A soft beginning
A friend asked me what I have been up to lately. It was a great question, but one I strangely enough had a bit of trouble answering, and I'm thanking my softness practice for that.
Just like everyone else, I have a lot going on between having a little one, a partner, a career I'm passionate about, and an aging parent I'm caring for. But interestingly, all of the events happening in those parts of my life weren't in my mind at that moment. I was content sitting with a friend, hearing her talk about some things that were on her mind. The art of listening and responding feels so good that, when she asked about me, the events of my own life didn't feel the need to pour out.
We all know how it feels when we rush to tell a friend what's going on. We need that release and that comfort. When we pour out, we feel so much better because we've been paid good attention. It's a healthy and awesome way to release tension and come back to feeling in harmony. Also awesome is knowing that we can do that for ourselves in our practice and in any moment we remember with a good old Softness Break. I guess my little connection moments have been adding up because, in this particular moment with my friend, I was all filled up, ready for her to pour and not needing or even wanting to pour back. I had the release. I felt balanced. I shared with her a bit about this and then shared some things that had been going on during the week, but it was so cool because we could easily get back to enjoying each other's company without too much "catching up."
I've been reflecting this week on my younger years and all the times I couldn't wait to get together with a friend to spill the beans on everything that was going on. I needed that support and encouragement. Now that I'm in my soft era, I am starting to observe myself enjoying people for who they are and what they are interested in sharing, whether it's details about themselves or ideas about anything they are excited about. I'm seeing the special twinkle in everyone's eyes and am able to appreciate people for who they are and where they are in their lives instead of wondering what they are up to. This is a massive benefit of a softness practice: to be in harmony with yourself so you can see the harmony and spark in others.
I believe this is the goal of the handshake I was encouraged to share all my life in church, where you turn to the people around you, shake hands, and mumble, "Peace be with you." I believe this is the goal of the Namaste welcome signs at the airport in India. I believe this is what a well-wisher means when they say, "Bless you," when someone sneezes. The various expressions are different, but the meaning is the same. When we are in harmony with our body, mind, and whole self, we are in harmony with everyone and everything around us. We become the meaning of what I stumbled onto calling what we share, stråla. We radiate light.
Let's keep practicing together. A new class is ready for you every day on the Strala app, and today's 30-minute Restorative Yoga session is the perfect Sunday reset to carry a little more softness into your week.
With love,
Tara
Your week of accomplishing more with less tension is ready.
Sunday — Restorative Yoga
Monday — Weights with Ease
Tuesday — Tai Chi
Wednesday — LIVE Gentle Yoga
Thursday — Weights with Ease
Friday — LIVE Energize Yoga
As always, you can follow along with our daily global studio schedule or choose your own adventure based on the time you have and what your body is asking for. Everything is right here, ready whenever you are.
So grateful for another week together.
Upcoming In Person Classes, Workshops and Trainings
Kansas City, MO. July 25-26. Join us for a weekend intensive in softness, strength and community at Maya Yoga. RSVP your space here.
Amsterdam, Netherlands. September 19-20. It's a homecoming for sure after several years away from Amsterdam. Join our vibrant community. RSVP your space here.
Metzingen, Germany. September 26-27. Our Weekend of Softness is a gathering you don't want to miss. Practice together, connect with our global community, and spend a weekend moving, breathing, and living softly. RSVP your space here.
Effingham Illinois. Join us Saturdays ongoing, for an easy going Energize Yoga class. It's been incredible to be part of this growing community. Join us. RSVP your space here.
Online Trainings - Learn Together
Healing and Teaching Support for Trauma and Stress with Tai Chi and Qigong RSVP here.
500+Hour Advanced Tai Chi Training Jan 3 - Dec 31 RSVP here.
200+Hour Yoga Teacher Training - April 5 - March 3 RSVP here.
