Inspired By Earth Newsletter January 2019

"The metamorphosis of your life begins with your mental appreciation for the cocoon stage of your journey. The adversities, the struggles, the perils of life are what either destroy your motivation or encourage your transformation to become what you were truly born to be."     DeWayne Owens

I was scared to go waterfall rappelling before I even signed us up. I wasn't afraid of the act itself or even the heights; I was afraid of how cold the water was going to be. And, it was. Damn cold. That may look like a smile of satisfaction in the picture above, some may even say bliss, but that is the unfortunate look of someone who finds themselves right. That is the look that crossed my face before I let out a piercing shriek. And, that shriek was all I could muster before the coldness closed off my lungs, and I knew I had to swim quickly or be pulled out.

I have never been much of a water person. I like to stand on the beach and look at the ocean. I like to dip my feet in a pool but not the rest of me. But, I loved paddle board yoga when we took a class field trip to try it out, and I loved the rappelling, too. Perhaps at the age of fifty, my cocoon is chipping away and my journey has begun?

January is a cocooning month as we in the cold states hibernate our lives away. But January also brings change. Though a new year can begin any day you really want it to, January gives us the illusion of out with the old and in with the new. I have to honest; I thought 2018 sucked. If I could dunk the year in that frigid water to give it a cleansing, I would. I am writing this on New Year's Eve, and this year is still dragging out each hour. Just for good measure, to make sure 2018 goes out with a doozy, my daughter's hamster died yesterday.

On most nights, I am happy to be in bed around 9pm. I have news for you all! This New Year's, I'm staying up to personally escort 2018 out and 2019 in. I intend to create my own metamorphoses over and over again as I knock down cocoon walls to breathe in fresh air. January brings change. What kind of change would you like to own? How about we intend to do it together.


Om shanti shanti shanti (peace)
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/edith_wharton_100511?src=t_light
Yoga Class Schedule/Workshops
*Gentle/Restorative classes every Wednesday evening from 6-7:15pm.
Healing Arts Metaphysical, 4 E Wilson Street, Batavia (parking lot in back)
All Levels, Walk-ins, $15

*Gentle/Restorative classes every Sunday from 10-11:15am.
Healing Arts Metaphysical, 4 E Wilson Street, Batavia (parking lot in back)
All Levels, Walk-ins, $15

*Inspired Vinyasa (Level 1), Tuesday's 10-11:15am, 1 E Benton St,, Aurora, downstairs. Parking in back or on street. $12/class, walk-in, all levels. Even more exciting, I will be making a monthly donation to the Aurora Food Pantry as part of the agreement for using this space.  Work out, find peace and give back all at the same time!
 
Reiki Sessions, Reiki Classes and Angel Card Readings are available as you need.
YOGA FIELD TRIPS!!!

*Bookmark Making Class with Amber
(not the stone, the instructor LOL!)
Sunday Feb 3 11:30am-12:15pm
Healing Arts Metaphysical (directly after Restorative Yoga class)
Looking for a fun, quick, but thoughtful keepsake? Let’s create personalized ribbon bookmarks for ourselves and others! They take just a few minutes to create, but are so meaningful to those you share them with. 
Bring your own supplies so you can customize your creations. Class is free to all; $5 room rental fee/person. Please email me at [email protected] to let me know you are coming:)

Supply List:
16mm or 5/8inch Ribbon Clamp End Crimps (2 per bookmark)
 5/8" wide ribbon- grosgrain works well... 9" per bookmark
jump rings
nylon jaw pliers and round nose pliers
earrings, pendants, charms or beads for ends
***See picture below
*Board and Brush Oswego
Date: TBA (March)
This class is not a private class so sign up as soon as I schedule the date. We will be able to sit as a group, and I think the class holds about 30 people.  We will be able to make and design our own board signs and we can each pick the one we want to do! Look at the Gallery pics ahead of time. I will plan this for early March so all of the holiday options will be replaced. When you sign up, you must indicate which sign you want to make. You will be asked whom you want to sit with,,,type Sandra's Yoga Group. The cost is $65 but I have a $10 off code" BBOSWEGO


FEATURED HEALING STONE: Garnet
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire

As the New Year begins, I thought I would focus on the birthstones of each month. So, in January, we examine the properties of Garnet.  Although commonly known to be red, it is found in a variety of colors.  The six types of Garnets, Rhodolite, Almandine, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite and Uxarovite, have different colors, but we will focus on the Rhodolite, the most commonly seen.
 
The name, Garnet, is derived from the Latin word granatum which meant pomegranate and refers to the stone‘s resemblance to the shape and color of a pomegranate seed. 
 
Garnets haven been used since ancient times for protection and as a talisman against negative energies.  It combines the energies of the root chakra, heart chakra and crown chakra offering support on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.  These stones were used in Europe as far back as the Bronze Age, in Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece and even in Aztec, Mayan and Native American cultures as well.  According to the Talmud, a very large Garnet provided the only light on Noah’s ark!  It was used as a Warrior’s Stone during the Crusades as a talisman for both Christians and Muslims. 
 
The folklore on Garnet is extensive.  It is purported to bring peace, prosperity and good health to the home and symbolize deep and lasting friendship.  It was believed to make the wearer invulnerable from wounds, but some Asian tribes launched them from their bows and later used them as bullets believing they would cause more damage to the enemy.
 
Garnet is thought to reduce body toxins and stimulate the metabolism.  It treats spinal and cellular disorders, purifies the blood and regenerates DNA.  It provides a protective influence and is thought to heal emotional disorders.  In a crisis, it activates survival instinct bringing hope and courage to those situations.

No matter how you wear this beautiful stone, it is perfect to start the New Year with a sense of goodwill, happiness and purpose.  Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.  May you enjoy peace, good health and prosperity in the coming year!
 

FEATURED QUESTION:
What yoga field trip ideas should we look at for April? Post ideas on either my personal FB page or my Inspired by Earth FB page!

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