​Buddhism teaches change is inevitable. Everything in life is temporary; even the tattoos on my skin were created on a temporary body.
     Change can make people feel uneasy because, with change, comes uncertainty. But without change, we perhaps stagnate our own growth. Sam Cooke sang "A change is gonna come". So, let me share with you some changes headed our way that will hopefully get you excited though I leave you with some temporary uncertainties!
     As you know, when Covid hit, I took my yoga classes to Zoom and began uploading my classes to YouTube so you would all have those classes when you needed them. Around that time, perhaps a little sooner, I went back to school for my master's in counseling. For the past few years, I have been working at Roger's Behavioral Health as an OCD, PTSD, Anxiety and Depression therapist. I have been able to incorporate yoga, meditation and mindfulness to a certain extent, which as you all know, are life-changing skills. I have recently decided to leave this job for an opportunity in Naperville, joining a practice that also owns a yoga studio. Are "The Winds of Change" tickling your brain just yet?!
     It is a beautiful space in the 5th Ave Station building and the studio is called Grow Well Yoga. I am working on creating an in-person yoga schedule to work around my therapy hours and will send out an alert when I have it pinned down. I anticipate teaching by late April/early May.
     Due to my schedule change, I am putting the Death Cafe on a temporary hiatus. I will need to choose a different day and time and decide if it should remain virtual, in-person or be hybrid.
     My biggest challenge is being a people-pleaser and I am constantly reminding myself the changes in days and times won't make everyone happy, but I will try to make sure I accommodate everyone as best I can. I do not anticipate cutting out all virtual yoga because some of you are too far away to join in-person so this is another aspect of what I am trying to figure out.
     I did want to tell you a little bit about the studio we will be joining. It offers a drop-in rate and class packages, like other studios, but the KEY difference is that ALL proceeds from yoga classes go directly into the Grow Wellness Foundation, which offers mental health services to those who cannot afford it. I see this as an added Karma yoga benefit:) You can seek more information on the foundation by following this link: https://growwellnessfoundation.org/
     Again, I will let you know as soon as I make some decisions. Until then, the virtual yoga classes remain the same and only Death Cafe falls off the calendar for a month or two.

​I was recently challenged to adopt the mantra "No expectations" for a week. The challenge included writing the mantra on post-it notes and sticking them around the house. I decided to rely on this mantra whenever I felt frustrated or did not get the response from someone that I was hoping for. As soon as I said "no expectations" to myself, I felt relief. I felt lighter. As thought the weight of the expectation had been draped over my shoulders unbeknownst to me.
Releasing expectations is very much like releasing attachments. The consequence to our attachments is suffering. I am attached to my favorite mug. I drop it and it shatters. I am sad because that was my favorite mug. It is my attachment and labeling of the mug that leads to my sadness. If I recognized the mug through gratitude for being a coffee vessel, it is simply that and no more. When it breaks, I thank it for its service and select another mug. Expectations are attachments to outcomes. If I ask someone a question, I may expect an answer. If they do not answer me, some type of emotion is bound to follow as they did not meet my expectations. In the same scenario, if the person doesn't respond and I think "no expectations", I free myself from the suffering.
My challenge to you for the month of September is to embrace "No expectations" as your mantra. You may even choose to keep a journal about your findings:)
 “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” – William Shakespeare
“Trade your expectations for appreciation and see how your relationship will transform.”
“Expectation feeds frustration as it’s simply an illusive form of control by attempting to grip the reins that aren’t ours to hold. Breathe. Release. Let go. Allow your life naturally, quietly unfold.” – Victoria Erickson

I hope the New Year finds you well! If you received my January newsletter, you are caught up with yoga class dates, my YouTube yoga classes, and my next Death Cafe. You have also already read Maryann's article on Ocean Jasper:)
If you would like to be added to my newsletter list, send me a message or click link above.
For the newsletter article, crystal of the month and more, go to www.sandracoyner.com.

a grateful perspective
As I write this, I am doling out candy to witches, and ghosts, and princesses. I am also handing out candy to costumes I do not understand; costumes that I cannot connect with their TV or movie origin. And, so, I think about that and the passing of time. When you read this, it will be November. Change will be in air as the nights grow darker sooner and the air takes on a frigidity that makes the nose take notice. 

I think of gratitude. Not just because that is what you are supposed to do in November when Thanksgiving roles around. But the kind of gratitude that makes each day worthy on its own merit.

Maybe most importantly, gratitude is a practice.

