Before I get into it today…
OMG the responses I keep getting to those of you who took the class last Friday or have done the replay!!! Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts and experiences with me.
“That felt so different from other classes! I can’t wait for this series! I’m already signed up!”
“I have no idea how I stumbled upon your magic, but I’m so glad I did. I’m halfway through the class and needed to take a water break and email you!”
“I just signed up because I know I need this time for myself to connect to my body.”
“I feel so good.”
UGH. Words of affirmation are my love language so…thank you for this! And it doesn’t have to end here! Reserve your spot in the four week online Pilates class HERE!
Ok, it’s September which I love.
While it’s still hot as all get out here in the northeast, I know the crisp air is coming! School is starting, the leaves will start changing color, and the High Holidays are around the corner!
You may or may not know this, but Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (day of atonement) are the biggest holidays in Judaism. I’m not a Rabbi (though I have been called a Vabbi — a Vagina Rabbi and have MANY years of Hebrew school under my belt) so I’m not going to go too deep, but these holidays are a big deal and are all about reflecting on the past year, acknowledging any wrongdoing, apologizing and a lot of themes of forgiveness and repentance.
A book recently came my way and the timing is…auspicious to say the least. In Yiddish we’d say Besheret, but you may prefer coincidence, divine intervention, or simply that I like to find meaning in things and any time I found this book would have seemed like a big deal. Call it what you want, reading this book NOW for me is a BIG effing deal.
The book is about forgiveness and repentance. The Hebrew word for repentance has a deeper meaning of return. Return to yourself.
Cue brain explosion.
The moment Cam came out of my belly I’ve been returning to myself. Physically yes, but also more than that. Sometimes it feels like “WTF happened?! What’s going on? Where am I? What am I doing? I did what?!?!?” A la the hangover. Other times it’s more like “Wow. Listen friend, so much happened, so much changed. You did an incredible job handling all of that. How do you feel now? What do you need?”
Life isn’t linear. We veer off course, things go coo coo bananas, and suddenly we look around like “How the hell did I get here?!” And it’s in these moments that we have the opportunity to acknowledge what’s true, get our bearings, and return to ourselves.
This can be big heavy stuff or it can be as simple as losing consistency on the mat, the trick hip getting tricky again, and deciding to get back on the mat. And it may be weird at first, but it also may be totally fine.
Like one participant in last week’s mat class said
“I haven’t been on my mat since before my son was born almost 4 years ago. I thought I was going to embarrass myself, but I’m still strong.”
Hell yea you are.
The way I see it, each time you return to your mat, your practice, yourself, you are stronger than last time. You have more experience and information to bring with you. Your time away isn’t wasted, it’s an opportunity to rebuild stronger.
As the school year starts, the weather changes (fingers crossed— sorry not sorry summer people), and the New Year approaches, what are you returning to?
Reply to this email and let me know! I love hearing from you.
As always, I’ve got your back. I’ve got your front. And I’ve got your undercarriage.
Xo, Alissa
If you’re looking to return to your mat, sign up for my four week online pilates class! We start Tuesday, September 12th! CLICK HERE for more info!