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January 2024
Hello Friends...
The culmination of another year is upon us. As I approached the final moment when I am supposed to invite newness and clarity and the naive intent to start all the projects that I have not yet been able to embrace in the last 30, 40, 50 years ... I paused and redirected my focus to our world, our planet, our only home. I reflected upon the beauty and the destruction, the good and the evil, the joy and the sorrow, the truth and the lies. I cannot welcome the new year with fireworks and long kisses, without paying homage to those whose homes have been destroyed, whose futures are in peril, or who have lost their lives or family members to war...starvation...hatred.
I also acknowledged that I am tired of feeling hopeless. Beauty, Good, Joy and Truth are alive and well, just not getting the airtime they deserve. Most everyone in my life, including myself, supports one or more grassroots nonprofit organizations. Chef Jose Andres started the World Central Kitchen to feed communities fresh food in war-torn and impoverished nations, currently including Ukraine and Gaza. The Food Depot in Santa Fe distributes millions of meals each year to our community. In my 'hood, the Los Cerrillos area on South 14, I see on our Facebook page, neighbors digging strangers out of snow banks, hanging out on the side of the road with lost cows until the owners can be found, driving folks into town to get to doctors' appointments, handy folk offering their services for free to those in need...the list goes on and on. These offerings and good deeds do not make the bad things go away, but they remind me that there is balance in the Universe that provides a pathway for hope to survive and thrive, even in the darkest of times.
And then there is the prevailing question—Where is Lisa? For those of you who have been taking classes with me for years, you may have noticed my recent disappearance.
When I was in Mexico (photo above) during my annual retreat Yoga On The Beach In Mexico, in between teaching yoga and managing the retreat, I really took the time to be by myself. I walked the beach, played in tide pools, and napped on lounge chairs. When my time in Mexico was over, I flew to Rochester, NY (photo below) to spend time with a super-duper close friend. We hiked, we cooked, we rummaged through consignment stores...all restful activities meant to clear my mind and get me ready to re-enter my life as I had left it. But, alas, no emails went out, texts went unanswered, and my calendar remained empty. I could not fathom going back to work...just yet.
I have spent the last two months resting, resetting, rejuvenating, restoring, renewing, reminiscing, and cleaning out! I am going back to teaching online and in-person V E R Y soon. All the info is below.
And I have a few words of advice:
2024 is here, with all its doors open and inviting you in. If any of the doors open to a quiet space inviting you to collect your cells and roll around in your own aura, take it. You will not regret taking the time to put yourself back together again.
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