Spring! Sunny greetings! March is arriving like a lamb in NY after February left like a lion (yes, I realize this isn't the adage), with a massive 4-day snowstorm that left over 150,000 people in our area without electric power, the largest in our local utility company's history. We had no power at our house for 3 days, during which we made like pioneer folk, bundling up, hanging out by candlelight, cooking by gas range and using snow to make soup, plus camping in front of our fireplace. I feel extremely grateful for our safe home, for my family, who had fun and intrepid attitudes about our power outage, and I feel most grateful for the modern conveniences that we so often take for granted and missed for a mere 3 days, although it felt like so much longer. When our heat and lights came back on, we talked about it for a week in our house. I'm still so appreciative that I've included in my daily gratitude our warm and modernly equipped home. In these early days of March, I can see the trees revealing tiny buds, feel the squishy ground softening in its fluid, muddy manner, and evidence of longer days is here already. This weekend (March 14) marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, springing us ahead one hour and giving us a wink and a nod that spring is on its heels the following weekend (March 20). Can you feel the change occurring in the natural world surrounding us? How does this change in season and the arrival of spring affect you (physically, emotionally, mentally)? Around here I've had such cabin fever that I've been re-upping my outdoor walks now that it's not snowy and frigid outside. I am using my juicer more often to make fresh vegetable/fruit juice for my family. After falling into a winter trap of baking and eating too many carbohydrate-rich foods, I've re-organized all of my recipe files into easy to reference categories, and have been able to begin more well-planned, healthier meals. Our family is trying to adopt a healthy eating schedule, and I'm feeling determined to provide daily soup or a very light, warm meal for dinner this spring until the hot weather arrives. I have noticed that eating my bigger meals earlier in the day and having soup for dinner agrees with my body's energy more than having a heavy dinner at night. Some of my friends have participated in fasting or other diet cleanses this past month. My understanding about fasts is that in a colder climate (like here in NY), it is more agreeable to the body if a fast is done in warmer weather, when there are less immunity demands on the body trying to maintain a warm body temperature. Still others find that a dietary cleanse or a fasting cleanse is a great way to align with the incoming energies of springtime. Either way, drinking plenty of room temperature or slightly warm water is another great way to keep the body clean and to help move energies, support digestion, and flush toxins. I hope that however you observe the arrival of spring, that it is in alignment with your well-being and your love of life in every way. This spring, I will continue to offer WEEKEND WORKSHOPS for Tiny Yoga - perfect for working families or people who are not available during weekdays. The spring Tiny Yoga workshops will be held on Sunday, March 28, and Saturday, April 17. These workshops have 2 sessions each: one for non-walking babies and the adults who love them, and one for toddlers and the adults who love them. Come on out and play with us! HOLISTIC PREGNANCY WORKSHOPS: The holistic pregnancy workshops that I'm facilitating along with Erica Chase-Salerno of Wyld Acres has experienced a beautiful gestation and rebirth into a series that we lovingly offer to you: Illuminated Birth, Empowered Birth, and Transcendent Birth. These are truly unique sessions designed to help you delve deeply within yourself, discovering aspects about yourself that are most beautifully available to you at this special time. These sessions include meditation, discussion, prenatal communication, facilitated energy work, and yoga. To read the detailed descriptions of these afternoon events, you can visit the Centered Birth, LLC website at www.centeryourbirth.com. Through the Centered Birth site you can also register for these sessions. Expectant parents may also find an entire spectrum of amazing pre- and postnatal services ranging from labor and birth preparation, breastfeeding, nutrition, massage, and more. SPRING 2010 PRENATAL YOGA: Prenatal Yoga continues on Friday evenings! I've been teaching this class for over six years now, and have known over 130 babies born whose mothers have attended prenatal yoga classes with me at The Yoga Way. I also teach regular classes at The Yoga Way during weeknights and weekends. www.yogaway.info for more information about the amazing studio where I am an instructor, and a student as well (always a student!). Prenatal Yoga is suitable for all stages of pregnancy as well as postpartum! This class is a nice way to gently return to your yoga practice or physical activities post-baby. Plus, it is also a fabulous way to schedule an hour of quiet connection time for yourself to recharge and rebalance. Spring Prenatal Yoga Dates: March 5, 12, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 30 May 7, 14, 28 WHERE: The Yoga Way, 2 Commerce Court suite #3 (Rt. 376) Wappingers Falls, NY COST: 4-class pass: $66 6-class pass: $95 8-class pass: $120 Drop-in fee $18. The 4, 6, and 8-class passes are a new addition to 2010! You may use these passes for up to 3 months from date of purchase. NEW IN 2010! Blue Moon Vibrational Essences I'm so excited to offer Dragonfly Holistic's Blue Moon Vibrational Essences. The Blue Moon Vibrational Essences are handcrafted by me, and are also charged with vibrational energies of Reiki and Integrated Energy TherapyŽ's violet ray. Dragonfly Holistic's Blue Moon Vibrational Essences have 10 specific blends made for the year 2010. Custom blends are also available. Please inquire about having your own custom essence made! 3-7-10