It’s no surprise that we have days and weeks and months that are specifically designated to honoring things, like MLK day or Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To honor something, you have to name it and then give it some space in your life.
Sometimes we forget to give things space. I used to think days like Mother’s Day were just crafty inventions of the greeting card industry, but that’s too simplistic a view. Mother’s Day reminds us to show our mothers some love, and the sad — or maybe just practical — truth is that most of us need that reminder. Sure, we should be doing that every day, but we get all caught up in whatever it is that we get caught up in. If we want to say anything about the greeting card (and mega-billion-dollar gift) industry, we can say it capitalizes on our lack of day-to-day presence with the ones we love.
But it’s ok. We’re human, we need reminders. And if we’re smart, we’ll remind ourselves of lots of things, and often.
So here’s a big one: September is National Yoga Month. No, really.
A few years ago, the Department of Health and Human Services made this declaration to raise awareness around yoga and get people hip to the practice. This means we get to honor the practice of being present by being present to the practice for an entire month. (Say that 108 times fast.)
Even when we are passionate about something in our lives, whether it be a craft, an activity, or a contemplative practice, we can do it so much that we forget to honor it. Then, things lose luster, they lose oomph. If you’re already a regular practitioner — of yoga or anything, really — it’s a good time to consider what you do to honor your practice on a regular basis. Do you set a specific time aside for the thing you love each day or each week? Do you have a place in your home that you designate to it, an altar or bookshelf or a small strip of floor between the sofa and the wall heater?
Yoga, origami, calculus … honor the thing you love this month by naming it and giving it some extra space.
If you’re a celebrant of yoga month, there’s plenty to keep you on your toes. Check out the new listings section below.
Around the Bend
Upcoming yoga and conscious living events
**The yoga clothing store Athleta is offering a bunch of free classes this month, including two this weekend: Core Vinyasa with Debbie James and Chi Walk-Run Technique (OK, that’s not yoga, but it sounds cool). Check out the schedule here.
**Did you love Wanderlust in Tahoe? Did you never make it there? Either way, the Wanderlust folks are bringing their yoga love to the city this weekend. The one-day benefit (for Yoga Aid) event features a host of local talent including MC Yogi, Les Leventhal, Pete Guinosso, and Sianna Sherman.
Sat/23, 12:30-4:30, free (but donations to Yoga Aid requested), Little Marina Green, SF. sf.wanderlustfestival.com
**If you want to work hot springs into your celebration plan, head to Harbin for a sweet and affordable retreat with Pedro Franco and Chrisandra Fox. The theme of the weekend: connecting with your inner peace and calm. Oh, yes.
Fri-Sun, $480, Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown. Info here
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Have an event, story, or suggestion? Just want to say hi? Send me a note at OnTheOmFront@gmail.com
Karen Macklin is a yoga teacher and multi-genre writer in San Francisco. She’s been up-dogging her way down the yogic path for over a decade, and is a lifelong lover of the word. To learn more about her teaching schedule and writing life, visit her site at www.karenmacklin.com.