Hey It’s Jenny, your home yoga hype girl!
Welcome to my weekly newsletter where I share personal insights & the best online yoga resources, handpicked just for you.
Welcome to the first issue of our new April theme!!! Three exclamation points because I’m extra excited about this one.
We are taking a deep dive into the nature of change.
We’ve got five Sundays to devote to this theme. Let’s ease into it, take our time and explore thoughtfully.
There is no rush. Change happens in its own time. We might as well enjoy the ride.
You know what they say about change…
Children grow up, relationships evolve, technology advances and cultural norms shift drastically over a lifetime. Even our own moods and desires are fleeting.
We live in a world of constant change.
Nature continually demonstrates this with varying weather patterns, fluctuating temperatures and, of course, the cycling of the seasons - a phenomenon many of us are experiencing right now.
According to my calendar, spring arrived on the 19th of March with the Vernal Equinox. This ceremonial changing of the seasons implies that we will soon be frolicking with bunnies and picking freshly sprouted tulips.
This is not the case in Alaska. Despite evidence of spring all around me, winter is still receding. The snow is slowly melting, revealing patches of dirt and dead grass that grow larger by the day. The air is warm and we are all aching to move into the next phase of our year.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Alaska doesn’t glide breezily from winter into spring. We have a fifth season to endure, a transitory period known as Breakup.
Nothing grows here until after all the snow has melted - an excruciating process that can last well into May, depending on the year. We all know not to get our hopes up too soon. Roque snowstorms can blow through in April and late frosts prevent even the keenest gardeners from planting before June.
As the snow melts, our yards and parking lots turn into small lakes. We put our snow boots away and dig out our XtraTufs. Though we’d really like to be wearing flip flops.
As the days roll by, everything gets progressively wetter, muddier and stinker. Many people are surprised to discover that Alaska smells horrible in the “spring”. The smell is a combination of dog poo, decomposition and mildew. A fact many people have written hilariously about.
Here’s an article that gives me a good chuckle every spring: Would You Pay For a Whiff of Alaskan Springtime? - Anchorage Daily News
Breakup is messy. it’s ugly, slow and difficult.
Some days are sunny and warm - the snow melting so fast, I’m sure it will all be gone by tomorrow. Other days, the endless mud, muck and mire make it feel like spring will never arrive.
It’s a perfect illustration of the way change works.
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process.
In order to travel from where we are to where we want to be, we must take a journey. Sometimes it feels like an exciting adventure, and other days it feels slow and laborious. We encounter obstacles that make it feel impossible to move forward.
But we’re never stuck forever, because change is inevitable. We can roll with it or resist it, but we cannot prevent it.
As I write this, I’m watching rain drizzle from a dreary grey sky, slowly melting the snow that fell yesterday.
I know brighter days lie ahead. Eventually, the snow will disappear and the trees will bud. The wild bunnies that frequent my summer yard will reappear and my lawn will turn green and grassy.
For now, all I can do is make peace with the pace nature has set. I’m thinking about going out and becoming one with the mud. Why not enjoy the moment. It won’t be here forever.
Gentle Spring Yoga | Magical Slow Flow For Spring | Moon Medicine Yoga 30 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I’ve had my eye on this channel for a while. Now, after practicing this wonderful spring themed class, I’m wondering what the heck took me so long to take the leap!
I absolutely LOVED this gentle flow. I felt amazing after I was done and I really appreciated the thoughtful introduction to the spring theme at the beginning of class. I also loved the conclusion, which included a satisfying Savasana and a beautiful reading.I can’t wait to try more classes from this teacher!!
I think you guys are really going to like this one.
15 Minute Yoga Nidra Meditation | Feel Grounded and Supported | Loren Runion 16 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I’ve been feeling drawn to this Yoga Nidra class all week. Every time I practice it, I feel so connected to beauty and potential of this time of year. It is such a comforting and supportive practice.
I like to load it up in the morning & start my day off with stability, intention and positivity. It would be lovely any time of day though.
Enjoy!
Morning Yoga With Affirmations | Black Yogi Nico Marie 15 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
Here is a quickie class I’ve been enjoying lately. It’s a great way to start the day!
Practicing yoga first thing in the morning will help you get centered and prepared to make the most out of sunny spring days. This season is all about growth and yoga gives us fertile ground from which to sprout.
Happy Practicing my little flowers. :)
I’m sure you’ve noticed a few changes to the format of the newsletter this week.
This is my version of slipping on my mud boots and splashing around in the energy of spring. I launched this newsletter seven months ago and it’s time to evolve.
I was tempted to wait until I had everything perfectly ironed out and presentable, but then I thought, why not let all of you in on the process? It feels like the perfect way to embody the message of change and work with the energy of the moment.
The process of taking this newsletter to the next level will be messy. There will be growing pains and we won’t end anywhere near where we started.
We sure can enjoy the ride though!
Let me know what you think in the comments. I love getting your feedback.
And, as always, please share this far and wide! Sharing supports my work and gets the message out to a wider audience.
Have a wonderful week and don’t eat too many jellybeans today. (I probably will)
Well said Lisa. Thank you. ♥️
Hi Jenny, I love this season of spring, as it signifies rebirth, and renewal. I am constantly reminded of the impermeant nature of Life. For me it's a daily practice of nonattachment, non-grasping/clinging, as these only cause suffering. Change itself doesn't cause suffering, but rather how I perceive it. Much love and light to you!