Maureen McCullough wrote, "My socks may not match, but my feet are always warm.” 
This quote identifies the perspective shift that needs to occur for us to embrace gratitude. How many times have you said, "This has been a bad day"? Has the whole day really been bad or did one thing occur that set off your mood?

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr

Some people are grateful for cookies or chocolate or caramel... as I eat, I mean hand out Halloween candy, I am grateful Twix has all three:)
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Yogi and Reiki Master Teacher Melody Radmacher has created a website and business for her Reiki practice. Her link is below and I know she would love you to check out her site her site:)
https://sites.google.com/view/reikihealingenergy
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday November  8th at CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation.
Space is limited to 20.
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Yoga Class Schedule

ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  Momentarily paused:)
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative

If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Apache Tears
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
When I think of November my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving.  Every year we recall the first Thanksgiving with the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims with a feast in 1621.  When thinking about a stone for this month, I cam across Apache Tears which are native to the American Southwest.  Its name derives from a legend about an Apache tribe who faced the US Cavalry in the 1870’s on a mountain overlooking what is now Superior, Arizona.  Seriously outnumbered, the Apache decided to ride their horses off the mountain to their deaths rather than face defeat.  The families of the warriors cried when they learned of the tragedy and these tears turned to stone when they hit the ground.  These are now considered to be good luck stones.
 
Apache Tears are gentle healing stones known to help one navigate grief and loss.  They can also help those who suffer from depression and are said to absorb negative energy.  They are purported to heal old wounds and remove self-limitations and facilitate spontaneity.
 
Apache Tears can be a talisman of protection from negative forces and can raise a person’s awareness of approaching threats in the form of persons, energies, or situations before they are upon you.  Because of their mythological origins, they can help through struggles gracefully and gently.
 
Apache Tears are valuable for regulating excessive Fire energy and can be useful to the type A personality who may need to learn the value of stillness.  They strengthen the blood and immune system and can help calm fever and give vitality and strength to the body.
 
This is definitely a stone to consider if you need healing or grounding.
 


Copyright 2011-  November 2021 

challenge
October challenge...since Halloween is my favorite holiday:)
1. Decorate a pumpkin while somehow adding in a yoga theme
2. Take a picture doing a yoga pose with a Halloween theme
3. Your idea but must combine Halloween and yoga.

Post on my website and send me your picture for next month's newsletter. You have all of October to post. Prize for the first to post and prize for most creative (as chosen by yours truly!)
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday October  11th at CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation.
Space is limited to 20.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Yoga Class Schedule
ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  Momentarily paused:)
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative

If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
_________________________________________________________________________________________
FEATURED HEALING STONE: Carnelian
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
I cannot believe it is October already!  While the trees might not be exhibiting their usual brilliant fall colors, they are changing right now.  Carnelian is a beautiful orange stone that can remind us of the autumn splendor we so often see. 
 
Historically, Carnelian has been widely used from ancient times.  In Ancient Egypt, the dead were adorned with Carnelian necklaces symbolizing the blood of Isis and protection into the afterlife.  A chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead was inscribed on a tablet of Carnelian!  The Prophet Mohammed supposedly wore a Carnelian ring on the little finger of his right hand.  Napoleon I and II wore a seal of Carnelian during their rule.  It has also been used by wizards who used its power to trigger other stones.  It was considered a status symbol which would offer protection for sickness and help avert calamities.
 
The reason Carnelian has been so widely used is probably the strength and energy this stone possesses.  It was believed to give the wearer courage in battle and to help timid speakers become eloquent and bold.  It is said to activate the lower three chakras energizing one’s personal will into overdrive.  Courage, power and passion are traits that will emerge when working with this stone. 
 
Carnelian can help one to “take a leap of faith” and take major action dedicating one to a new path.  It can also assist those who procrastinate or are unable to make a decision. It can be used in meditation to help the user understand how to bring a concept to fruition.  It is also useful in manifestation work.
 
This crystal helps with physical issues.  It stimulates the metabolism and increases motivation.  It helps to bring a good supply of blood to the organs and tissues.  It is said to benefit absorption of vitamins and nutrients in the small intestine and to improve circulation.  It is supposed to reduce congestion, phlebitis, varicose veins and hemorrhoids as well.  It provides support for breaking bad physical habits, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs and improving overall health.
 
All in all, Carnelian is a good stone for rekindling our commitment to health and energy after the long, hot summer.  It can help us get out of the doldrums as we are quickly approaching the Holiday Season. 

