10/10 would recommend a screen detox

Last week I spent a few days floating the San Marcos River, and I kept catching myself just...staring.

Not at my phone, computer, or TV screen.

At the water. The trees and plants, in dozens of shades of green. The sunlight reflecting off the river. The textures of bark, limestone, leaves, and clouds. It felt like my eyes were remembering what they were designed to look at.

As it turns out, there is some pretty fascinating science behind that feeling. Researchers have found that spending time in nature doesn't just improve our mood, it actually helps restore our attention, improve working memory, and reduce the mental fatigue that builds up from constant focus and screen time. Some studies even suggest that nature gives our brains the space to make new connections, leading to greater creativity and clearer thinking.

Maybe that's why my best ideas rarely happen while I'm staring at my computer.

So this week, here's your gentle reminder to get outside the box...err, rectangle. Take your lunch outside. Sit under a tree(or maybe even hug one!). Walk around the block after dinner. Float a river if you can. Your brain might thank you for it.

Winnie's Book Club has chosen our August read!

Our next book is The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett.

One reviewer described it as "rollicking and wrenching...pure, hell-raising entertainment," and honestly, that sounds exactly like the kind of book club energy I'm here for.

And since we're headed to Depression-era Mississippi, I see fried chicken, biscuits, and plenty of Southern-inspired treats making their way onto our snack table.

Read along with us, then join the conversation on Thursday, August 20 from Noon to 2 pm. Whether you've finished every page or just want to come for the snacks and good company, we'd love to have you.

A fun week ahead...

In addition to weekly yoga classes at Trilogy on Mondays and Wednesdays from Noon to 1 pm, we have these exciting pop ups to enjoy this week:

Thursday, July 30​
🎵 Average Joe Singing Club
Noon to 1 pm
No experience required...just come sing with us!

Friday, July 31​
🥞 Brunch Yoga
10:30-11:30 am
Stay afterward if you'd like to grab brunch at The Desert Spoon!

Tuesday, August 4​
💦 Aqua Yoga
10:30-11:30 am
This will probably be our last water class this summer (unless y'all start a petition and I have no choice but to add one more on the schedule!).

Save the dates!

As we tip toe into next month, make sure these dates are in your calendar:

🍷 Happy Hour Yoga​
Wednesday, August 12
5:30 to 6:30 pm

🎶 Yoga + Sound Experience​
Saturday, August 15
1 to 3 pm

For more details or to sign up for any of the above classes, please check out the calendar.​

One more little thing...

This July 29th marks five years since my grandfather (Granbuddy) passed away.

As I was writing about spending time in nature this week, I remembered that so much of that love started with him. He taught me to camp, to cook outside, to stop, listen, and notice things...and yes, to hug a tree every now and then.

This photo is from a birthday book our family made for his 80th birthday. As his memory declined, he looked through it nearly every day and often scribbled little notes back to us in the margins. It's one of my favorite keepsakes.

It reminds me that sometimes the greatest things we pass on aren't things at all. They're ways of seeing the world.

As for hugging trees, well...Grandbuddy said it best:

"Try it, it works." 🌳

With love,

Monica

(reply to me HERE)