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I'm curious... what have your commitments looked like, lately? This is an interesting time to think about how we choose to spend our time these days. This last month has required a lot of flexibility, agility and decision making in the Smith household. We don't make many in-person commitments these days, outside of casual hangouts outside - maybe you can relate? This past week we found out that a leader, from the outdoor camp Camden's been going to, tested positive for COVID-19. The camp did the right thing and I appreciate their transparency, as I know we all do right now. Queue the email chains and phone calls.I quickly emailed and called our school, the camp, soccer coaches, doctor offices... all conversations ending in, "I think we're safe, we don't have any symptoms in our family, What do you recommend we do from here?" - This is a first. These are all firsts. Decisions on top of decisions on top of decisions. So... we're back to quarantining for 14-days. No school, no soccer, no camp, no contact. These decisions aren't taken lightly, as my 3 and 5 year olds don't yet have the cognitive ability to understand the rationality behind it all. There are a lot of tears and emotional highs and lows. Hell, many of us adults don't have the ability to process these constant changes, right? But what DO we have?A LOT. And that's what I keep trying to turn back to again and again, because I am human and as a colleague recently reminded me - "the motto of 2020 is one day at a time". Our health, our family, a roof over our head and so much more is what we have. It sucks. Yes. 2020 has thrown so many curve balls. And it's also forced us all to be a little more intentional with our time. We get to choose our commitments more consciously, because I think there is a greater awareness to the preciousness of our life and our time. This is one thing I hope that stays. Today, September 16, 2020 - it's yours for the taking - it's yours for the living. How are you going to take lead and spend your time? It's precious, as are you. xo Bailey MAMAS, THESE ARE FOR YOU Need a little reassurance or space to connect to yourself in the morning? I just recently recorded a new Insight Timer meditation - Reassurance for Mamas. Please take care of yourself today, tomorrow and always. 🖤 MEDITATIONS VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
It has been so fun seeing some of you and moving with you on Sundays for the Sunday Set! If you haven't yet signed up for this free offering, I'd love to see you there! We move, breathe, set intention and dance a little. Details are sent out every Sunday morning! JOIN THE SUNDAY SET
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Alright body... I'm listening. Mind... I'm listening. Heart... I've got you, I'm listening. I just spent the last month away from social media and I feel an incredible sense of presence, creativity, connection and energy. I know some of you came along the exploration with me! I'd love to hear from you on your experience:
In truth though, I'm excited to be back! I love the connection that happens through social media and I'm grateful for this time to recognize that. xo Bailey MIND: I've been listening to Buffy Barfoot's podcast and cannot recommend it enough! I could listen to her sweet, soulful, southern storytelling all day long. BODY: I am a huge advocate for clean, simple recipes and since we're all re-learning the importance of clean hands, this foaming soap recipe feels relevant. I add doTERRA On Guard essential oil to mine - so simple, easy and effective. Wash your hands. HEART: Heart clearing and moving this week to We'll Be Alright, by Grace Potter. Give it a listen, move your body and feel the words. We'll be alright. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who took the time to complete last month's Pandemic Heart Check - I hear you, I see you and I'm with you.
