Showing up low, leaving high

I woke up yesterday feeling low, down, a bit depressed. I blamed it on the jet lag, the 1a, 2a, 3a wake-up calls by my little boys whispering “I’m hungry”—two words that will always get me out of bed.

Was there something else looming beneath the surface of this sadness? Perhaps. But I couldn’t pin point it. 

I was playing with the boys and drinking coffee with David when a song came on that always reminds me of my beloved Momo🪽🐶 (IYKYK), and I lost it. 

I started day dreaming about all my unhealthy coping mechanisms, mainly what I could eat to get that quick dopamine hit. But it was only 6a and that felt too early to give in today. Instead, I decided to take my 2 Aussie Shepherds for a stroll in the bright blue Autumn morning sky. 

It helped, a little… 

Once home, I got ready for yoga. I hd a demo scheduled by one of our Teacher Training grads. While I was thankful to have to go to yoga, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to it. I wasn’t looking forward to anything really. 

But off I went. 

And the most amazing thing happened. 

I walked into Big Dog and saw these 5 faces, smiling, coming toward me for hugs. Laughter and joy filled the room. The studio felt cozy and warm but not hot. It was dark, gently lit with candles and that nostalgic glow that sneaks through the blinds when It’s sunny outside. 

Gayathri, our guide that day, asked us to lay down our mats and our bodies and breathe. 

I was home. In my body. In this space. With these people who I know far beneath the surface of things. 

Everything shifted in almost in an instant and continued to shift as the yoga worked its magic as well. 

On my way home, I realized what it felt like to be a student here at YoYo rather than the leader of it. Showing up low, leaving high. How much a hug, a smile, visceral joy and the reminder to just be on your mat is a day-changer. How this practice only works when you show up for it.

We often refer to Fall as Yoga Season. I took the Summer off as many of you did. But the leaves and cooler temps are calling us back inside to be with ourselves, our breath and our people in slowness, in easefulness. 

Hope to be seeing you on the mat soon.

MAD LOVE ✌️🌦️🍁

K