August 28, 2022
Greetings!
I am going to tell you something personal: I suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and, at times, overwhelming grief. I have been broken apart and put back together many times and I know that many of you have, too. And I can tell you without hesitation that three of the biggest things that have helped me to keep going are my yoga practice, teaching yoga, and, in particular, the practice of seva.
My physical practice helps me to calm and stabilize my nervous system, physical body, and energetic system. Teaching gives me a sense of human connection, playfulness, and creativity, and clears my mind. Seva means service, and that brings me a sense of concrete purpose. There is always a question of whether the mind is leading the body or is the body leading the mind. As with almost everything in life, I have learned that there is no either/or but BOTH. We cannot separate our physical bodies from our emotional, intellectual, and spiritual ones. In some ways, the experience of joy and pain are deeply connected. It is impossible to experience one without having experienced the other.
Practicing yoga and seva are a luxury. We must have the energy, time, and resources available in order to do them. But with that luxury comes a responsibly to pay it forward. The first time I went to Nicaragua with NicaLove, it literally saved my life. I was in such a state of brokenness and pain after losing my son. I really didn't think I would have anything to offer, but I did. In fact, the experience of being in a place with so much poverty and need gave me a sense of purpose that I couldn't find on my own. In some ways, you could look at this as a selfish act, or at least one that was not just about my giving but the return of a sense of reason to live and move forward. This was so unexpected and deeply needed. Well, I now understand that just like the BOTH above, we can both give and receive. You can be selfish and selfless at the same time. I am now the proud Vice President of NicaLove!
I am sharing this with you because I have been thinking about social media of all things and how people chose to present themselves in a particular light or state. We all know that it is artificial or at least superficial but that doesn't mean that it cannot get under our skin and make us feel less than. I know it may appear, when you see me teaching yoga that I am in a constant state of happiness, balance, and have got it all figured out. Well, I am here to tell you that that is not the case. I am truly content when I am teaching. It brings me a sense of peace and also a break from my own daily struggles. But none of us are perfect beings and none of us will ever stop learning, growing, and most importantly (at least this is my hope) becoming better humans. And none of us are in a constant state of anything! We evolve, we dream, we can't get out of bed, we play, we cry, we laugh, and we grieve. We all need to recognize and honor our own and others' imperfection, impermanence, and worth. Practice of any sort (be it yoga, compassion, patience, or love) does not make perfect, but maybe it makes us more whole.
If it is in your power to empower me to do my work in my upcoming return trip to Nicaragua to work with NicaLove, it would be deeply appreciated. Unfortunately, money really does make a difference, and in Nicaragua it goes a long way. If not, I hope that we can at least continue to support each other's humanness, which includes not just the good stuff but also the bad, the pain, the challenges, and the daily struggles to stay in the light.
Big love,
Mimi
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Labor Day Weekend and Nicaragua Trip Schedule Updates and Class Card Special!
Spend your Labor Day holiday weekend with O2 Yoga! Here is our modified schedule:
Friday, September 2nd:
- 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time Intermediate with Mimi
- 12 p.m. Basics with Elliott
- 5:30 p.m. Cancelled
Saturday, September 3rd (Regular schedule):
- 8 a.m. Basics with Mimi
- 9:30 a.m. Power with Mimi
Sunday, September 4th:
- 9 a.m. Basics with Mimi
- 5 p.m. Cancelled
Monday, September 5th:
- 6:30 a.m. Intermediate with Mimi
- 9:30 a.m. Basics with Mimi
- 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Cancelled
Monday, September 12 and 19th- 6:30am cancelled
Tuesday, September 6, 13, and 20th-9:30am cancelled
Labor Day Class Card Special
10 class card for $99- This class card can be used for live-stream or on-demand videos. This card will be available to purchase September 1-5!
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Seva-Service Trip to Nicaragua with NicaLove
Mimi is heading back to Nicaragua from September 6th-20th, which means you will see lots more of her there and lots more of our other teachers on the mat. There might be a slightly reduced schedule just for those two weeks(see schedule above).
What will your donation provide?
- $50 will spay/neuter 3 cats
- $100 will spay/neuter 5 dogs
- $250 will cover a wellness visit for a hard-working animal, such as a mule, horse, or ox including medicine, vaccines, food, and new shoes!
- $2,500 would cover the entire clinic (I might as well put it out there...)
Thank you for your support and generosity!
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Dive in with O2 Yoga This September
Astanga Series
Elliott with be teaching an Astanga Series!
Look for Saturday livestream classes with 45-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute Primary Series practices!
Elliott is our resident Astanga expert and all-around amazing senior teacher. O2 Yoga has its roots in Astanga and this series will give you insight and encouragement to keep building your personal practice. Curious? Email us with questions.
Back to Basics Video Bundle
This bundle of videos includes 15-minute, 30-minute, 45-minute and 60-minute Basics practices. This is a great way to get back on your mat or get introduced to O2 Yoga for the first time. Mimi breaks down the foundations and adds onto the same sequence each time with more info about alignment, breath, and many of the postures that you will see in O2 Yoga classes.
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O2 Yoga Retreat in New Orleans:
Coming Up in April 2023!
We will be hosting our first yoga retreat in New Orleans at the beginning of April 2023! We are so excited to get the band back together with folks from previous retreats and be able to spend time with some of you IN PERSON who have never been on a retreat with us. Are you missing human connection, hands-on adjustments, in-person classes, hanging out with fellow students after class, travel??/ Well, we have you covered!
This 7-day retreat will start on Saturday, April 1st and run through Saturday, April 8th. Hotel Provincial is a gorgeous old school hotel in the French Quarter with balconies overlooking a courtyard. Beautiful gardens and a pool finish the experience. We will practice twice daily, morning and evening, and gather together every morning after class for a gourmet vegan breakfast. Mimi and Elliott will be your teachers!!! Just imagine, being together to practice yoga, get hands on adjustments and personal IN-PERSON attention!!! Remember that? Or maybe not. Some of you have never been the same actual space with us except virtually. We would love to spend some time with you on one of the most interesting and beautiful cities on earth!
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We Are Here for You!
Please let us know if you have any feedback and questions by emailing us and connecting with us on social media (links at the bottom of this message.)
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ABOUT O2 YOGA...
O2 Yoga provides students a place to grow in their practice, to be challenged, to work towards goals, and to be part of a community. Our Astanga-inspired, athletic, vinyasa classes all build on a theme — every month, a specific focus inspires our teachers' unique sequences — which gives students the chance to learn more about a posture or major tenet of the practice. Every teacher at our studio has gone through Mimi’s O2 Yoga 200 hour Teacher Training, so the O2 style shines through in every class. Can't get enough O2? Visit o2yoga.com for more information on the studio, and always feel free to email us with questions at info@o2yoga.com.
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