Greetings Yogis,

This is the much overdue update letter and blog post.  How long has it been since I have written?  If I stop to consider that one more time, I might once again put off writing this post.  Self-recrimination does not help one get a project done.  Putting it at the top of the do-list, does.

Welcome to Summer.  My favorite season of the year.  I love the sunshine, I love the long days.  I love hiking and playing on the water.  I love that most folks are happier and more relaxed in the summer.  I love getting together with friends and family, going on adventures, and finding new and challenging activities.  This past weekend I even gave rock-climbing a go.  Great challenge, super physical and when you get to the top, gasp, the views are amazing!  I’m just going to make a plug here for the great team at KAF Adventures, who put together our Rock Climbing and yoga adventure.  If this sounds like fun to you, they have plenty more to choose from, so check them out here.

I don’t know about all of you, but I feel like there has been a whole lot of upheaval in people’s lives this year.  This Spring particularly.  Me included. So many changes and in all directions.  And I swear, if it weren’t for my yoga and meditation, I would have blown a gasket several times over.  

I’m definitely feeling the crunch of being part of the “Sandwich Generation.”  At one moment I am being pulled by the needs of my almost grown children and at the next I am helping to care for my father who at 94 is quite vigorous, but unfortunately  rather forgetful.  And then there is the passing of beloved elders.  Those wonderful folks who have nourished and inspired us for so many years.  Losing loved ones and watching our children move on is a double challenge.  

In these times of turmoil, it is helpful to look to what nourishes and inspires; what brings steadiness and calm to your life.  For me of course, it is my yoga, my students, as well as my friends and being in nature.  Time and again this Spring, when I have felt worn down by the challenges in my life, I found myself in the studio and all that other stuff just slipped away. Being part of our yoga community (sangha) supported me, nourished me and inspired me. The sutras of Patanjali, and the wisdom of the yogis; pranayama (breath work) and meditation, and of course asana, brought me back to myself. This tradition called yoga has been around for ever so long.  And I know why, and it is not just because it is a great physical exercise.  No, it is because it is healing, it is inspiring, it is nourishing, it is challenging, it is about meeting yourself as you truly and accepting all that is with equanimity and peace.  

At the end of this note, you will find a poem.  This poem was written by my students.  I asked all of them to give me three words that describe yoga for them.  I hope you love this as much as I do.

Have a wonderful summer.  Stay Hydrated.  Play hard.  Challenge yourself to do something new and maybe just a bit scary.  Eat Well.  Wear sunscreen.  Dance in the sunshine.  Dance in the moonlight.  Celebrate the wonder and abundance that is life.

Shalom & Namaste,
Diana Bonyhadi

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A few weeks ago, I asked my students to say in three words what yoga meant to them.  Here are their beautiful words.

Yoga Is
Yoga is balance, clarity and calm.
Peace, practice and patience.
Joy, happiness and foundation
Yoga is.
Yoga is calm, gentle and and strong.
Stretching, strength and sweat.
Yoga is long health and serenity.
Awareness, belonging and quiet.
Yoga is.
Yoga is joy, happiness, and freedom
Focus, presence and Love
Mind, body & spirit.
Yoga is.
Yoga is community, connection and support.
Inspiration, exhalation, meditation.
Yoga is nourishment, wisdom and heart.
Yoga is coming home
Yoga is life.