As I write to you this month, I’m in Brooklyn, New York visiting my son, Jacob. There was a time in my life when I desperately wanted to live in New York City. But over the last few years, even though I love to visit, I am also eager to leave. I find the energy of the city way too stimulating to my nervous system. But this visit was different. Jacob is in a new, larger apartment in Bushwick, so he had room for his mama to stay overnight. I took my time getting here. The drive on I-80 from Pittsburgh through the Poconos was stunning. The leaves are nearly at their peak. That means the colors are vivid orange with splashes of red and a dash of sun yellow on a background of evergreens and blue sky.
Along the way to fill my driving time, I finally was able to listen to my entire book on audio. Cat Gould, the professional narrator, did a wonderful job for Tantor Media. Full disclosure, I wanted to read it myself. I am NOT a professional narrator; however, many folks over the years have commented on the sound of my voice as I teach. But now that I have heard Cat Gould reading my work, I am a fan. She is so smooth. It truly is professional. So, I take my hat off and give a deep bow to Cat for representing my work so carefully and graciously. Her reading of the 47 scripts is particularly captivating. Clearly, she is familiar with such practices. I hope you will consider accessing my audio book. It is available on the following audio platforms: Audible / Amazon, Kobo, Audiobooks.com, Libro.FM. My final thought on the audio is that listening to the entire book beginning to end brought it alive to me again. It helped me recapture some of the thoughts and feelings of why I wrote Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Teachers in the first place. I think it will add to your experience of the book too. To listen to a sample, click here.
When I arrived in Brooklyn, Jacob and his flat mate, Jahnik were waiting for me at their next-door outdoor coffee shop, Til Death.
On this trip, I was more intentional in planning for naps, walks, and daily yoga than in the past. The weather was gorgeous. When I had time to myself, I walked the neighborhood, just wandering and discovering. Not having to rush around was helpful. I made some new friends and connected with old friends.
By the time you read this, I will have finished another three credits of my doctoral program, about the halfway point of my program. For this course, I currently am putting the final touches on a proposal for a book/workbook on how to die well. It is very helpful to receive feedback from a supportive group of writers who also are capable of giving critical feedback gently.
Here's an excerpt from my proposal:
How to Die Well—A Workbook for the Living, is the working title of a 50,000 word non-fiction book that helps readers face their own mortality thoughtfully and without fear. A combination workbook and informational space, How to Die Well guides adults in the second half of their life to reflect on the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of death in a way that will be helpful to their loved ones after they have died. One surprising result of this process is that readers may also find themselves living more purposefully and joyfully in the present. I bring my own experience recovering from a serious car accident to this work which draws together insights from clinical social work, yoga instruction (see my book, Trauma-Informed Yoga,) and theological training. The book is designed for personal use or for use with someone who wishes to face their own mortality. If you care about your legacy - and I don’t simply mean an inheritance of a particular dollar amount - then starting to plan now is a very good idea.
Here’s a link to my writing instructor, one of Jimmy Cajoleas’s books. My favorite of his books that I have read so far is for middle graders. It’s called Gussy. His writing is sharp, and his storytelling is captivating.
I also got to see an old friend and colleague, Amy Weintraub. It was her book, “Yoga for Depression” that got me started connecting the dots of my yoga practice and professional background as a mental health practitioner. If you haven’t seen Amy’s card deck, Yoga to Manage Your Mood, by Sounds True, do check it out here. It is a beauty! If you like to take in-person courses, do save-the-date for July 2-7, 2023, at Kripalu Yoga and Retreat Center, Lennox, MA.
That’s us waving a big hello to you. We are on the Panhandle Trail in Carnegie, PA.
I know some folks put pictures of cute kittens in their newsletters for clickbait. But me, I am adding a mighty cute baby pic. This is my new grand-niece, Enola Dean, and her mommy, Caitlin. I got to snuggle with them for a few days in Mississippi. We are at Lake Mohawk enjoying the sunset.
