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.”
Imagine practicing yoga surrounded by the delicate beauty of spring—wildflowers nodding gently in the breeze, the scent of fresh herbs and tea leaves in the air. This is the magic of the Tea House, where nature and mindfulness intertwine to create a space for deep connection. We invite you to embrace the season’s rising energy in our April yoga series.
Meditation is not a linear journey. It’s not about achieving a specific state or reaching a final destination. Instead, it’s a variable practice that shifts and evolves. This fluidity makes meditation an opportunity for exploration rather than a pursuit of perfection. It invites us to let go of binary perspectives such as good or bad, right or wrong, failure or success.
Do you feel like meditation just isn’t for you? You’re not alone. Meditation is often seen as a gateway to calm, clarity, and balance. But the truth is, sitting in silence can feel anything but peaceful. It’s important to understand that meditation isn’t about achieving peacefulness. It’s about learning to focus on a single thought, noticing distractions, and gently guiding your attention back.
As the calendar turns and the new year approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the tide of resolutions and the pressure to “start fresh.” We draft lists of goals and set rigid expectations, believing that January 1st marks the start of a perfect, linear path toward self-improvement. But what if we approached the new year differently? What if, instead of rigid resolutions, we embraced curiosity, intention, and a willingness to ease into this next chapter with grace?
Dogwood Studio is switching to a new and improved scheduling platform with a fresh new look!
Starting July 24th, you will purchase and sign up for classes, memberships (soon to be called subscriptions), privates, and events using the new system. The system, called Ribbon, will also host the new, easier to navigate Video Library.
There are many options this summer to keep up with your practice. Our schedule has been updated through September for online and in person classes. Challenge yourself to something new, whether it is taking a class at a different time or checking out one of our wonderful subs. We are here to support you.
Exercise is good for your health and well being. When you exercise, You increase your circulation and release endorphins so you feel better. It helps your immune system. Studies show that moderate activity has a positive effect on cholesterol because during exercise, our body metabolizes triglycerides which then promotes the movement of LDL and HDL into the liver.
The Stonewall riots started in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 and lasted 6 days. After years of abuse and being told by society that their way of life was wrong, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn had enough. They did not want to live a life of shame, so instead of letting the shame build up and turn into anger, they fought back. This brave act is an example of practicing ahimsa (a = no and himsa = harm).
Earlier this week the UN celebrated the 7th annual International Day of Yoga. You can find the event for 2021 and previous year’s events on UN Web TV. The celebration honors the universality of yoga. Yoga is practiced around the globe. Yoga can be done by males, females, transgender, kids, adults and the elderly. It can be practiced in bed, on a mat, in a chair or standing up. Yoga does not contain one specific way of practicing. The physical practice of yoga is highly adaptable to meet the unique needs of each person. Yoga can benefit your body, your mind and your spirit. It offers physical practice, a way to understand your mind and provides connection. The practices of Yoga can be used to support mainstream medicine.
In 2014, the United Nations recognized the universal appeal and health benefits of yoga by establishing June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Dogwood Studio is switching to a new and improved scheduling platform with afresh new look! Starting in July, you will purchase and sign up for classes, memberships, privates, and events using the new system. The system will also host the new, easier to navigate Video Library.
We end our practice at Dogwood Studio saying, “We Practice for Our Minds, an Open Mind. We Practice for Our Hearts, an Open Heart. We Practice for Each Other.” Listening and learning is the road to understanding, then acceptance, and these require us to slow down and be present in the moment. Having an open mind to learn of other’s experiences is all that is needed to start to help. Let’s listen together.
Sometimes we think we have to be resilient; that if we are firm and strong, we can power through the turbulent times. However, if we try to power through long term uncertainty, we can hit a wall. We can shift our focus from powering through stress to transforming stress. We want to have a better relationship with what is causing the stress and how we can respond to it. This personality style is called stress hardiness.
Fall In Person Mindful Movement & Yoga Classes
Venue/Location:
The historic and beautiful, The Parlour at Manns Chapel https://theparlourchapel.com/
Days & Times, Dates: Wednesdays. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following dates:
July 28th
August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
September 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
November 3rd, 10th, 17th
December 1st, 8th, 15th