I'm also listening to your requests and have just launched a new Patreon page, so I can more easily make the practice of yoga and meditation - the H E A R T work - accessible and affordable to this community. This month's offering includes a Balancing Brain Meditation and Deep Stretch/Yin Practice. Stay tuned for more details, as they evolve. When that thing just keeps showing up. You know the feeling when you try to ignore the signs and that thing just keeps showing up - over and over again? Or you think you're meant to do one thing, but it's very evident that's not what's meant to be? Buddhist teacher, Pema Chödrön, reminds us that "nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know". The Universe knows, right? This has been me + a break from social media. I find every reason in the book to not take a break and I convince myself that the time isn't right. Some of the things that run through my head are:
I'm not here to preach to you about social media, I actually love a lot about social media. But maybe you can relate to some of these feelings? Or maybe this could be an opportunity to reflect on your relationship to social media. I found this article about social media and mental health to be incredibly validating. It also was the thing that helped solidify my decision to take a break, after this has come up again and again over the last few months. Social-Free July - I'm coming for you! I'm stepping away for at least the month and plan to use my time focusing on the things that truly fill my cup - creating, dreaming, hiking, self care, intentional conversations and reading are a few things that come to mind. What are some of your favorite ways to connect, outside of social media? xo Bailey  I've been in creation-mode as of late and also know that there is a lot of change going on right now, for everyone! During these times, there is so much that has our attention. I'd love to learn a little more about how you're spending your time, what interests you right now and how I can take this into account for future content development.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to complete this quick 3-5 min survey! I truly appreciate your time and opinion. We need to do better. We need to try harder. We need to speak up. As many of you know, Kindness Yoga just announced their plan to close. This comes on the heals of BIPOC and POC teachers speaking up about their mis-treatment from Kindness' management and leadership. This is heartbreaking. In no way is this treatment an example of practicing what we preach - as yoga teachers, as a yoga community and as a studio called kindness. Let this message not be about me, but let it be an extension of the many voices who courageously spoke up this week, in regard to their mis-treatment. It's not right. My heart hurts to hear about your experiences - I trust you and I hear you. As a straight, white female from the suburbs of Central Ohio, I know I have a lot of privilege. I don't know what it's like to be treated differently, based on skin color. I take complete ownership in not standing up and speaking out about the things that felt uncomfortable to address with Kindness leadership, during my 8 years teaching in the community. I take ownership in staying with the business, when things weren't moving in the right direction. I stayed for the community and the students. I stayed because I didn't want to believe what was happening behind the curtain. So I showed up, gave my all to my students and tried to stay away from everything else. Now I know that my silence, though, gave consent. For that, I am so sorry. As a yoga teacher, my commitment has been in holding space for others - to heal, to witness their truth, to connect to themselves. I commit to holding a safe space, always. I know this practice heals. I know this practice is life-long. This practice is about sitting with the uncomfortable. To find patience and breath in the moments in front of us. To let it all move through us - mind, body and heart. But never should this practice discriminate or cause harm onto others. So where did this go wrong? My opinion: the bones of Kindness Yoga started breaking five years ago, when the business was left in the hands of a theatre major and title-boasting marketer. Is this exposure the straw that broke the camel's back? Yes. And rightfully so. It was bound to happen. As a collective community, we need to do better. We need to recognize the systemic oppression that lies within this culture and consciously make a change. The hope? From death, comes rebirth.  Are you familiar with the Line of Choice? It's a concept in relation to our beliefs and behaviors. If you're below the line, you're likely in a place of excuse, doing nothing, denying or feeling stuck. When above the line, you're likely in a place of hope, accountability, finding better ways and taking action.