​“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
― Rumi

As we head into fall, the sun slowly backs away from us, so slowly in hopes we do not notice until the wind's chill brings our focus to the present. The sunflower locks its gaze on the sun and never turns away from the warmth that embraces its face. This flower has the ability from within to continue to turn as the sun moves through the sky so the two never lose sight of each other. Is that the love Rumi speaks of? Basking so openly in the presence of the other without walls? 

Yellow is the color of the solar plexus: the energy center that balances when we relinquish ideas of control and embrace the Self. Assembling barriers to "protect" oneself is a form of control. Knock the sand castle down. Breathe in the September air. Look for semblances of you in each red leaf, in each stored acorn, in each dried up flower. September houses the shortest day of the year so make your moments matter. When you release control, and the barriers your seeking of control allowed you to build, love seeks you.
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday September 13th at 6pm CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation.
Space is limited to 20.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga Class Schedule
ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  Momentarily paused:)
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative
 
If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Tangerine Quartz
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
As September begins, we are seeing shorter days and soon will see Autumn colors emerging.  Tangerine Quartz is the stone that reminds me of this!
 
This beautiful quartz ranges in color from yellow to deep rust and is associated with the sacral chakra.  It encourages creativity, passion, curiosity, inspiration and playfulness.  It stimulates the creative energy of the inner child helping one to learn and grow.  It can be your go-to crystal when you want to gain more understanding, growth or acceptance.  It can also help you to tackle your inner issues without judgement or criticism.  It is known to quiet the critical inner voice that often prevents us from moving forward.
 
This stone can aid in overcoming fear especially the fear of feeling inferior.  Tangerine Quartz can help you to deal with change and transitions as well as putting the past behind you.  It can help you to find a place of serenity after physical or emotional trauma.  The energy of Tangerine Quartz allows a greater understanding of the different events that affect your life.
 
Tangerine Quartz can be a great healer for you especially if you wish to release anything that no longer serves you.  It has been used in weight loss and reproductive system disorders.  It can be of help in the case of infertility, sexual dysfunction and can be used to relieve lower abdominal pain.
 
This quartz can give support in manifesting abundance and prosperity in your life.  When meditating, it helps you to focus your thoughts and manifest what you desire.  If you have had a difficult day, it can help you to release tension and the stress that built up during the day.  This can be very useful in these days that are quite full of stress.

Yoga Themes...
A plethora of yoga themes are coming your way on my YouTube channel!
Look for sound healing, pain management, happiness, and, well, SO MUCH MORE!

Thanks for being patient as I fell a little behind getting them posted-- hopefully, the wait was worth it:)
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday June 14th at 6pm CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation.
Space is limited to 20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga Class Schedule
ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  2-3:15pm Inspired Vinyasa
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative

If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Moss Agate
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
This month’s stone of the month is for all of you gardeners out there.  Throughout history and all cultures, Moss Agate has been known as the crystal of gardeners and agriculture due to the inclusions resembling moss or ferns.  Planted in a pot or flower bed, it increases the overall health of plants.
 
Like most crystals, Moss Agate has been used for centuries for personal ornamentation.  During the late 18th century, it was considered a good luck stone in Britain and was widely carried.  European farmers used to hang it from trees and from the horns of oxen when plowing to encourage successful harvests.  It was considered a miraculous healing stone for tribal priests and was used as a talisman to make warriors strong and victorious.  Even midwives believed it assisted in the birthing process reducing pain and celebrating the beginning of a new life.
 
It is helpful to all the body systems regulating pulse and other heartbeat irregularities.  It is also said to cure ringing in the ears.  It stimulates the digestive system, relieves gastritis, and aids in the elimination of toxins from the body.  Moreover, it may reduce the symptoms of epilepsy and can help sleepwalkers.   It is also thought to cure insomnia and encourage pleasant dreams,
Moss Agate is a grounding stone which assists the holder in connecting with the earth and stimulates connections with Nature spirits.  It brings peace and stability to the emotional body and is especially beneficial to those who experience extreme mood swings.  It soothes tempers and promotes patience, wholeness and inner calm.
Moss Agate is also a stone of wealth, attracting abundance in all forms. In the workplace, it draws new business and gradual expansion, increasing prosperity over time. It is good for small businesses and the self-employed, and a fortifying crystal for financial institutions. Keep one near when working on tax returns, spread sheets or figures that will not add up, and one with bank papers to encourage savings.
 
