Making space for nothing

I've been reading Strong Ground, the latest book by Brené Brown, and something I came across this week really struck me.

In a section about stress, overwhelm, and how our nervous systems are bombarded with more information than we can actually process, she explores the importance of calm and what she calls nothingness. Not as laziness or avoidance, but as an intentional part of recovering from overwhelm.

I LOVE this concept. In a world that puts so much value on productivity, the idea that doing nothing might actually be doing something incredibly important feels worth paying attention to.

And speaking of paying attention...she shares Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition of mindfulness, which emphasizes intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. She also shares the Latin origin of the word attention, attendere, meaning "to stretch toward."

How beautiful is that?!

Mindfulness, then, becomes a practice of stretching toward understanding. Toward ourselves, toward others, toward whatever is happening in this moment. And that requires something we don't always give ourselves enough of...a pause.

Naturally, this got me thinking about yoga. 😂

There's absolutely a place for challenging ourselves physically. Building strength, exploring difficult postures, getting sweaty and red-faced...yoga can offer all of that! But there's another part of the practice that's just as valuable, even if it doesn't look like we're doing much of anything.

The slowing down. The intentional breathing. The noticing. Learning to recognize when we're holding tension, rushing through something, or reacting before we've had a chance to understand what's happening. Even something as simple as the brief pauses we practice between breaths in pranayama (breathwork) can be an opportunity to practice making space before moving on to the next thing.

We're not necessarily trying to make ourselves calm all the time. We're practicing how to recognize what we need and respond with a little more intention.

And here's what I really want to say to those of you reading this: you're already doing this work.

Every time you make space in your schedule to come to class, settle into your breath, and practice paying attention, you're cultivating something that extends well beyond that hour together. It might show up in the way you respond to a difficult conversation, navigate a stressful afternoon, or recognize that it's time to rest. Just like physical strength, our capacity to pause, pay attention, and respond with intention grows with practice.

Now THAT'S a muscle worth flexing. 💪

And bonus side effect: those little shifts don't necessarily stop with us! The way we respond to the world affects the people around us, too. Calm, patience, curiosity, and kindness have a way of spreading.

So if you've ever wondered whether taking an hour out of your busy week to stretch, breathe, and lie on the floor is really a productive use of your time...Brené and I would say that you're doing some pretty important work. 🥰

Making space beyond the mat

All of this has me thinking about the many places these practices can make a difference, especially in our workplaces and everyday routines.

One of the things my yoga therapy studies keep reinforcing is just how valuable individualized attention can be. We’re all navigating different challenges, carrying different kinds of stress, and responding to the world in different ways. Having the opportunity to tailor a practice to an individual or small group can make that time together especially meaningful.

Even a little intentional movement, breathing, or stillness can help us shift out of stress and give our nervous systems a chance to settle. We don’t always need an entire hour on the mat to begin stretching toward a little more balance.

Whether through private sessions, small-group practices, or workplace wellness experiences, there are so many ways to make space for this work.

If someone comes to mind who might benefit, I’d love for you to share this newsletter (or the link below) with them!

Coming Up!

Thursday, Oct 29 | Average Jo's Singing Club | Noon–1 pm

Come sing with us at St. Nicholas Church in Bulverde! No experience required, no auditions, no pressure to sound like anything other than yourself. Just a friendly group of people (and one adorable puppy) making music together. And yes, to the #1 question I get asked: we have music playing! We're not practicing a cappella over here. LOL.

Sunday, November 1 | Daylight Saving Time Ends

Don't forget to turn your clocks BACK one hour this weekend! We get an extra hour on Sunday morning. After all this talk about the importance of doing nothing, I feel like the universe has handed us a pretty good opportunity. 😂

Wednesday, Nov 4 | Happy Hour Yoga | 5:30–6:30 pm

Mark your calendars for our next Happy Hour Yoga at Spring Creek Garden Center! Come practice with us among the plants, then stick around afterward for a drink, a bite, and a little conversation.

Friday, Nov 6 | Winnie's Book Club | Noon–2 pm

Our next Snack & Chat is coming up at Mammen Family Public Library! We're reading Whistler by Ann Patchett, and whether you've finished the book or not, you're always welcome to join the conversation. Stay tuned for our snack sign-up coming next week.

A little further ahead: We will not be having classes on Wednesday, November 11, so be sure to make a note on your calendar.

May your Halloween be full of treats, your tricks be harmless, and your extra hour on Sunday be gloriously unproductive. 🎃

With love,

Monica

(reply to me HERE)