The line of choice. You choose whether you exist in this situation below the line or above the line. I'm going to hop above the line... want to join me? xo Bailey There's a book that we read to both our boys called Duck and Goose, Goose Needs a Hug. Essentially, Goose looks sad and his friends ask him what he needs - to stand on his head, to sing a song, to play hide and seek, etc. But what Goose really needs is just a H U G. You don't get to this until the end of the book when Goose gets so frustrated that no one knows what he needs and he yells "A HUG!", his friends pause and then they say "well, why didn't you just say so?" and give him a big group hug. Case in point? Take a moment and ask yourself... what do I need right now? The reality is we are all going through all the feelings right now: from grief to gratitude. It's up to us to pay attention to our needs. It's also up to us to check in with ourselves and then to communicate what we need to the people around us - partners, co-workers, family members, friends. Please check in on someone today (and maybe every day this week). You never know what they are going through or what they need. You may just brighten their day - what's the BEST thing that could happen? The reality is also that I miss you! I miss hugs, I miss human connection, I miss physical community and I miss each of you. Please take care of yourself, please let me know how I can support you and please communicate with the people around you. We're all in this together. We're all trying our best. We WILL persevere. xo Bailey WHAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE: We have LANDED in Ohio! It has been 14 weeks since we moved across the country, 12 weeks since I started a new job and my boys started their new school, 11 weeks since we moved into our new home, 10 weeks since we began quarantine and the rest is history... Since familiarizing myself with this new normal and *some* sense of routine, as I know we all are, there are a few things that I’ve been leaning on to keep me moving, inspired and connected: THE CLASS (the most fun movement practice) GLO (many of my favorite yoga teachers) MEDITATION (w Gabby Bernstein) MORNING AND/OR EVENING WALKS But in all seriousness, thank you for all the well wishes, the messages, the letters - I appreciate each of you. I am still working with yoga students privately and if you feel pulled to continuing your practice 1:1, please let me know! Otherwise, stay tuned for future offerings! WHAT I'M READING: I've been alternating between Normal People and Creative Visualization lately. I could share with you all of the inspirational things I've been learning in Creative Visualization, but instead I really just recommend reading Normal People. It's an easy, quick read - and when you're done, it's on Hulu - WIN! NORMAL PEOPLE - Sally Rooney What books do you recommend, right now? Please share!  G and I were babies when we met you: 20-something fiancés, ready to take on this new adventure. You have been a place we loved to call home. You healed the past and gave freedom through forgiveness. You welcomed us home, with open arms, when our time with you wasn’t yet complete. You were present in some of the most challenging times, as I stepped into the world as a wife and a mother. You helped me find my voice in teaching and my stance for being in service. You have inspired me and intimidated me all at the same time. You called me to the mountains when it had been too long and I needed the force of nature to slow down. You encouraged me to do the things that were uncomfortable, so I could have the space to step into growth. You connected me to some incredible, honest, beautiful and true friends. You helped me find appreciation for the simple things. You created a home for our family. You reminded me of my connection (and all of our connection) to nature. You lit the love within my veins for hiking and exploration. You opened my eyes to a more healthy body, mind and spirit. You taught me what it meant to be humble, grateful and human. You held me up and gave me permission to discover a deeper version of Self. These past eight years, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. I love you Colorado. You are beautiful. Your impact is as grand as your Rockies. Goodbye for now. xo - Bailey  My family and I are in the thick of transitions right now, as we make our move to Columbus, OH, to be closer to family and an opportunity that came up. The big moving day is quickly approaching and while I feel fueled by adrenaline and excitement, I'm also someone who's easily influenced by overwhelm. And it's the moments like these, when I lean on my tools to ground down more than ever. The things that help us connect or bring us home are unique to each of us, but they are sacred and always worth protecting. Change is inevitable. And it shows up in large and small ways every day. Here's a few things that I've been leaning into through these big changes
While these tools may not be perfect to your needs, my hope is that they cause you to pause and listen to the things that do bring you connection and peace. And that you find the space to lean into those things and to protect your ground in the moments of big change, transition or overwhelm. xo Bailey  WHAT I'M REPEATING:
