All Hallows Wisdom: Becoming in Harvest, Heart and Shadow

"You are the sky—everything else, the weather." —Pema Chödrön

Hello dear seekers,

Gift yourself, as I am, the necessary deep breaths to begin again. As we ease into this moment, start to release held tension and welcome a sense of softening. Move your limbs, relax your jaw, allow effortless ease in your shoulders. Intuitively meet yourself and relax the eyes a bit. Let yourself resettle. Take in 3 cleansing rounds of breath. Unrushed. Then. Feel the echo. Steady in your breathing. Allow each breath to become just a bit smoother. In your pace. In your time. And- we begin again. Now, the yoga begins. Atha Yoga Nusasanam - Patanjali 1.1

I've been taking in the music from Jane Winther as of late. Give a listen as you continue to read on.

In creativity, responsibility, and self-care, it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends. I’m grateful for the friends, family, therapy, and loving spaces that hold me through these times—especially when an unskillful burst of expression sears some edges as I navigate learning and growth. This process, primed in the Scorpio season of shadow, grief, and transformation, reminds me to bring grace to our own becoming—to welcome the parts of us that are prickly, imperfect, and still unfolding. Each part speaks its needs through body and mind. Can we remember that we are the sky- the witness. Our parts and happenings- the weather. A chance to bring heart to witness these parts. In the sutras- we are the seer, the seeing, and the seen. When we still the fluctuations of the mind that cloud our sky- we then rest in our own true nature. Tada Drastu Svarupe Avastanam - Patanjali 1.3

I invite you to honor your own journey with openness, grace, and the permission to lean into support. Pause, breathe, and call upon your internal reserves of compassion and understanding whenever overwhelm arises. Let this be a reminder that ruptures—within ourselves and in our relationships—can be healed, and challenges can deepen us. And if grief or loss is present for you, through the shifting seasons and as the veils thin, know we are here together. Now, the yoga begins. Atha Yoga Nusasanam.

"Open your heart to the universe. In a gentle, but wise way, the universe takes into account our fears and our natures” — Melodie Beattie

Melodie invites us to trust in the unseen growth and transformation happening within us. Often, we may feel tempted to control, push, or force the flow of life. But when we soften into trust, our actions can emerge naturally and effortlessly, in harmony with our inner timing.

"The old way said do, do, do. Push, push, push. The old way won’t do."
—Melodie Beattie

She continues in her work that the heart, not the head, can guide us toward balance and ease. Take breaks as needed. Reward yourself. Find pleasure in your accomplishments. Life flows with more ease when lived from the heart.

Season of Shadows and Harvest
As we enter Samhain, the final harvest, I'm ever drawn to these glows of orange. For vitality, and our inherent flame, spirited self to persevere as we reflect on the mysteries and transformations that accompany this season—shadow, light, gratitude, and remembrance. Samhain’s thinning veil offers us a connection to ancestors and loved ones, honoring their wisdom and the ways they live on within us.

"The shadows deepen. The bare trees creak in the wind. The candle in the jack-o-lantern burns low. On Samhain, the spirits of our ancestors are always near, in the Shadows of the Night."
—James Kambos

Further, Día de los Muertos gives us space to celebrate those who are no longer with us in body but remain forever in our hearts. It’s a time to honor our histories, welcoming both joy and reverence into the spaces they once occupied in our lives. Let’s carry this spirit of remembrance, as shadows grow that call for this inward light, spirit can reside side by side.

All Hallows Eve Yoga Gathering 2024– Nov 2nd @ 5:30pm Yoyoyogi
Join me for an evening that bridges the traditions of Samhain, Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and All Saints' Day. Honoring loved ones departed we'll gather for a 75 min Halloween inspired yoga flow with a hint of circus magic. Practice will include intention-setting, chanting, movement, an altar, seasonal treats and time in community to follow. Bring a memento, offering or photo for a dearly departed- human or animal- for the ofrenda and adorn in festive attire.

Check out instagram for the fun reels- one I worked on- and boy, what a learning experience it was... and then the amazing team at Yoyoyogi for their reel to promote this upcoming event. I have so much gratitude for the heart and care.

Ongoing Regular Offerings - Register here

Monday @ YoYoYogi in Studio - Integrated Yin 75 mins

Tues & Thurs Online - Morning Sun Yoga 30 mins

May this week invite you to practice with heart, explore your shadows, and feel the steady presence of those who came before us. They live on through us, with us. In creativity, responsibility, and self-care - let’s move forward with a bit more ease, curiosity, and trust- uncovering the joy, spirit, reverence and wonder.

Here with you in practice. In love & light.

-Maya

Share, connect or follow. Contact me if curious about private yoga therapy- virtual or in person. Above all, take in a wholehearted week.