Summer is a season of expansion - longer days, warmer nights, and a chance to open ourselves to the full and abundant energy. Summer invites us to embrace the vibrant qualities of the season: growth, activity, and celebration. Yet with all this outward energy, it’s easy to get caught in the busyness of “doing” and forget the value of “being.”

Yoga teaches us that balance is essential. Just as nature cycles through periods of growth and rest, we too must honor both our outward expressions and inward reflections. Summer may be a time for beach trips, family gatherings, and socializing, but it’s also a time to pause and reconnect.

The practice of yoga is so much more than stepping onto a mat; it’s a way of being. We can practice yoga while walking barefoot in the grass, tending a garden, sharing a conversation with a friend, or savoring a meal mindfully. Every breath and moment of presence is an opportunity to infuse our lives with yoga. And when the days feel too busy or overwhelming, invite yourself to slow down. Take a few mindful breaths. Move your body in a way that feels loving and restorative. These small acts of self-care are essential to maintaining our own vibrance and wellbeing.

Yoga invites us to embrace all that we are - the doer and the be-er, the active and the still. Let this season remind you to find moments of quiet amidst the hustle. Infuse your interactions with kindness. Create space for stillness between activities.

As the days become longer and the sun lingers well into the evenings, we will be pausing our Wednesday evening Yin Yoga classes. Yin Yoga will return the first week of September, ready to support you as we slow down and transition into the cooler months.

In the meantime, we’re excited to announce our next Osteoporosis and Yoga Workshop on Saturday, August 23rd. Whether you’re living with osteoporosis or want to learn how to protect an aging spine, this experiential workshop will offer valuable insights for both students and teachers alike. We’ll explore safe and empowering ways to practice and teach yoga for osteoporosis, focusing on strength, resilience, and mindful movement. In-person space is limited, sign up now to reserve your spot! Or join us online via Zoom.

Until then, may your summer be filled with light, laughter, and a sense of possibility.

Amanda Dzengeleski is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist in training. She has additional training in trauma-sensitive yoga, therapeutic yoga, and functional movement. Amanda deeply believes that all beings possess an innate wisdom that blooms despite difficulty, trauma, illness or loss. She is dedicated to hosting a safe and inclusive space and inviting an embodied experience for students to honor their uniqueness and learn to listen to the wisdom of their bodies.

Sam Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.