Winter Solstice Newsletter

Posted on by Elle Newman

“My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Feast for Crows

Window Decoration Gingerbread Man doing yoga. Created by one of the yoga students.

Hello Friends!

Gretchen Mulkey has continued to create beautiful windows and I so appreciate it! It could easily feel sad looking at the darkened studio where we used to all practice together, but who could feel sad looking at these Gingerbread Men? Not me!

I feel like I’m not great at writing inspirational emails about finding the light in the darkness because I am never sure how they will land or how appropriate the message is for the recipient. And in general, I tend to shy away from writing wise things that seem to imply me having life all figured out because it feels disingenuous. I have experienced the power of gratitude practices in my life, but I have also experienced the harm of trying to lie to myself and pretend everything was fine when it wasn’t.

I will share a moment that I think of this time of year. In December of 2002 my Mom was just settling into Hospice. And on a morning where the weight of the fact that she was dying very soon was hitting me, I opened a card from a woman I didn’t know who was a friend of my Grandfather. It said, “When it’s dark enough you can see the stars,” a quote by Emerson. On the inside was a short note from her telling me who she was and encouraging me to notice that I had more support than I realized. I remember that feeling of holding tight to the hope that this was true, because in that moment my life felt impossible. And just because I was looking for stars, or trusting that they were there did not make that time easy or enjoyable. But I kept that cheesy card in front of me to remind me to look, and I can honestly say that at every impossible-seeming turn, some kind of help came through. And of course Marion, my Grandfather’s friend, was one of those unexpected lights. Through her stories I got to know a whole other side of Grandpa than the one I knew during his life.

I sincerely hope you are able to see the stars around you now. Well, I hope your life doesn’t seem as dark as mine did that year, but undoubtedly there are things that are hard for you right now. Maybe the solstice tomorrow can remind us all to look for those lights most easily seen in the dark.

I’m sure you know by now that Walz lightened up restrictions a bit in Minnesota. We’re still not holding in person classes at Infinity until at least Jan. 4th. As much as I miss you all, keeping our distance for now feels like the right thing to do to keep everyone safe. I will let you know more when Heather tells me more about when Infinity will open back up and what precautions they will take.

For now, Zoom classes continue. I’m not holding class on Friday Dec. 25th, but will on Jan. 1st, so if you’re looking for a way to ring in 2021, I hope you’ll join us.

Much Love,

Elle

Schedule for Week of Dec. 21st

Contact me with any questions!

Monday Happy Solstice!!!

8:15 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

Wednesday

7:45am Yoga with Elle Zoom Class

  • Register Here
  • Donate here.
    • If you’re wondering what to contribute, consider paying the same amount you’d pay if this class were at your usual studio. As always, these classes are offered on a pay what you can, if you can basis.

6pm All Levels – Root River Zoom

Thursday

7:15am All Levels – Root River Zoom

Friday

Happy Holidays

Yoga Videos and Meditation

As always, these are shared with you under the category “pay what you can, if you can.” Here’s the link to PayPal your support: https://www.paypal.me/ElleNewman11

 

Root River Yoga on Zoom

Consider joining me and a great group of students for a Root River class and support an amazing studio that serves rural SE MN. Register for classes and learn more about Root River Yoga here.

Wednesday

6:00-7:00pm All Levels

Thursday

7:15-8:15am All Levels
*You’re invited to stay online after class for coffee/tea and a chat.

Ways to Keep Connected

Cat hugging dog
Yeti comforting Emma