A Soft Beginning
I've been leading Strala Yoga workshops, intensive trainings, and 200- and 300-hour trainings for over a decade now, with a decade before that of leading, practicing, and reflecting on how I can best embody and communicate what I aim to share. Over all these years, what I've come back to again and again is softness: being movable so you can be moved by your breath, by yourself, and by others.
It's not a tagline. It's a real experience shared by so many people, in so many ways, all around the world. It's something I have experience leading, but more importantly, it's something all of us already have inside. Together we rediscover how much we're capable of when we let go of the extra tension that gets in the way.
Each time I lead a workshop, I'm a little over-excited. Thanks to my own practice, I know what to do with that energy. I come back to center, connect my breath and body, and move from there. We share with others the experience of how we feel about ourselves. If I want to have a chance to make a good connection with you, first and continually I need to be making a good connection with myself.
This weekend we were in Kansas City, Missouri, invited by our Strala Guide friend Katie Kriefall, who leads classes at Maya Yoga, an Ashtanga studio that welcomed us, our group who traveled from near and far, and their local community.
Together we practiced softness, and once again I found myself amazed by what happens when people give themselves permission to be themselves. Breath-Body Connection happens. Conversations happen spontaneously. People who were strangers begin encouraging each other like old friends. We remember that harmony isn't something we have to force. It naturally supports us when we stop forcing ourselves.
There is no pretense when you practice softness. There is just you, your awesome you, doing your best to release what you don't need while you do simple and challenging things alike.
I'm constantly reminded, when I'm in this flow of softness, that I'm in the right place. The diversity of our group feels like home. I'm always amazed that wherever we go, our community is a beautiful bouquet of ages, backgrounds, professions, and life experiences. Through our differences we connect. We learn, celebrate, and see ourselves through someone else's story, even when their life looks completely different from our own. We come together to practice taking good care, and when we do that, it becomes easier to open ourselves to others, to feel safe, and to create safety wherever we go.
I love that yoga and wellbeing practices have become more inclusive over the last few decades, but something that makes that real in everyday life is including yourself.
When you soften, let your breath move you, notice how you feel, and respond with care, you are including yourself. And when you include yourself, you naturally create a safe feeling for others around you. It feels like magic, but it's a practice available to all of us.
I just got a voice note from our Strala Guide friend Annabelle Clawson, who was at a large family reunion where one of the traditions is a talent show for anyone who wants to share what they can do. Annabelle casually mentioned that her talent was holding a tree pose indefinitely.
No one really believed her, of course. That's a big claim. So she stood in tree pose during the talent show. Act after act, she was still there. Eventually the talent show was over, and she was still there. Incredible!
Her family was in disbelief, even though they could see exactly what she was doing. They asked how often she practiced standing on one leg and what kind of strength training she did. She shared one of our favorite Strala secrets. She practices releasing every bit of effort she doesn't need for the thing she's doing.
Yes, after several minutes, tree pose became challenging. But instead of bracing against the challenge, she kept relaxing. She kept releasing. She kept breathing. And boom, indefinite tree pose. Eventually she came down simply because she felt like it, and I'm pretty sure her family is now lined up, ready to practice with her.
So this week, I'm reminded to be like Annabelle and release the extra tension I don't need. To be like our friends in Kansas City and include myself. To practice softness whenever I remember, and then begin again whenever I notice I've forgotten.
A gentle invitation for you to soften, include yourself, and move from your center during the easy and challenging moments ahead. When we soften, we don't need to be afraid of life's challenges. We know we can feel more connected and accomplish more when we drop extra tension.
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
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 at 10am 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.
