A loving ritual to practice whenever – whether you just moved in, came back from vacation, swept the floors, are expecting a visitor, or are simply desiring a change or clarity in your home experiences. Try this out. Could be especially fun to do on the night of a full moon (coming up August 29th) or as the seasons change.

One of the first things we did in our new house was a little blessing ceremony. Before the movers came, I set up a makeshift altar, gathered some sage, and wrangled my two boys (husband + son) and we went into each and every room.

With the sage lit and wafting, and Aaron commenting on how it stinks and I should put it out (I didn’t …) we traveled to each and every room. When we entered I said Bless this (Living)Room, May it be… And we said whatever words / experiences came to mind in that moment.

“Bless this kitchen, may it be filled with delicious meals, good conversations, and JOY.

Bless this closet, may it hold our jackets + items snugly.” And so on…

We went briskly with the sage + a prayer of what we’d like to experience in each room.

Such a sweet practice – infusing regular life with pockets of mindful rituals. I’ve already forgotten what we wished for in each room, but somehow I know we have already started to experience it, and for that I am so grateful.

Eight months ago I was in a tricky transition. We moved back to Brooklyn after living in Germany for six months, and I had trouble figuring out how to navigate motherhood, my own passions, and everything else that is required in city living.

Overwhelmed with the seemingly many directions I could go in, paired with the responsibility of being a full time mom – plus the desire to make something, I didn’t know how to direct my energy. Until I began these Pop Up Yoga Classes in motion, which became both a sacred pause and my anchor.

photo by thenuminous.net

Each class has been incredibly unique. We have gathered in a sweet little studio in Brooklyn, in an expansive space in Chelsea, NYC, and have even had one virtual celebration on the internet. They have ended with chocolate, red roses, prayer arrows, and conversation. They have been an incredible vessel of shared magic while celebrating the  moon.

This month will mark the final Pop Up in NYC, as we are about to embark on yet another big transition as we pack up and move to Lancaster, PA in a month or so – which is a whole other story, filled with many, many emotions that I will save for another time!

So join me for this next Pop Up that will be bursting with magic:  This Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:15 pm @ The Yoga Collective // 135 West 29th St. // $20 // RSVP here. 

This final class will be a celebration of desire, of possibility, and of the unknown. It will be a chance to rejuvenate and connect to your higher self – while stepping out of your mind and into your body. You will get to create the space to receive a lovely collection of blessings that are just waiting to tumble down upon you.

Hope to see you there – or somewhere – before we leave Brooklyn and call Lancaster home. 

Becoming still is why I move.

Savasana is why I vinyasa.

If there aren’t moments of pause tucked within, around, and beside the movement – it becomes tricky to soak in the gifts. I become too wrapped up to see the sparkle shining right in front of me.

Stillness allows our bodies to absorb blessings.

Stillness allows for reflection, which gives way to meaning.

Savasana is the point of all the shapes in yoga. They prep us to simply lie on our backs and receive: our breath, our worth, our light, our impact we have both on ourselves and in this world.

Pause and breathe, so you can receive.

Honored that this passage below is featured on the Prema Yoga website – highlighting the focus of the month: Stillness + Savasana.

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Magic happens within the moments of stillness and the surrender of savasana. Something deceivingly simple as doing nothing, is tremendously rewarding – but can be difficult to practice.

It’s when I’m the busiest that I need to pause the most, yet it is in those times where it feels highly impossible. I become tricked into believing that I have no time for any space in my day to be quiet – to connect to my breath, drop into a down dog, journal, or meditate.

So I fill whatever space I have with as much as I can cram in – even though it feels so good to empty. I remind myself over and over, there is tremendous power in stillness – in lying down with palms facing upward absorbing and receiving.

In asking. In doing less. In playing more.

And when I forget, which I almost always do – I close my eyes and return to the breath so I can let the mind settle – and get quiet until I feel good again.

This past Pop Up Full Moon Yoga class concluded with a  craft. Inspired by Ruby Warrington and this post she wrote on The Numinous – we finished our calming moon salutations and started making prayer arrows.

After savasana we transitioned into writing a note of gratitude on a piece of brown tissue paper, and then scribed a prayer, a wish, or an intention for ourselves, someone else, or this world. We chose a branch (that was sourced locally from Prospect Park :) ) and wrapped the note around the twig, secured it with washi tape and colorful thread, and then added feathers, flowers, and fresh rosemary as adornments. 

The best part was seeing how incredibly unique and gorgeous everyone made their own arrows. Now they exist as a way to shoot the prayer or wish out into this world. A lovely symbol + gift.

You can make your own prayer arrow anytime you’d like to send a conscious thought into the universe. Of course I’d LOVE to see what you create.