May we be happy May we be free May we ride the waves of life with grace and ease May we know peace This comes from one of my favorite kids books, Dear Boy. Personally, I find this reminder suiting for the new year. We're into a new decade now, you guys! Happy New Year! And oh my... it can feel BIG. Now I know I'm naturally sensitive to overwhelm, but the new year can bring up so much pressure to make a change, to have big plans and to determine all of our goals that we wish to accomplish in the coming year. Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE advocate of goal setting. I know and have experienced the value of it, but only when the timing is right. When you are truly open to it. I don't know about you, but I typically need a good month to process the new year. I need time to recover from the holiday season, get my feet back on the ground and to really be curious about what arises. Sometimes it's comes in a visualization, sometimes a feeling, sometimes a mantra and sometimes a word that continues to cross my mind. What's the point of all this? My reminder to you that it's OK not to know what's ahead. It's OK to not have all the answers. It's OK to sit in the uncomfortable space between movement and reflection. I have learned, and continue to be reminded that the answers will come, time will tell and the Universe has your back. So what if we pushed the external pressures aside and gave ourselves [space] to be still and listen? To pursue our dreams and to always trust magic, as Paris Rosenthal states? xo Bailey
WHAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE: I know it can be daunting to transition away from your favorite makeup brands, but I also know how important it is to make {safer} choices in what you put on your skin. If you have a clean brand you love - congrats! If you're still searching, I'd love to share the 'Flawless in Five' collection (above) from BeautyCounter. It's a six-piece customizable makeup set... AND it comes with a FREE retractable foundation brush until January 27! As always, I offer 10% back (via venmo or paypal) for first-time BeautyCounter customers and all members get free shipping + 10% back in product credit! WHAT I'M READING: Lately, I've been attempting to simultaneously read one book for fun and another for growth. This started when I was trying to read Daring Greatly last year before bed and I realized personal growth does not need to happen as my head hits the pillow. While it takes me longer to finish books, I'm loving this new rhythm and this is a favorite, as of late: REVOLUTION OF THE SOUL - Seane Corn If you're not familiar with Seane Corn, please get to know her. Not only is she a highly respected yoga teacher, but an activist who provides some raw honesty. It's incredibly interesting IMO.  IT'S BEEN A MINUTE! Well... this is the first time, in over three years, that I let three months pass between monthly newsletters! We'll call this the quarterly update - haha. A little about what I've been up to - TRUTH. I am so grateful for where this life has taken me and it also became apparent that I needed to be honest with myself. This summer demanded extra attention on myself, my sweet little boys, my {incredibly} supportive husband and my family, so I listened and did just that. I have worked to consistently reconnect to my own inner truth and from there, to determine what's next. It hasn't always been super clear, in fact it's been quite unsettling and frustrating at times, but it's been my personal commitment to myself. Where do I need to go next? While I can't predict the future, it's become apparent that it's time to reset, to shed some weight and to connect to the things that do feel true. The weight I speak of is the weight of the things that don't feel connected to my truth. To release the things that are no longer in service of my needs and to let go of the things I'm holding *so tightly* onto. Just as trees naturally shed the weight of their leaves each year, this season is that of letting go. F A L L And may I note, this practice of letting go is a necessary step towards growth. I truly believe that we, as humans, all strive to be better versions of ourselves and that we each deeply desire to be our best. With that, we need to let go of things that keep us comfortable and stagnant to do just that. Step by step - day by day ;) It's a beautiful thing! There's a great quote from Oprah (because you know I just adore her) that I'll leave you with and ask you to consider... Don’t hold anything too tightly Just wish for it Want it Let it come from the intention of real truth for you And then let it go - Oprah What do you have the space and willingness to leave behind? xo Bailey
BEAUTYCOUNTER FALL IS HERE!
My skin doesn't love the transition to Fall (hello dull, dry patches), does yours? There are some great {safer} options and brand new sets, now available through BeautyCounter! And who could ever go wrong with a little horoscope match? I love this one! As always, I offer 10% back (via venmo or paypal) for first-time BeautyCounter customers and all members get free shipping + 10% back in product credit! The hustle and bustle of life can catch up to us, over time or in a moment’s notice, and the options on how we seek relief can be endless. For some, a trip to the beach with a cocktail is just what’s needed, and for others, maybe it’s a yoga and wellness retreat that feels utterly relaxing and rejuvenating. If yoga and wellness is your thing, then Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health may need to be queued up as your next destination. Kripalu is an education and retreat space at its core and the largest of its kind in the United States. It’s nestled deep in the Berkshires in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is filled with mindfulness, daily yoga and meditation offerings with notable Kripalu School of Yoga teachers, hiking trails and delicious food.  |
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