Intentional Moms Yoga Circle

“I love this circle. I love it because in the beginning I'm asked what I need today- physically, emotionally, spiritually. Hardly anyone ever asks me what I need!” – Suzette N.

About 5 years ago, I gazed out on a circle of yogis, deep in the throes of savasana and a thought came through bold as anything: “Wow. If anyone needs this, it’s homeschool moms!” Shortly after that, the first Homeschool Moms Yoga Circle was formed. 

"Attending IMYC gives me space to consciously connect with the woman in me, and the women who surround me. It is a much needed deep breath of reflection and peace. IMYC also reminds me of the continuing strength of my body and my appreciation for it." -Diane R.

This brave group of mommas came together to connect with their breath, with each other, and to relax away some of the very real stress of walking an intentional mothering path. We feasted together afterwards and the bonds swelled there, too, relief heavily threaded through the conspicuous laughter and tears.

“I feel nourished and rejuvenated afterwards, like I've given myself a wonderful gift!” – Cardinal L.

A couple of years ago, and after having brought this idea to the group, we decided to expand the circle, re-christening it as the Intentional Moms Yoga Circle.  Because, we felt, what mom doesn’t need this?

“The circle offers a much more gentle way of being with women; a whole different way than I knew growing up and even into adulthood.  There is no judgment or competition. I feel genuinely cared for and accepted for exactly who I am.” – Jess I.

In these years, the circle has moved several times, having gathered in a (master!) bedroom-cum-studio, in a river-side studio, amongst stuffed, fez-topped lions, and now: at Authentic. Our home, finally. And with this homecoming, the circle has begun to be it’s own living thing: arms that we step gratefully and graciously into each month. Jess came to our circle (how could she have ever NOT been part of it?!) and she and I do our best to facilitate a deep relief for body, mind, heart, and soul.

“My body is challenged by the yoga work, and later always feels better. My spirit feels nurtured and grounded by the spiritual and deep play components. I also feel happy and renewed after eating and socializing with everyone after the yoga piece is finished. It's perfect that this is a circle, because the experience feels very whole to me. It meets me on all levels: physical, emotional, spiritual and social.” – Suzette N.

Ultimately, my hope is that the circle serves, that it somehow midwives continual healing for the moms and for all the children, families and communities to which they offer their love and gifts.  

Please join us! Find out more about May's circle here. 

Namaste,

Amy

Moon Tribe Yoga Circle

       “Who is She?

       She is a daughter. She is a best friend. She is a pocketful of light. She is a spark of    something good, getting brighter; a dream grown large; the right thing at the right time… She wakes with anticipation. She finds new hills to climb. And everyone agrees that the very fact of her in the world means there is still so much good to come.

       Who is She? She is me. She is you. I am Her.” 

                                                                              

                                                                                        – From “I am Her” by M. H. Clark

Because I am a homeschool mom, I have the gift of spending time with lots of kids, lots of different ages, gifts, and personalities in community. I get to have conversations with two-year-olds and fifteen-year-olds, wee girls, big boys, young women and men. Also, lots and lots of moms and some dads.  I just love this side effect of homeschooling, because I get to have real connections with all these kids who hang out with me in this weave of community. 

Over the last few years, the moms and I have created a rich and nurturing circle in which we are able to bare and be borne.  It’s a yoga circle, but it’s become so much more. One mom described it like this:

“Imagine....a dimly lit room with an immaculate altar adorned with candles galore and 15-20 women in a close intimate circle moving together, meditating together, finding peace together through yoga...individual, partner, and community yoga poses. Connecting deeply. Circling even closer through…ritual. Women pouring out their hearts, opening up to the possibility of healing, of receiving, of being, of loving themselves. And then we close with three heart felt OMs and the circle continues with feasting and closeness as our conversations remain on a very deep and empowering level. Women connecting and feeling heard.”

And then the wondering began. Could this kind of offering be made for our young women, for our not-a-girl-not-yet-a-woman, maiden, girl children?  

The answer, of course, is Yes! This circle has certainly been gestating long before it came into consciousness for us grown women. These girls are ready for this! This is their circle: Moon Tribe Yoga Circle!

If you are a mom or an aunt or a friend of a young woman, age 10-17, and you would have “loved to have this kind of circle when I was young” – invite her! She can choose to say yes or no. The circle will always remain open.

More info here.

Namaste,

Amy