Interestingly enough, Moss Agate is one of the zodiac stones for those born under the sign Gemini, between May 21 and June 20, when the northern hemisphere is approaching summer---one of the reasons for choosing this as the stone of the month. The constellation Gemini is known as the Sign of the Inventor and is seen as twins side by side in the sky. It is closely associated with the planet Mercury. Those born under this sign can see both sides of an issue. They’re flexible and can go with the flow, and can be lively and talkative, or restless and nervous depending on their setting. Those born when the Sun is in Gemini are quick thinkers, quick-witted, and quick on their feet.
 
Whether or not you were born under the sign of Gemini, Moss Agate is a welcome addition to any crystal collection and can bring many desirable things into your life.

my voice, my choice
     I have had many recent conversations surrounding the topic of forgiveness lately and have found it to be a rabbit hole type of discussion. What I mean by that is one person can wholeheartedly believe that forgiveness is essential for mental wellbeing (which isn’t being disputed either way here) while another cannot even fathom forgiving a transgression done against them because the repercussions were so awful. The first opinion makes the second person feel worse because now they are being told they will never find peace until they can forgive. Hence, the journey down a winding rabbit hole. Which answer is right? We have all heard expressions stating anger only harms us and forgiveness is the anecdote that frees us. But consider how that sounds to someone who has been so hurt, so ravaged, so torn apart…by someone else. Why should they forgive? How can they?
    
     And so, in one of these discussions, we fell upon the word acknowledgment. We all agreed that it felt okay to acknowledge negative feelings around an incident and let them go.  We also decided to abolish the word forgiveness.

     While forgiveness is meant to be peaceful and assuring, I think all the attachments and expectations that the word brings becomes a sharp-edged sword to those already suffering. It is one thing to forgive someone for standing you up for a lunch date; it is completely another thing to forgive something so heinous it has left imprints on one’s entire life. So...with respect...I release the word forgiveness.

     I wonder what you think about letting go of the feelings you’ve accumulated versus…forgiving?  I feel uneasy with the topic of forgiveness because expecting or telling someone to forgive so they can feel better just seems backwards. I like acknowledging the feelings instead because then we can do whatever we choose with them. And in choosing, we use our voice and reclaim our power.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday April 12th at 6pm CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation. Space is limited to 20.
___________________________________________________________________________________________YYoga Class Schedule
ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  2-3:15pm Inspired Vinyasa
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative

 If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
____________________________________________________________________________________________
FEATURED HEALING STONE: Chrysocolla
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
When thinking of Spring, I think of Mother Nature, a goddess in her on rite!  For this month of April, I have chosen Chrysocolla which is a stone of the Goddess.  Like Mother Nature, it is a stone of empowerment of the feminine energies in both women and men.  While emanating power, it teaches that power is best expressed through gentleness. 
 
The name Chrysocolla comes from the Greek word Chrysos meaning gold and Kola which translates to glue. It earned part of its name kola as it was one of the first materials to be used by goldsmiths to weld precious metals together. Artists and workers loved the stone, and it was often used by renaissance painters, ground down to a pigment to be used in their most epic works of art. It was beloved by Emperors and Kings, known to be a stone that carried connotations of elite living.
 
This is a stone that is associated with the root, heart and throat chakras.  As such, it is an ally of those who speak for a living.  It is a teaching stone that encourages us to reveal our highest knowledge so others may benefit from our experiences.  It also teaches one to choose words carefully and that sometimes silence is the best choice.  It is a stone of wise women everywhere and is often a gift for first-time grandmothers to help balance their new caring role.  It is also a good stone for those who live alone who may feel nervous being alone at night.
 
Strangely enough, it has been used as a crystal to encourage people to stay at home!  It has been prized since antiquity by monks, wise men and hermits to diminish anxiety that often accompanies seclusion.  It could also help those with wandering tendencies who never seem to stay in one place.   
 
Thanks to its calming properties, Chrysocolla helps to lower blood pressure. Alongside being an amazing antidote to anxiety, it helps with depression and can ease emotional heartache. On top of this, it also helps regulate blood sugar, aids digestion, keeps the lungs clean and healthy and can deal with infections and fevers.
 
All in all, it is a stone worth its weight in gold, just as its name implies. It is a great stone for this months opening of spring and a return of the beauty that accompanies it. 


Copyright 2011- April 2021

reflecting on change...
   I typed in the word "humble" and stumbled across the picture above. It makes me think of so many things that have transpired over the past year. I am first drawn to the monk's mask. In our yoga classes together, we have often talked about the masks we wear, but I was never referring to a tangible and literal mask. What we once scrambled to find a year ago has become mainstream. And our masks can reflect our personalities, our favorite sports teams, our opinions, our favorite colors.

