are to be thankful for and to.  Once you’re acquainted, keep that relationship alive with thank-you’s all year long!