Here at Kripalu

I'm sitting in the cafe at Kripalu watching the sun rise over the Berkshire mountains in western Massachusetts. I am here for one month of yoga training, and surprisingly, it seems I have told very few people about this endeavor.

Last week, I flew home to Michigan for eight days. The days were filled with visits to friends and family--and notably, visits with friends I have not seen for years or do not usually have opportunity with whom to visit.

What I am finding in this moment is a struggle to write... and it has been a cloudy struggle for some time now. My hope is that this month at Kripalu will lift some of those clouds, help to free me, give me energy to write again--even just simple blog posts.

On Saturday, I went to the Alma College homecoming--an event I avoided like the plague when I was a student there. When I told some alumni I knew about my upcoming teacher training, I received what I can only describe as perplexed or mildly sympathetic looks. Nonetheless, when I went to the English department reception, I received nothing but support. It is no wonder I was always so drawn to that department--one that  seemingly focused on spirituality and wellness as much as literature.

I've been repeatedly asked, "So is that what you're going to do now?" I think of Shiva Rea, a brilliant and beautiful surfer/yogi, who said that she is done practicing or doing yoga--now she only wishes to live yoga. This resonates with me. I do hope I can bring yoga to others and that my unique experiences will inform my yoga and my yoga teaching. Is it what I'm going to do now? Well, it is one thing I will do. More importantly though is this word of "now." Right now, I am sitting in the Kripalu cafe watching the sun rise over the Berkshire mountains in western Massachusetts. It is a beautiful morning. My day will be filled with yoga and love. This program aims to infuse all aspects of life with compassion. So, I suppose, yes, that is what I am doing now. Sure, I miss Kwok and the petsies, but I will be a better partner and pet-mama for it.

Love, love, love!