As weeks have passed and I’ve had a chance to reflect on all of the efforts that it took to plan these two days of fun, I have relished in the beauty of how after a mere hour together, we were no longer strangers and already learning so much about one another. The beauty of although varying in ages, body types, and preferred styles of movement, together, we enjoyed every single offering. The beauty of how food brings people together, even despite taste, allergies, or dietary restrictions. And just as a retreat does, it reminded me that our differences are the very thing that make us stronger and provide a sense of connection to each other.

The alarm goes off at 4am every morning and the ritual of self-care begins. after some time of reading ,prayer and reflection I arrive at humble haven at 6 AM greeted by beautiful smiles and the warmth of the heated studio.

Sometimes rest looks like taking a day off from exercising my body. Sometimes it looks like staying home to recharge. And other times it looks like a yoga practice at the end of a busy day. The thing about taking rest is that it gives your body the time it needs to get stronger.

“For the second time in as many months, everything in my life changed in an instant- each its own specific lesson in impermanence and non-attachment. In yogic philosophy, the fifth Yama is Aparigraha, a Sanskrit word translated as non-attachment or non-possessiveness, the idea that there is a level of spiritual freedom to experience when we work to understand the impermanence of everything around us. What about my physical practice (and my body) was I attached to? What did I make it mean, that I could not teach or practice yoga?”

Life is all about the journey and what you experience along the way.

Teaching various offerings at Humble Haven, as well as what I’ve taught in the past, allows me to have a different experience every time I show up for ‘work.’ The versatility that exists within my teaching nourishes my desire for fitness.

I hope we all have been blessed with one if not more “aha” moments in life. When the pieces finally fall into place. Life can have a low-key way of presenting opportunity, in the hopes you are listening, taking chances, and willing to deviate from the beaten path. My oatmeal routine was face-to-face with the spicy Humble Haven 2nd Annual March Bingo (“How could it already be March again?!”). I thought about the previous year’s grind to the destination: the end of the month, the checking of boxes. But this year, I was determined to take the various class offerings to connect to more layers of myself and my community.

“Suze's manifestation guidance was immeasurably helpful. Through it, I found changing my job to be the immediate priority. I focused on the outcomes I wanted in a new role and the emotions those would bring. I used the image of a purple iris to meditate on as the icon for those goals, and brought that practice home with me.

I meditated on that image in the slow parts of my days and during savasana at the studio once I got back. I'm proud to say I'm writing this note from a job that matched those desires." - Amy C.