Miracle of Rest: Rooting to Rise
"We must surrender to the quieting of all intent and regret, so that the small light of the beginning can rise in us, again and again." – Mark Nepo
Spring blessings to you, wherever and however this message finds you today. Take a moment to center—breathe in deeply. Pause. And exhale fully. Begin to smooth out your breathing. Let yourself arrive, with a lightness of heart.
Spring brings shifts both external and internal, reminding us of the power of attuning to the rhythms of nature. Kapha season, with its earthy and watery qualities, invites steadiness, nourishment, and protection. Paired with the emotive and ethereal energy of Pisces, we navigate this time with sensitivity, feeling the pulse of renewal.
Lately, my primary inward focus has been revising poetry, journaling, refining practices, and trying to balancing the demands of service & small business life—all while holding space for emotions in a deeply embodied way. Alongside these inward practices, I’ve been taking daily walks with Koba, immersing in dance, music and inspired storytelling, preparing nourishing simple meals, and connecting with family & friends. The inward is so necessary to meet the outward. Our practice remains- a place to return to the whole heart, to listen, and to liberate. It’s from this place that we rise again, connect again, and thrive again.
The Power of Rest & Sleep
This week’s, lets focus on rest as the foundation for renewal. As we prepare for longer days and brighter mornings, our ability to rest deeply allows us to meet life with more clarity and presence.
National Sleep Awareness Week (March 9–15) highlights the importance of sleep hygiene—consistent habits and routines that support restorative rest. This aligns beautifully with dinacharya, the Ayurvedic practice of daily rhythms that sustain well-being. A mindful approach to sleep strengthens our prana (life force) and supports balance in our waking hours.
I’m honored to be part of the Reed College community as they engage in a four-week Sleep Challenge focused on sleep hygiene and goal setting as their term comes toward a close- diving right into the next. In yoga therapy, we often begin with assessing restfulness—how deeply we replenish ourselves before meeting the demands of each day.
"Day after day, we are covered with the dust and grit of what we go through. It tends to weigh us down... despite our stubbornness of concern, we tire and must turn over to night. This is a good thing. For no matter how unfinished we seem, the letting go into sleep is nothing short of a quiet miracle." – Mark Nepo
Whatever your rhythm, listening within and opening your lens to the season ahead can bring renewed perspective. How can you create space to rest more fully, to root into your foundation, steady and strong? How can you rise from that place, giving and sharing your gifts with greater ease?
"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." – Jack Kornfield
A Small Step: Prioritize Rest. I encourage you to start with awareness of your current nighttime routine and sleep hygiene. I’ll soon be sharing resources to the Community Circle (NEW! Keep reading). If you’d like to receive them, join as a community member and I’ll include you at that time.
Honoring the Feminine Within
In homage for recent International Womxn’s Day, I invite you to reflect on the strength within you. Fellow seeker Tonyalynne of The Courage Practice shares:
"May we lift each other up as we rise. May we make things better than we found them. May we hold each other close, champion each other fiercely, and love each other madly. The world will be made better when we stand together—as we are—trusting in our natural power and practicing our natural courage."
In the spirit of lifting one another up, I’m excited to introduce a new way for you to support my work and stay connected.
Introducing Membership – A Way to Support & Stay Connected!
Many of you have asked how to support, and I deeply appreciate your dedication to this practice and the reflections I share. I’m excited to offer free Community Membership as well as a Root Supporter Membership for just $5/month—less than the cost of a fancy coffee.
🌱 Join as a Community or Root Supporter → Supporter Membership 💛 Prefer a One-Time Gift? Support Here → One-Time Donation Link
It’s my intention to continue growing and sharing more practices—slowly and steadily, in alignment with my vitality. Your support allows me to keep holding space for our shared practice.
Practices This Week
Prime your body, clear your mind, and nourish your heart for your spring awakening.
In-Studio @ YoYoYogi
- Monday @ 6 PM – Mellow Monday: A 75-minute integrated yin practice. Learn More
Online via Zoom
- Tuesday & Thursday @ 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST – Morning Yoga: Rise, Move, Pause. A 35-minute accessible, pay-what-you-can class. $8 recommended, $12+ includes replays. Register Here
Yoga Therapy
- Virtual & In-Person – Complimentary discovery & intake session. Sliding-scale pricing. Learn More
If you missed it, explore the past weeks learning into Kapha season: Insights & Inspirations: Wisdom of Water, Satya & Svadhyaya, Tending the Flame & Harnessing Kapha.
As you move through this week, may you rest and digest to thrive, root and rise to meet life fully.
"The sun will rise over the tallest mountain peak. The light will reach you even with your eyes closed. What you see is already on its way to finding you." – From the Moontarot
Here with you in practice.
In Love & Light,
Maya
3/10/25