Hi

I was in the shower the other day, after a long walk* on a cold day. I cranked the heat up a bit, rewarming myself, and even though it wasn't that hot, the contrast was... vaguely uncomfortable, a little weird. That's how the past 9 months have felt. Everything is weird and awkward and even the good feels a little off.  

[*immediate side bar: I had my routines all in place pre-pandemic, and those were all thrown out the window in March. All the classes I took, save one, done; my gym, closed; alone time, what's that? So one weekend in the late spring/early summer, I grabbed some hydration and set off down the trail. And I walked. And walked. And walked. I covered about 4 miles that day, and it felt amazing to be on my own, to move; so I kept doing it. Now I walk 5-6 miles almost every Sunday. Its always worth it. But I still miss my gym. Hopefully opening soon, and then weights, here I come.] 

Hi. I posted something in October and said I would be right back. I wasn't. Sorry! 

Here it is, just moments from Christmas, and then (hallelujah) the New Year. I'm ready to see the back of 2020. I'm tired, my anxiety and depression are kicking my ass, I'm overwhelmed, and I'm ready for a 3 month nap. I'm throwing all this out there because I'm craving openness and honesty, but please don't mistake this for an invitation to talk about it. I have no interest. I know you're here for me, thank you.

(Sorry, these photos are in no order at all...)

Putting that aside, we're doing okay. Gwen, despite some struggles, is doing so well with virtual schooling. I'm so impressed with her responsibility and ownership; though we're all hoping she'll be able to head back to in-person in January. Travis is working as hard as always, despite a very scaled back event schedule. He and Gwen are excited about the ski season... COVID restrictions means way less people on the slopes, which is a little plus. Daisy's foot tumor grew back, but then responded really well to a combination of topical steroids and oral anti-histamines, and we are just hoping that she has many years of pain free walking and living ahead. I gave up one of my new studios (the one downtown), and picked up another class at my studio out here. My schedule is still a work in progress, but I'm making it work. 

At the beginning of November, my sister* and her wife arrived here in Denver... for good! They live in the building next to ours, and it has been so amazing having them here. They came over for Thanksgiving (masks always when not eating... they ate on the porch, we ate inside), and it was so so wonderful. I have missed having family close, and this is a blessing beyond measure right now. 

[*my sister is trans, and they are now public, so I'm excited to share; her name is Ffion, and she is the best sister I could ever have. Positive comments only, thanks!]

I'm not sure what else to share at the moment. We are plugging along, in this weird new world... not doing much, but so busy all at the same time. I feel like Gwen's assistant some days (m'am, you have two zoom meetings this morning, and zoom school this afternoon), and like I am always with her, but we are making it work. Today was the first day of the new vaccine here in the United States, and while its going to be a while before we can all get it, its a little, much needed ray of hope. Maybe this summer I'll actually be able to see my parents! 

We got a new couch!

I'll try to update more often, but in the meantime, sending love and solidarity.

 Real post soon, but in the meantime check out this email I sent yesterday from Rooted Breath. 

 

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another.” —Anatole France

Did you know that Savasana is also known as corpse pose? It is said that when we finish class, first in savasana, then rolling to our fetal pose for a moment afterwards before rising - we are completing a mini version of the circle of life. Maybe that's why I appreciated the above quote so much! When we enter our savasana, we are dying to all that we were before, and have the choice of what parts of ourselves will rise back up on the mat to go on with our days.

If only we had so much control over all of life! I believe the last email I sent was about a year ago, and I can't even being to quantify how much has changed since then (for many of us!). The only reason I was able to remain a yoga teacher from March of 2020 through now is because my husband brings home the majority of our income. Even so, my home studio, where I did my training and that was my first home outside of home since we moved to Colorado, has closed. The very first place I taught, where I still taught the same class, isn't offering classes until at least March of next year. All of my classes, gone; along with all but one of the classes I regularly took. The past 7 months have held much unwanted changed.

I won't lie, my mental health took a big hit and is something I'm still working on today. My family went through its own set of challenges too: with shifting back and forth between online and in person school, with restrictions on so much of life, and with the emotional challenges that come with navigating, and helping a 10 year old to navigate a global pandemic!



Not that it has all been bad. Autumn teaches us that there can be great beauty in letting go too. We have experienced such beauty in getting away for two short camping trips, taking an autumn foliage car ride in the mountains, zooming with family and friends, meeting a sloth(!) and "bubbling" with a close friend-family for Saturday night dinners, just to name a few. I've also been learning to find joy in my new classes! While I still wish for what was, I'm loving the new communities I'm starting to form and the new opportunities that are arising. Which brings me to:

Currently you can find me at Love Junkie Yoga and Fitness on Smoky Hill Rd in Centennial on Fridays at Noon for Restorative Yoga, and I'll be adding another class there starting December 2nd! An Intermediate/Advanced Hatha class at 9:30 a.m. I'm also currently teaching at Rooted Heart Yoga on Ogden St in Denver on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. (Hatha Yoga), but due to some continuing life changes, will be releasing that class as of Thursday Nov 19th. I would absolutely love to see you at any of those classes. If they don't work for you, feel free to contact me about private lessons. Fingers crossed I'll have news about more Aurora classes in 2021 too. [Keep an eye on the website for changes, or just to check in anytime you need a reminder of where you can find me: https://rootedbreath.com/find-me/]

Also hopefully coming in the spring: more outdoor classes!!



I've had the opportunity recently to teach a few outdoor classes, and realize just how much I love it! I'm hoping to organize some myself as the Colorado weather allows, but I'd also love to help you with a yoga class for your own event. Team building, birthday party, neighborhood gathering, or other events, yoga classes are a nice addition to so many things! Doing so outside both keeps it COVID safe (masks until on your socially distanced mats!), plus adds a really beautiful nature element. I've decided that savasana with a light breeze under blue skies is some of the most magical I've experienced.

If you're still with me this far, I invite you to reply to this email with any questions, inquiries, or just to let me know how you've been doing with everything this year. I'd love to hear from you!

With love and gratitude,
Megan

Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

And by that I mean Autumn, officially, and in feel... plus now, October! 💙

You all know how much I love this time of year, for its food, its weather, its colors, and its reminder to slow down. So much of the beauty in this time of year comes from letting go! And that's been my big challenge. Letting go of control, letting go of expectations, finding that balance between all I'm growing and the needs of my family.

Things are growing! Two new studios, two new doula clients, a handful of one-off classes! I'm keeping plenty busy, but feeling more aligned at home: still meal planning, and chipping away at organizing and cleaning around the house. I taught a class in a park recently, and it was so beautiful!

We ushered in the new season officially on Mabon itself, with our traditional feast, but have been celebrating in little ways ever since.

I made my hair a celebration...

We took part in a Girl Scout day at the local Botanic Garden.

We keep enjoying our weekly dinners with our "pod", and watching Gwen with Penny is just such a joy.

Gwen and I took a drive into the mountains recently, to catch the foliage, and it was an absolutely gorgeous.

We stopped for a picnic, which is one of Gwen's favorite things, and introduced Gwen to the beauty that is hot broth on a cold day.

Excursions like that one make me so grateful for this time of year and this place that we live. We are so damn lucky.

We have more fun planned already: another picnic, with some pumpkin picking, more dinners with our "pod", and fingers crossed, another quick camping trip.

What's your favorite thing to do this time of year?

Wordless Wednesday {Little Bits of Happy}

Before/After -
I've been working my way through our apartment, cleaning and organizing as I go.

Out with the old, in with the new

Pup-sitting