Take Care

     After less than two weeks of opening the space, it felt at the very least unwise and more like terribly indulgent to head to the Bernese Overland over the weekend for a yoga retreat with my teacher, and yet, it was the very thing I needed to restore balance and recharge my energetic and spiritual resources. 
     In a culture that uses spreadsheets to measure success and values productivity over peace, prioritizing self-care is a radical act. Whether taking three minutes to breathe consciously or three days to study in community, the results aren't quantifiable, but the impact extends far beyond the individual. 
As Parker Palmer writes:  
      "Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch."
     This week as I spend time with my kids during their school holiday, I'll draw on the reserve of patience and presence replenished by spending time conversing with spiritual friends and communing with nature. Each morning, the well gets refilled through the daily ritual of rising an hour before the others to breathe, sit, and move. Most evenings, a bath or a book or an oil massage invokes relaxation and rest. 
     These are just a few of the ways that I take care of me so that I can take care of whatever and whoever needs my attention, which at the moment is building legos with Isla and Mavi. Because ultimately, the revolutionary potential of any self-care practice—including yoga—lies in its ability to empower us to take care of ourselves so we can truly care for each other and our world.
     It is my sincerest wish that, at Mytree Yoga, you discover a welcoming space where you can come as you are, connect with kindred spirits and dive into practices that support and sustain you in your daily life. 
Enjoy our offerings this month, spread the word, and take really good care of yourself. ​​

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