Missing My Wednesday Night Peeps

Dear Wednesday Night Yogis,

I miss you all terribly. And it's only been a week that I've been without your smiles, your warmth and your admirable commitment to our weekly yoga get-together.

In a way, I feel guilty for not being with you right now. Many of you have shared my own personal yoga journey; and several of you were in the first yoga class I ever taught - right there at DNC. You've all come so far in your personal practices, so much, in fact, that I rallied for our first ever "Yoga 2" class last year and gained the necessary approval to take you beyond the basics. I've watched with pride as each of you has grown in the practice; in different, yet very distinct ways.

This year, we experienced a huge surge in attendance on Wednesday nights. You brought your friends to class, you told other members about our class, you shared our "sangha" - our community - and helped us to grow to record numbers. Many yoga instructors, particularly in a city like Sacramento - never have the opportunity to teach groups as large - or as energetic and cohesive - as ours. It has truly been an honor to lead you all on this journey, this path, that we call yoga.

I'm reminded of a time when I walked into a yoga class in San Francisco with another instructor friend. It felt like walking into happy hour. People were laughing, embracing, talking loudly. My friend said, "This place is absolutely buzzing!" I've never forgotten that experience and I'm often reminded of it now, when I'm walking into Wednesday night class and one of you flags me down to tell an interesting story (Sarah!), while someone else grabs me in a hug (Nancy!) and yet another person hands me a plate of goodies (Brianna!).

You are all so very special to me and I promise to return to our space and our practice soon. In the meantime, keep coming, be kind to Judy (she might even bring you goodies!) and know that even though I'm not there on my mat, I'm there in spirit.

Stay with your breathe. Slow down when you can. Lift your heart. Stand a little taller. Bring your hands to your heart in Anjali Mudra. Fill up every space in your body and in your spirit with your inhale. Exhale. Let everything else go.

Warm blessings and hugs to you all. Namaste.
janeen.