“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”
–Rumi
I suddenly realized yesterday morning as I was wrapping up a guided meditation class I had just taught, that it has been almost exactly a year since I taught my last live yoga, cycling, or meditation class. The first week of SIP was a bit of a scramble–do I wait for it to end, do I jump into training and teaching virtually, how long can I sustain this, what equipment do I need? The questions were endless. Eventually of course, as it happens with all new things, a new pattern, a new rhythm was established. I continued to work privately with clients, albeit in a new way. I was thrilled that they were still there, and willing to continue working with me in the new paradigm. What didn’t stay were the yoga, cycling, and meditation classes. What also fell away were my visits to the sport club for my own personal workouts. Yikes! Somewhere along the way I needed to find equilibrium again.
Over the past year, through (some BIG) changes, I’ve slowly begun to find the sweet spot. I think, in many ways, this process of managing balance in my life in all ways–mentally, emotionally, physically, creatively, spiritually–is actually fun. Yes, I said fun! I believe quite a few of us would agree that new things are fun (like traveling, new house, new job, new car, ……). The challenge is to find that sense of positivity, and fun, in those events or moments we would ordinarily not consider fun. It’s like a “Road Closed” sign. Instead, go this way, or that way, or turn around, or go up, go down. There’s always another way to get where you are going. Stop, pause, find center, and feel your way into the next step.
And so, circling back to the loss of group classes, I have finally stepped back into the teaching world. (It can take me quite a while to make decisions some times!) Last month, I started teaching my first series of yoga vinyasa classes on the Moxie.xyz platform. It was a soft launch, and to my complete JOY it has been FUN for me to teach yoga again. Next, I added a guided meditation class (20 minutes, short and sweet). This month, I am adding a Yin Yoga class to my schedule. (If there is interest, I am thinking of adding a strength/core conditioning class also. More to come on that.)
In short, I have missed connecting with my yoga peeps, and those who used to take my classes at the YMCA, and other locations. I am inviting you to drop in and connect with me, either on your yoga mat or on your meditation seat, for FREE! Click this link for a 1-Class Pass: https://moxie.xyz/claudiafountain/subscriptions?t=2712-19a9079f-3e9c-47e8-9829-246167418805
Use the link for access to my Wednesday Glow Flow class, or the Yin Yoga class when it begins (launching 3/16/21). My Morning Meditation is a “Flex Pay” class–it’s FREE (skip the payment portion at end of class), or pay if you feel moved to! If you have any questions about how the MOXIE platform works, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email: claudia@physiquebyfountain.com
In closing, I would like to leave you with this poem by John O’Donohue:
For Equilibrium, a Blessing
Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.
As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity be lightened by grace.
Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.
As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.
As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.
As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.
May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the depths the laughter of God.
Claudia Fountain Fitness + Yoga 