Let it RAIN

All that actual rain we got last week had me thinking about another kind of RAIN (you know, when I wasn't busy singing or brunching😂).

I was first introduced to the RAIN meditation through the work of Tara Brach, who popularized the practice from mindfulness teacher Michele McDonald. And if you know me, you know I love a good acronym, so naturally this one spoke to me.

RAIN provides a simple framework for meeting whatever is happening within us with a little more awareness, curiosity, and compassion:

R for Recognize: What's actually happening here? What am I feeling? What am I thinking? What am I noticing in my body? Before we can really be with our experience, we have to recognize that we're having it.

A for Allow: Let it be there, in all of its -ness. The tightness. The sadness. The frustration. The excitement. The uncertainty. Whatever it is, we don't have to immediately fix it, explain it, push it away, or turn it into something else. For this moment, can we simply let it be what it is?

I for Investigate: This is where we get curious. Where do I feel this? What does it feel like? What might be underneath it? What does it need? This isn't an interrogation or an attempt to figure ourselves out. It's an invitation to pay closer attention.

N for Nurture: Once we've noticed what's there, how can we meet it with a little kindness? Maybe that's reassurance, rest, a boundary, a breath, or simply acknowledging, yeah...this is hard.

And then...just be with it.

I think that's the part I love most. The point isn't necessarily to RAIN our way into making something go away.😏The practice is simply getting curious enough about our own experience to see what's actually happening.

And THAT feels like yoga to me.

We practice this on the mat all the time. A pose feels challenging, a thought comes up, we notice ourselves resisting, judging, comparing, trying harder, wanting out. What happens if instead we recognize what's happening, allow it to be there, get curious about it, and respond with a little care?

But of course, the practice doesn't end when we roll up the mat. Anytime we find ourselves questioning What is happening? How am I feeling? Why am I reacting this way? there's an opportunity for self-study...to turn toward ourselves and get curious about what might be ours to learn.

Yoga means union, connection. And sometimes that connection is simply being willing to stay in conversation with ourselves. Not necessarily changing what we find, but noticing it, allowing it, and getting curious enough to learn something about ourselves in the process...about our patterns, our reactions, what we need, and maybe even the part we play in what we're experiencing.

Meanwhile, Berty is conducting her own investigation of RAIN😂

Speaking of practicing curiosity...

We have THREE chances this Wednesday, October 7th:

10:30-11:30 am | Level Up at Trilogy

Someone asked me recently if I thought Level Up would be too difficult for them. My answer was pretty simple: if you're interested, you should try it! There's really only one way to find out whether it feels right for you.

Part of going deeper into a practice is accepting that some things are going to be challenging. We might wobble. We might need to modify something. We might encounter a pose we can't do...or one we don't particularly enjoy. And what a perfect opportunity to practice approaching that experience with curiosity instead of judgment.

Noon-1 pm | All Levels Yoga at Trilogy

Then we have our regularly scheduled Wednesday practice. Will Level Up leave me worn out or EXTRA energized? Come on over and find out. 😜

5:30-6:30 pm | Happy Hour Yoga at Spring Creek Garden Center

And we'll finish the day outside among the plants, with the option to stick around afterward for a drink or bite.

Three classes. One Wednesday. If I don't see you at ANY of them, I might start to worry about you. 😂

Snack & Chat is next week!

Winnie's Book Club meets Tuesday, October 13, from Noon to 2 pm at Mammen Family Public Library to chat about The Secret Book Society.

This book has given us no shortage of delectable inspiration, so I cannot WAIT to see what turns up on our snack table. 😂 If you'd like to bring something to share, add your name to our snack sign-up:

And of course, you are ALWAYS welcome at Snack & Chat whether or not you bring a snack...or even finish the book. Come hang out with us!

October, you're looking pretty good 👀

Looking at this month's calendar makes me happy. We've got Happy Hour Yoga this week, Book Club next week, Brunch Yoga the week after that, and Singing Club rounding out the month...with plenty of yoga sprinkled in between.

A little movement, a little conversation, a little singing, a little lot of snacking...a pretty good spread of Hand Craft Yoga goodness, if you ask me.😋

As always, questions, ideas, thoughts...send them my way. I look forward to hearing from you!

With love,

Monica

(reply to me HERE)