And just like that…
We made it to Labor Day. The summer was full and luminous like last week’s Super Moon, and now we are exhaling as the festivities wind down, the daily rhythms shift, and that distinct late summer/early fall mellow quiet creeps in. For me, the last ten weeks were busy and filled to the brim with yoga classes and celebrations, and now that the pace is slowing down, I’m beginning to reflect on how phenomenal it was to spend time with our yoga tribe. The weekly classes were fuller than ever, and I am very grateful for our time together practicing and connecting. I also enjoyed a family reunion in Québec, a beautiful wedding with friends, bbq backyard parties, art openings in Ptown, live music at the Payomet, and many memorable afternoons at Longnook playing volleyball—wow it was a glorious summer!
This past July also marked a significant and poignant milestone for me. I turned 55 years old—the exact age both my parents were when they died. For some time, the age of 55 has been a monumental number holding a lot of meaning, grief, and anticipation. I’ve always wondered, what will 55 look like, and what will come during the next years and (hopefully) decades? Although I know many folks who are living expressive and joyful lives past 55, I’ve felt bereft of the opportunity to witness my parents in—what would have been— the second half of their lives. So I’m embracing this new season as my schedule opens up and Esmé settles back into college life in upstate NY. It’s definitely going to be a season of re-evaluation and recovery. I am blessed for the endurance my body has had over the last ten weeks of teaching, yet I am feeling fatigued, and now it is time to rest and reflect.
Paul and I are heading off to the Dolomites this month to spend a couple weeks connecting with one another, hiking, and calmly exploring. As we research the hikes, I see in photos that we’ll be walking through the clouds, and I keep thinking about how we won’t be able to see the full panorama of where we are at or what’s ahead on the trail until we venture high enough above and beyond the clouds. Age 55 is like this—I’ve reached the clouds and now I’m just beginning to peer out to see what lies ahead. Blue skies and sunshine? Spaciousness and clarity?
Even if travel isn’t part of your plans this fall, I encourage you to dive into some restful time to recover and reflect, however that might look for you. We all know the fiery summer months can sometimes feel like a fast-paced frenzy. If you are desiring some travel this winter, would you like to join us on TruroYoga’s Winter Retreat on the Sea of Cortez, Mexico? Check out the details and be in touch if you are interested!
I look forward to getting into a sweet rhythm of classes at the Truro Community Center by mid-October after my trip to Italy and TruroYoga’s Retreat in Croatia. For those of you who are back home in other cities and states, our Sunday Community Class will be both live and virtual, so please join us on Zoom.
As promised here are a few of this summer’s playlists for you to enjoy.
PHY&TC#8
PHY&TC#2
Summer at the Payomet
Lot’s of love,
G
P.S. I know some of you have been inquiring about our Simplify Fall Retreat. We currently don’t have plans set, but we are super stoked about the possibility of having our next retreat at the Breuer House in Wellfleet. Peter McMahon, founding director of Cape Cod Modern House Trust, is working on this new project and hoping to purchase the Breuer House this year. Learn more about this project and how you can help make the purchase of this incredible house possible at CCMHT.