As summer begins to wax and wane, I can feel the tinge of fall in the air as I sit on my deck, surrounded by the deep woods of the Catskills. I find myself reflecting on this past year: Where I was when I began, and where I am now.

Most people feel like the start of the New Year is January, but for me, September always feels like the beginning.

Have you ever noticed that the more you learn, the less you feel like you know?

That seems to be how I feel every year around this time.

I’ve been teaching and practicing for nearly 17 years, and I’ve racked up more than 1500 hours of formal training. That doesn’t include the countless hours and days of reading, workshops, self-play, exploration, and online courses!

Yet I still feel like a beginner in so many ways, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

I love learning new things, and I’m actually not as happy when I don’t have a new course I’m taking, or subject I’m exploring.

Using my brain this way feels vital to me: There is such a sensation of wakefulness, joy, and excitement!

I am thrilled to be able to share new things with my students, and offer a new doorway for them to greet their innermost self through the core practices of yoga and meditation.

I have always shied away from gimmicky techniques: The Beatles music as your backdrop in downward dog, a signature scent to help you open your chakras, five minutes of mindfulness to increase your bank account balance… nope, not for me.

Yoga and meditation work in many different ways, on the physical, mental, and emotional levels. But I do not believe in agenda-based, trendy practices.

There’s a reason yoga and meditation have been around for thousands of years, and they do not need anything more than the simplicity of what they are: Uncomplicated shapes and forms we invite our bodies to take… or even just sitting and breathing. That’s meditation. And yoga, too, in a way.

Life is yoga.

Within these simple practices live teachings and lessons that have endured centuries, and that carve out the path of connection, reflection, and inner attunement to our own basic goodness.

Maty Ezraty said…

“Keep in mind that, when you practice yoga, you’re not practicing to improve yourself. You are perfect. The practice is there to help you know that.” – Maty Ezraty

… and I myself would remove the word “yoga,” because I sincerely feel this is one of the biggest overall gifts from my spiritual practice:

“Keep in mind that, when you practice, you’re not practicing to improve yourself. You are perfect. The practice is there to help you know that.”

How good does that feel?!

No matter where you are along your path, take some time to reflect on how far you’ve come.

If you’ve been at this for a while, ask yourself if there’s anything you would like to change or explore in the upcoming year.

I look forward to continue sharing the many facets of practice that I find nourishing, and always staying connected to the ever-flowing curiosity that moves through us. Most of all, my intention is to be of benefit and support to you, in whatever way you need.

How are you wanting to be supported this fall?

Leave a comment below with your reflections and intentions.

Warmly,
Michele