March Update - Roots, Shoots and Cylinders!
Kindness by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Consider the tulip,
how it rises every spring
out of the same soil,
which is, of course,
not at all the same soil,
but new. How long ago
someone’s hands planted a bulb
and gave to this place
a living scrap of beauty.
See below for the rest of the poem…..
Photo: Giu Vicente
Contents
Online Yoga continues
- March Wed and Sat Ams;
- One 2 One monthly private sessions
- DropIn to DEEP YOGA - “Dolphin Inspiration” - 3/3
In Person Yoga:
3/2, 12-2.30pm Feet as Foundation and Source, Ukiah
3/23, 12-2pm Celebrating Spring Equinox, SoBo
Retreats 2024
Gray Bear, TN Retreat 4/25-5/2, 2024
Summer Solstice, CA 6/17 - 21, 2024 - FULL
Wait List only!
Spanish Spa Retreat 9/15-21, 2024 - Registration Open
Our Online Yoga Theme turns to the plant world for inspiration as we witness the vibrant Roots and Shoots emerging in early Spring. We also take our investigations of the diagonals further to play with spiraling cylinders!
NOTE: Subscribing fees go up in April to 50/70 per month. For those who are currently subscribed or join us in March, fees stay the same.
FREE DOLPHIN VINYASA PRACTICE.
A simple fun practice to delight in our aquatic nature. This practice will be available until 3/8 and then it will be accessible from the evolving video library where Psoas Workshop, Piriformis Practice and other videos are available. Link
For a deeper dive into Dolphins, aquatic life, dorsal fins and more, join us for a
Drop-In to the DEEP YOGA program on 3/3, 7.45am - 9.30am PST Explore your upper back, dorsal fin and the joys of aquatic life through meditation, asana and reflection.
In Person: Retreat at Gray Bear, TN
Breath Breathing Itself
- Advanced Intensive 4/24-27
- Presence in Yoga 4/27-5/2
Last chance to sign up for this retreat at the lovely Gray Bear. Ready for yoga in the most beautiful studio space (that Mary is aware of), walks to the waterfall, outdoor meditations and of course, sauna, hot tub, massage, delicious food and all the delights of a Gray Bear experience????!
In Person: Workshop
3/2 12-2.30pm, Ukiah
Feet as Foundation and Source
Info
Early Bird extended to 2/26
In Person: Workshop
3/24 12-2pm, Studio SoBo, Boonville
Celebrating Spring Equinox
Info
Early Bird ends 3/9
LOCAL ROOTS AND SHOOTS INSPIRE!
Many of you know that I have lived in this Anderson Valley area of Mendocino County for over 40 years. And I have lived in this community of Pomo Tierra for that period of time. Pomo Tierra was one of many communities that began in the late 60s and early 70s and are one of the only communities that have survived since that time, possibly being seen as originally part of the “Back to the Land” movement of that era. I say “possibly” as most of us would not have seen it as such then, or even claim it now. However our local historical society organised an event recently where Bernie, my partner and I, and several other locals of that era were asked to talk about our early experiences and how we see this area and its potency now. It was a rainy, rainy day and Bernie and I thought we were going to be part of a cosy little chat and story sharing with the others, may be 7 or 8 folks. Interestingly enough, there must have been over 70 people crammed into the society hall. Most of whom were better qualified to talk about the roots of this particular phenomenon in our part of Northern California!
There were some hilarious stories and reminders of the challenges of those days when “hippies” clashed with locals. But what was most remarkable to me, was the evidence that so many of these early “back-to-the-landers” are not only still attempting to live ecologically sustainable existences, even as they age, but also how many of them have become part of the warp and weft of the bigger community, vital energies in keeping this bigger community going. Many of these 70s settlers became the educators of this relatively poor rural area, and although experimentation in home schooling occurred it was striking to me how many public school teachers, librarians, medical folk, non profit/community organisers were present. Those that were often accused of attempting to “escape society”, are clearly the backbone of this particular locale, creating art events, infamous Variety shows, Land Trusts, amazing restaurants, climate resilience forums, political groups, agricultural education workshops and on and on.
In the audience was a person I greatly admire who considers herself a relative newcomer, having only been in the valley since the early 2000s! Linda Macalwee is a coordinator of a watershed project for the Navarro River area and a water guru of sorts. Linda, and other locals like Barbara Goodell (one of our online yogis), have been responsible for creating important gatherings of farmers, fire safety folk, government agencies, political groups, locals… to discuss and create a climate resilient area. I interviewed her on the phone about her water-work as part of the Buddhist Ecology Chaplaincy Program I have been part of and also because I so admire these local activists and the work they do. When the global and national news is endlessly distressing, one forgets sometimes that there are many like Linda and Barbara who are working to keep these beautiful areas of the world sustainable, abundant and safe.
Enjoy this little 23 minute chat we had. I am sure you have similar guardians in your area who are creating “shoots” of hope in very practical, impactful ways and with great modesty and spirit. Bless them all! Cowboys, Hippies, Boomers, Millenials, Back to the Landers, whatever useless categories we put them in!
from Kindness by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer - see above
…..Consider the six red petals,
the yellow at the center,
the soft green rubber of the stem,
how it bows to the world. How,
the longer we sit beside it,
the more we bow to it.
It is something like kindness,
is it not? The way someone plants
in you a bit of beauty—a kind word,
perhaps, or a touch, the gift
of their time or their smile.
And years later, in the soil that is you,
it emerges again, pushing aside
the dead leaves, insisting on beauty,
a celebration of the one who planted it,
the one who perceives it, and
the fertile place where it has grown.