These days I am in bed by 10pm – sometimes 9.30pm. It feels good to set myself up for a good night’s sleep. But I have deviated from this schedule here in NYC, although only a little. Bushwick is a hive of activity after 9pm. What’s a girl to do? Honestly, I have not been in a night club (or had a desire to go to one) for thirty plus years. Calling our activity “bar-hopping” might be a generous term (we only went to two bars), but this 58-year-old had two young handsome 20-somethings as her dates, and we had a blast. Actually, I felt honored that they (Jacob and Jahnik) seemed happy to have a middle-aged woman along for the ride. We started at their local pool bar, Lone Wolf, and promptly signed each of us up to play the winner of the previous game. My pool skills are hit-and-miss (or is that supposed to be hit-or-miss). They were mostly miss, but that didn’t stop me from playing the reigning queen of the pool bar, Tasha. She was quick and very good. I at least held-my-own so as to not totally embarrass my young dates. While we waited our turn, they taught me a card game, Tonk. I have played variations of it over the years, but each time is like the first for me – a bit like what I describe (along with many others) as “beginner’s mind” (BTW, this is something we want to cultivate each time we decide to practice yoga). The next place we went was a small jazz club, Ornithology Jazz Club. There was standing room only. About a hundred of us were packed around the quartet of jazz musicians. I haven’t been this close to this many people in two and a half years. It was electrifying. It was also a tiny bit anxiety-producing , but I decided to stay with the feeling of being with a small crowd of people riveted over music. I could feel the solidarity in the room, and it was wonderful.
I am adding some practices to help you feel a sense of solidarity in your body today.
I’d love to hear how this practices affects your nervous system.
Some of you have asked me how I do my work when I am on the road. Sometimes I find I am more productive because I am not distracted by the usual tasks/chores/errands at home. Life is usually simpler – less stuff to care for, fewer clothes, etc. Even if my schedule is a bit off (like the deviation for bar-hopping till 11pm), I try to continue with my usual practices and routines that help me stay centered and grounded, especially around waking up and going to sleep.
Moving my body is essential every day, no matter where I am.
Another fun thing I started in September – I joined a choir called Women of Song. I love it! I am trying to improve my music literacy. I don’t actually read music. I have always sung or played by ear. The choir director, Emily Tiberi, has placed me between two strong Soprano 2s. They are a great support to me and help me stay on key. If you happen to be in Pittsburgh November 16, we’ll be singing at 7.30pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Highland Park. I am finding a lot of joy from learning to sing with these women! Community singing is another great way to regulate your nervous system and elevate your mood.
How to Engage With Me
Group Class: Tuesdays 8-9 AM ET Zoom Gentle Yoga Class
Buy my book
Individual Sessions
Yoga Therapy
Embodied Spiritual Direction
I have limited time slots available due to my writing commitments, but I still have availability. I do my own scheduling via email or text at Joyogi5 at gmail.com or 412.287.4591, so call or email me to schedule an appointment.
For more details on the above sessions, click here.
If you are still reading, thank you. Here’s to another month of figuring out how to better care for ourselves one day at a time!
I’d like to close out this month’s newsletter with a recent poem I wrote. I have a weekly poetry writing practice that I continue to show up for. I am always surprised by what I write.
Please do try some free falling* this month and see what happens.
Be well,
Joanne
* a little bit of all of the above - moving, hiking, exploring, visiting loved ones, reconnecting to friends old and new, breathing, reading, listening to music you love, singing, eating good food, and yes, doing some yoga (though all of the above have yogic elements in them).
The Wild
There’s a tenderness to the lava
Yet its wild and destructive
Nature is like that
The one who creates,
Is she like that too?
Can we mere mortals ever presume to know
The vastness of God?
Perhaps in our most creative moments,
Our art can hint of majesty,
Uninhibited beauty, order, chaos
But the mystery remains
Our finite minds and limited bodies
Unable to touch the wind,
Or harness its power.
Except if you are a sailboat.
I love this! What a tender reflection of your trip and learning to carve out time for the self care your soul needs. And the poem—the last line—what a lighthearted and delightful vessel for such deep questioning! 😄 Thank you for sharing your journey!
Thank you for inspiring me to listen, love and respect my nervous system. ❤️