Hey gang,

We just passed the longest day of the year – Summer Solstice – and are heading toward balance again – the Autumnal Equinox. Especially these days, syncing better with the light is a good idea, not to bypass the current state of the world, but as a source of nourishment. Thankfully, the onset of summer presents us with a delicious quandary: how to express our increased exposure to light? 

We have three months. Time to get busy.

Most living things require light to grow and thrive. We are no exception. We need light. Our bodies need it. Happiness seems more accessible when touching the sunlight. Summer is a smart time to play more, imbibe more, and touch more things. Don’t forget, sunlight and water create a delightful summer cocktail. 

The sun and Earth expertly manage light and dark. They combine to vary the mixture, by only minutes each day, but by hours over months. Although tricksters, they know that life needs light to grow, but also darkness to rest and replenish. By varying this mixture, they keep us guessing but offer an implicit invitation to begin again and again.

A yoga pose is no different. Our inward dimension, for example, the empty space in the center of our chest, seems darker and less knowable. An asana’s outward expression of movement reaches toward the sun and is more visible. A yoga pose asks the practitioner to integrate both energies into a repetitive embodiment of both light and dark. Surprisingly, the result is an increase in grace. Do you know how to lift your sternum like sunlight peeking over a mountaintop to warm the valley floor?

The opportunity for transformation runs abound in the presence of light and dark. Finding light in darkness and allowing darkness in light is the cosmic wisdom that enables life. So, by all means, burn summer’s increased light at both ends…have a ball! My advice this summer is to reassure your bed, too.

Cheers,

Matthew

Honoring Jane

Please join us today, June 22, at 11 AM CT as we honor our beloved friend and teacher, Jane Gould, who passed away on May 4, 2025.

Jane came to Mind Body Solutions in 2022 as an accomplished yogi who lived with Multiple Sclerosis for most of her adult life. Though Jane's time with us was far too short, her impact will always be felt.

Jane rediscovered yoga after her PT suggested MBS's online library and live adaptive classes. In doing so, she not only found yoga again, she also found her people. Listen and watch that story here.

With her extensive yogic knowledge and practice, we knew it wouldn't be long til she was ready to lead a class. In the spring of 2024, Jane launched our Sunday adaptive yoga and meditation offering, and in a clear, calm, and confident manner, she started teaching.

Being a seasoned English literature teacher and writer, Jane also accepted the challenge to steer our MindBodyStory Substack page. She freely offered wisdom and guidance to help students creatively find their voices and share their insights of living with trauma, loss, and disability.

Jane's beautiful presence continues to be felt in many ways, including her gorgeous "badass beautiful" photos, like the one above, which will continue to grace our MBS communications.

Matthew Sanford will lead today's gathering. After a short yoga practice, we'll have time for sharing reflections and stories about Jane.

Click here to attend the gathering.

One could argue that Vrksasana / Tree Pose is today's most familiar and widely practiced "balancing" pose in contemporary yoga classes. Often practiced in the middle of the room, without support, this pose can humble even the most experienced practitioners. As it is often instructed, the only "good" tree pose is one that stands alone, willfully, and without movement. But here's the thing - trees have vast support networks, from their own root system to the mychorizzal network that connects it to all other trees in the neighborhood and even across entire mountain ranges. 

By its very nature, a tree is quiet, composed, and an aspirational example of, as we often say here at MBS,' balance as an equal distribution of presence.' Its fundamental nature is connection and presence, consistently adapting to and working with its environment while maintaining its inner pacing and time. A deeply rooted, grounded, and connected tree also grows more expansively and in better alignment with the space around it. 

In Case You Missed It

Yoga, Disability, & Transformation

Recording of Session Two (May 21).



Wow, what a treat! In case you missed it, here's a replay of a very special conversation between Matthew Sanford and best-selling author Bonnie Tsui.

They focused on Bonnie's latest book, "On Muscle, The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters," and covered fascinating topics -- from society's conception of the "ideal" muscle, to the perennial crowd favorite, the small and mighty Arrector Pili.

In short, we learned that muscles matter, no matter how defined...

WATCH (90 min)