I see the monk's yellow and orange robes, which are common colors but can be interpreted by the chakras they correlate with. The orange connects to the sacral chakra, and its element is water. This energy center is about flowing along with life, and that has definitely been a necessity over the past year. Some of us, at times, may have felt the flow was more like a tsunami and its devastating effects, perhaps, still linger. The yellow is the color of the solar plexus; the center associated with fire and digestion. This year has felt much like putting out fires and, when I think about the digestion aspect, I think about all the people who have gone hungry and still are. I read a news story just this morning about a little girl who broke down in her Zoom classroom because she and her family were starving. I think of her inner strength to say those words aloud and how the majority of us would jump to deliver food immediately and offer help. We often do not know where help is needed until someone voices desperation....

I look at the bowl the monk is holding. The metal reflects that around it and symbolically offers reflection into what has transpired. There are flags in the picture behind the monk and this makes me feel hopeful...let me tell you why. I have been afforded the opportunity to pop into Zoom meetings/classes around the world. In my Death Cafe meetings, I have new friends from Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, England, and all over the United States. As well, my son and I have been playing a geography game called geoguesser and, boy, does it help if you know your flags! So, I think of all the time I have been fortunate enough to spend with my kids. I still wish they were able to be where they want to be, but I am hopeful they eventually will. So we bond and pass the time playing cards, and trivia, and goofy family games that we make up.

Perhaps the most impactful aspect of this picture to me is that I found it on unsplash.com; it is a free stock photo posted by someone named Tenzin Namgyal (thank you!) and anybody can use it. It was just sitting out there in Internet space, it's meaning hidden until someone stumbled upon it. I had typed in the word humble and this picture found me...
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday March 8th at 6pm CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation. Space is limited to 20.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yoga Class Schedule
ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password. Please note the Vinyasa has moved day and time.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
*TUESDAY's:  2-3:15pm Inspired Vinyasa
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative
 
If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Labradorite
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
As we enter March, I am inclined to think of green things---grass showing as the snow melts, St. Patrick’s Day, Leprechauns and the proverbial pot of gold.  In this vein, I searched to find crystals for luck.  The one I was immediately drawn to was Labradorite.  I wrote about this particular stone when I first started my monthly column and I fear I did not do it justice.  As my knowledge of crystals and their meanings has grown considerably, I thought it wise to reexamine this wonderful crystal.  So here we go again.
 
As a gemstone, Labradorite became popular in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  It was first found in Canada in 1770 and gets its name from Labrador.  It is valued for the remarkable play of color as the stone seems to glow from within---Labradorescence!  Folklore of the Inuit peoples claim that it fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis. One warrior is said to have even tried to free the light with his spear, but the strength of the rocks was such that this beautiful spectrum of light was crystallized inside them forever.  So, it became a stone of magic used by shamans, diviners, healers and all who travel and embrace the universe seeking knowledge and guidance.   
 
Labradorite is considered to be a lucky stone of magic. The reason comes from the belief that those who used it had access to a range of abilities that seemed magical to others.  Labradorite brings the gifts of serendipity and synchronicity. These two things combined can make amazing things happen in your life. Those little coincidences, where you are in the right place at just the right time, just seem to occur more often once you begin to use this stone.  Sometimes called “the magician,” it is said to bridge the gap between the heavens and physical reality making your dreams always within reach.  It can support your intentions by encouraging you to go after what you truly desire. 
A stone of transformation, Labradorite is a useful companion through change, imparting strength and perseverance.  It balances and protects the aura, raises consciousness and grounds spiritual energies.  Excellent for strengthening intuition - promoting psychic abilities.  Powerful in revealing the truth behind illusions, Labradorite banishes fears and insecurities, and strengthens faith in the self and trust in the universe.  It stimulates the imagination and calms an overactive mind, developing enthusiasm and new ideas.
 
Labradorite is purported to treat disorders of the eyes and brain, stimulates mental acuity, and relieves anxiety and stress.  It regulates metabolism, balances hormones and relieves menstrual tension.  Labradorite treats colds, gout, and rheumatism, lowers blood pressure, and aids in digestion.
 
However you look at Labradorite, I hope you are able to enjoy the luminescence of it and that is truly brings you luck in whatever you desire.

