March 2022: To begin again

To begin again...
From a different vantage point
 

I don’t know where to begin. Since my husband, growing belly, and I left San Francisco in November 2020 for London, so much has happened.  All roads do lead me back to yoga though, so here I am.

My inability to decide what to write here and provide you, my dear sangha, an update, is 100% reflective of the whirlwind that has been moving to London, childbirth, Motherhood, and finally what I thought was my identity as a yoga teacher.  Much of what I thought I was made of has been questioned, uplifted, smacked down, and redirected - all for the better.  Only a fool doesn’t evolve - so I guess I’m saying that I hope I’m not a fool?  Lol.

Moving to London got us closer to family and this has been a lifeline not only during the pandemic but as new parents.  Having a new baby in the family has brought many more visits and family gatherings than we could have imagined and I will never again underestimate the sheer drive a Grandparent has to see their grandchild :)  

Upon discovering I was pregnant in the summer of 2020, I thought I’d have the baby in Spring 2021 and hop right back on the yoga bandwagon a few months later - HA!  No cigar.  I had the most wonderful pregnancy (high), the scariest birth (low), postpartum depression (low), the most wonderful support from my husband (high), bolstering from friends and family (high), and the cutest, most amazing little boy named Lupo to call my own (HIGH).

Someone recently asked me how I would describe parenthood and without dropping a beat I responded ‘The shitty parts are so much shittier than you could possibly imagine, but the truly amazing parts are so much more amazing than you could possibly imagine’.  Are the highs worth the lows?  Absolutely. Without a doubt. Yes.

What have I learned and how am I evolving because of it all?  I’m more compassionate towards anyone who has suffered or is suffering from mental health issues.  Never having experienced depression before I can only now truly know how debilitating it can be and how powerless one can feel.  I’ve learned that help and healing will come from some expected places, but also will not show up from others. I don’t judge those who weren’t there because I certainly wasn’t there for anyone during this past year.  You really never know what someone is going through, so be kind, forgiving, and ultimately thankful for those who are able to be there for you. 

Now that the fog has lifted and I’m thriving in this new life I’ve created, I’m hitting the pavement here in London in search of yoga teaching opportunities.  If you have any connections here, I’d be greatly appreciative.  I’ve also begun teaching privately online. So no matter what time zone you’re in,  let me know if you’d like to get your chatturanga on with me!  

It's time for me to begin again, from a different vantage point.  All so familiar but all so new.  Just as with every breath we take. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

Sending love and many deep, calm breaths,

Laura