Finding Balance in the Heat of Summer

Greetings everyone,

We are home from our retreat in Portugal and summertime is rapidly turnin’ up. I think we can all relate to the feeling of a switch being flicked-on. It can quickly feel bright, busy, hot and all-consuming, especially after the past two summer seasons during the pandemic where most of us were confronted with a different rhythm and much slower pace than our usual summer wildness. Although I hope we will never be longing for those long quarantine days, somehow I don’t want us to forget the sweetness of those simpler times. The Portuguese word saudade comes to mind. During the last two summers I enjoyed uncomplicated afternoons at Longnook, boogie-boarding when the tide was right, leisurely reading, and spending quality time with my family. This summer will be quite different, and I am fully embracing the return to my regular schedule while setting the intention to sustain a sense of balance. Can we all remember to take time for quiet, rejuvenating, cooling activities as the summer ramps up!?

As the seasons change, I’m perennially yearning for balance. More time that allows for quiet and presence in the subtle things, or even in the mundane, is often what I need. In this world where productivity and consumption is front & center, setting-aside time for quieter practices takes effort, and sometimes, real discipline. If you are looking to get back into your steady yoga practice, I’m offering four public classes through the summer season. It would be delightful to see your face and share the practice. Despite some time apart from one another, I’m amazed by how the support and vibrancy of our community is right there ready to be savored and shared. That sweet space will be waiting for you.

The retreat in Portugal was everything we wanted it to be. It was exactly what we had envisioned and hoped for. It was truly magnificent and fun in all ways, and I’m already looking forward to TruroYoga’s next adventure in Spring 2023. Christina and I are working on some exciting prospects so keep checking-back! Following the retreat, Paul and I embraced an unplanned week in an Airbnb in the village of Almoçageme, outside Lisbon. Going to the market, cooking, and tending to my own practice was wonderful, and being fully present in quiet moments with my partner was a beautiful reminder of what we truly cherish. So let’s keep it up…let’s rejoice in some simplicity & quiet while still loving up the wild summer energy and enjoying time together again as a community.

The recipe I want to share with you comes from Portugal but one that might surprise you. We ate this Seafood & Bean Stew during the retreat at the Herdade da Matinha. The stew doesn’t have the typical Portuguese flavors yet once I learned more about the colonial history of Portugal I understood how these spices and ingredients came to be part of the culinary experience. As you are visiting truroyoga.com, be sure to check out photographs from our recent retreat as well as the summer calendar and new playlist.

Yours,

Genevieve