​*Still a BRILLIANT VALENTINE'S IDEA!! 
(For less than $10!)
The Horizon is Here: Finding Life's Lessons in Everyday Living
--Get it on Amazon (paperback or Kindle)

This book is for anyone questioning life, seeking lessons, trying to understand current struggles. looking for answers...it's for ALL OF US!!!

You can order directly from Amazon or the link on www.inspiredbyearth.com OR
you can purchase directly from me for a signed copy:)
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 love a little differently
     Love yourself enough this month that you try doing something you have an interest in and have always wanted to do. There, I said it; that's the theme of this article and you can stop right there if you want to figure out what that is for you.
     Someone (xoxoxo) recently told me they were taking yoga teacher training at age 70 because they were going to be 70 regardless. I LOVED that statement! If you have been falling upon your age as an excuse in any capacity, this is your reminder to stop. You are not too old for a new hobby, a new career path, a new whatever. We are all pretty good at tossing out excuses like breadcrumbs to the birds. They scatter, landing every which way, and we hope one sticks, because if they didn't, we may have to sit down and consider what truly holds us back.
     I recently discovered a Facebook group about re-painting furniture. It piqued my interest, and I have now painted my bed frame and two nightstands. A small table that I bought from a new charity FB page I found is next in line. So, my monthly assignment for you is to find one new thing to love. Obviously, my "love" theme aligns with February's Valentine's Day. But, don't make that your focus. It is too easy to go out, and buy a heart shaped box of chocolates. Do something  for you....and then (LOL) gift yourself the chocolate as a reward!
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I am holding my next virtual Death Cafe meeting on Monday February 8th at 6pm CST. Please email me for the link and password. You can also find my meetings on www.deathcafe.com as Death Cafe Western Suburbs Chicago. If you have never been to one, please consider joining me in a safe space to organically talk about death. We have some really great conversations! There is no meeting agenda and the intention is to make this a more comfortable and normal conversation. Space is limited to 20.
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ALL classes will remain ONLINE on Zoom until further notice. All are welcome to attend any class for free. Please reach out to me for the link and password.

*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
 *WEDNESDAY'S:
10-11:15am, Inspired Vinyasa
(All Levels) &
6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative

If you miss a class, I am posting them to my YouTube page, which can be found by searching my name or by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b8ULuY6A2uAuoxC2iaO2Q
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Rainbow Flourite
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
  
As I am writing this article, I see the beautiful snowflakes which are piling up considerably, and I thought of how rainbows often appear after a storm.  Rainbow Fluorite came to mind!  It is a beautiful stone especially for this time of year when we are deep in the middle of winter. 
 
Fluorite comes in a wide range of colors, from purple to yellow and even rainbow! It is known “psychic vacuum cleaner” which can clear confusion, cluttered thoughts and negativity.  Because of this, it is a mineral that can be used to cleanse all the chakras.
 
The name fluorite comes from the Latin word flux which means flowing and mixing of minerals to make better ones.  The Fluorite crystal properties come from its distinctive fluorescent light that features different colors when exposed to UV rays.  It can even glow in the dark after this exposure.   Because of its rainbow coloring, it was thought at one time to house rainbows.  In China, Fluorite has been used to sculpt ornate vessels for over three centuries. Ancient Egyptians used Fluorite to carve scarabs and statues of deities. Ancient Romans used Fluorite for decoration.
 
Rainbow Fluorite has many uses.  For healing, it draws off negative energy and stress of all kinds.  It cleanses and purifies anything in the body that is not working properly.  It helps to calm the mind so one can take things one at a time.  Psychologically, it dissolves fixed patterns of behavior, increasing self-confidence and dexterity.  It is an excellent learning aid as it processes and organizes information.  It helps the user to integrate new information into what is already learned.  It also promotes quick thinking. 
 
Interestingly enough, it has been used for centuries as a wish stone.  It aligns the heart and head and clears energetic blockages thus enabling one to wish for the heart’s deepest desires.  It can then be used in meditation to manifest those desires.
 
Finally, Rainbow Fluorite is said to be effective protection against computer and electromagnetic stress.  This could be very useful these days as so many are working and schooling on screens at home. This stone can be placed between you and your computer or worn as jewelry around the neck or as earrings.   It can be held as one does breath work to counter feelings of being overwhelmed by the workload. 
It is certainly worth a try. 
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"Sometimes, people use age as a convenient excuse. 'I'm to old too start something new', or, 'I couldn't learn that at my age.' Other people, though, go on to achieve their greatest accomplishments in life in later years." Catherine Pulsifer