The Month of Everything

Is there a particular month that evokes strong emotions for you? For me it's May. The month I was born. The month my mother died. The month of Mother's Day.   

There were times when Mother's Day was painful because I longed to be a mom. I am infinitely grateful for the boys who made my dream come true, even if I have been tired for the last 11 years. 😊
 
Now the lump in my throat is because Mother’s Day coincides with my mom's death anniversary, May 12. The year she died, May 12 was the day before the holiday. This year, it's the day after. In recent years, it has meant a great deal to teach a yoga class marking the anniversary. This year, I'll spend May 12 with my dad at his chemotherapy infusion. He is quite a trooper, doing my mom proud.

Since my family's move to a new neighborhood two years ago, each of my two sons has made a close friend with a May 12 birthday. It is a remarkable synchronicity, and I think of my mom telling my sister and me on the last night of her life, "If you think I'm saying hello, you'll be right." Regardless, celebrating Paxton's friend Dylan and Maceo's friend Max is a reminder that grief and joy can and do co-exist. We are meant to feel everything, sometimes all at once. 

My mom left behind the incredible gift of her voice: audio recordings of her leading meditation and breathing practices at Yale Law School. Seven years after her departure from this earthly plane, I am honored to continue sharing her teaching. I have made more than 40 of her recordings public. (Access them with a subscription to my free newsletter.) Most of the remaining practices are slightly different versions of practices already available, and I am looking into improving the sound quality of the files. For these reasons, rather than continuing to post new recordings every month, for now I will bring your attention to one in the existing collection.

In this season of mixed emotions, I am especially loving a 15-minute practice called Sweet Remembrance, in which my mom asks us to notice the pulsation of life within and around us. "If you were to smell a spring flower, where would the smell originate?" she says. "Where would it disappear into the mystery of your own mind?" She reminds us that each exhale is an opportunity for letting go. We can remember and still move on.

Love,
Sara

You deserve a break.

- 5-4-3-2-1 is a technique for grounding + mindfulness you can do anywhere. (No one will know.)
- More calming strategies to infuse into busy days. 
- A quick core & balance challenge. 
- Two takes on a favorite low back release.
- If you've been at your computer or device for awhile, stand up and try this.