Retreats, Prints and Products

Hello all

I hope this newsletter finds you well in some sunshine and flow. This month Dani is doing it a little differently- I, her kid Miranda, am here to contribute to her e-news while she is visiting me out west!

I assume I am not alone in feeling this seasonal shift moving from spring into summer, shaking off the last of the dormant remnants of winter, starting to feel my skin come alive and buzz in the warming heat of late spring. When I think of the time easing into the solstice, I think of farm shares and spontaneous gatherings around the grill and patio table, live music at waterfronts with bare feet dancing in grass, slapping ankles amidst big bug bites, and the yearning to catch fireflies like how I used to as a child on the Hudson River.

Even though it takes place in late March, Dani’s Mexico retreat feels like the beginning of my year. I come alive at the sea, each trip to the beach of Puerto Morelos feeling like a homecoming- a big embrace by the community, sunshine, and colors of the beautiful place and sacred space that is her retreat. This is very essential timing due to coming out of a long Utah winter (though I shouldn't complain compared to the northeast people with much less sunshine). I am reminded of everything I hold close- being surrounded by such an inspiring and strong group of people while existing in a space that is meant to challenge, support and uplift me. We tapped into our creativity and inner knowing through movement, dance, music, and art. A union of all sorts- that is living the yoga.

As I call in the things I want to welcome for summer, I reflect on this year’s Mexico retreat where I laid some deep groundwork in setting the tone of what I wanted to release and add in. We learned how to acknowledge our inner emotions and mental chatter and ways to let out what’s not serving us (and truly sometimes communal dance parties are just what the soul needs). We pondered the ancient wisdom of the Yoga Sutras focusing on the afflictions that cause human suffering (the Kleshas) and befriended a fictional orange octopus named Marcellus from Remarkably Bright Creatures, (shoutout to Shannon who killed it with the poolside book club suggestion).

We practiced in a beautiful shala with an array of props at Villa Shanti as well as on the beach with a simple towel at sunrise. We chilled in the afternoon and in the evening and followed the nightly beats of local music, dancing through the streets after dinner and finding a peaceful night’s sleep waiting for us back at the villa.

My Mom is very inviting, often embodying the eccentric yogi artist archetype. She has a very special way of making people feel comfortable, confident, and at ease in themselves. Her energy is contagious and radiates like the sun in all directions- from the meditation cushion to the yoga mat, from the kitchen to the canvas, and outward to others.The experiences she curates are always with an artistic eye and a gestural touch (sometimes a flailing Italian hand).

In March in Mexico, we dug deep and let go. Now, in the mid-June sun, I open my hands and welcome everything in. May this solstice be a celebration of whimsy, joy, community, and creativity.

Cheers,

Miranda

Thank you Miranda !

It’s Dani here just giving you some other highlights of new product available and upcoming outdoor summer classes, workshops and retreats.