So for those of you that don’t know, we’re a little engulfed in smoke from surrounding fires. Some of you are in evacuation prep zones and some have already evacuated. (yes, we’re saying it again… wtf2020?)

And In case you’ve been really out of the loop….

The past few months have been a bit of a roller coaster.  And you know I’m all about making molehills out of mountains… So yes, there’s been some disruption. Some shutdowns, school closures, politics, pandemics and now… wildfires.  I’m not even gonna capitalize those words for emphasis. You feel it.

We are all getting the FULL EARTH EXPERIENCE!

So I want to get my money’s worth and enjoy the ride. And when I step off this ride, I want to look back and think…. ‘TOTALLY WORTH IT!’.

So, here’s how this is gonna go over here at LOVE: 

1.  We are currently open as scheduled and plan to be open as long as it feels safe because we want you to have at least one clean, safe, breatheable place to go if you need it. Most of us live close by and the studio feels clean and clear thus far. If we cancel a class it will show up cancelled in the App and Mindbody and I will also post on social media.

2.  YOU have access to our MBO Online Video Library. We are continually uploading past and present classes.

There might be a few little glitches with our library that we don’t know about cause that’s already happened. But I’m over here walking the treadmill, reading the oldies and watching for any tech glitches that I can resolve.

We’re new to the App thing. We’re new to the wildfire thing but we are NOT new to the EMBRACING CHANGE AND FOCUSING ON THE PRESENT MOMENT. 

So I encourage you to practice with us.  Practice making molehills our of mountains when you can. Practice feeling calm, alert and ready to ride. Practice taking good care of yourself regardless of your circumstances or environment. Eat well, move a lot, connect with others … and yourself.

OKAY, I better pump the brakes while this is still counts as a brief update!

For anyone impacted by fires and smoke, the resources are up and listed all over Linn County, but if you need something or can’t find what you’re looking for… please call me.
I can help. This is my home turf and I know it well and I know people.

For anyone not impacted but feeling stuck at home, jump on in here and practice with us. Or jog in place, or do somersaults, paint the bathroom, Marie Kondo a closet. Please do NOT get sucked down the social media lashing out unless it’s something we can help with.

Much love and safety to all of you,
: )
Suzanne

A Decade of Love.

I graduated high school and moved out when I was 17. I moved to Santa Clara, California and got a job at Sizzler. I worked there for three days scooping sour cream into those little metal tins. It was disgusting.

But before I got that job I partied for three months like a native Californian.  (which coincidentally, I am. Born in South San Francisco)

So my future wasn’t super clear at this point and my 18th birthday was a blur. All I remember is that I asked my Mom for a bus ticket home… and got it. Happy birthday to me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Fast forward through brighter days, better jobs, a baby. It and many more birthdays… to TEN years ago this week. I got an early birthday surprise. In August 2010, I completed my yoga teacher training with the expectation that I might teach a couple classes a week where I was working. (Yay, me!). The manager, however, did not like those plans. (Boo, her : (.  They let me go … surprise!

And 9 days later we opened Love Yoga. (Yay, Us!)

I spent the first two days in a little bit of shock. But over the next seven days… I found a space where the landlord (Marc) took a chance on me. I outlined a schedule, made flyers and business cards. Ordered mats, set up utilities, hung up the sign and opened the doors. Another yoga teacher (Marcia) miraculously appeared in the coffee shop next door (Boccherini’s) and offered to teach.

And then some of YOU magically appeared. We held our official grand opening 10 days later … on my actual, 42nd birthday. Thanks, Mom 💚

Birthdays aren’t always what we hope they’ll be. The more of them I have though the more I realize what a gift it is to be a human being on this planet. I’m not saying it’s always a fun gift… but when your odds of becoming a human being over a walrus, a mosquito, a squirrel Or a cow… are rare… it seems like a pretty good gift.

These last nine birthdays though, Have been awesome! We’ve gathered at the studio to celebrate Love Yoga which yes, is an extension of me and my passion for healthy living, connections and feeling good. Feeling Happy, healthy, strong and brave.

We’ve celebrated over the years with Dutch Brothers, Ninkasi brewing, Jollymonz pizza, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Homegrown Oregon foods, No Dinx signature shirts, live music, hula hoops, tree pose challenges, cupcakes, little bonfires, Subaru Love and LoveStrong Hikes! And all our fabulous teachers past and present.

Some of you might remember Mara’s baked goods, Maggie’s Strala class, Laura’s Core kicker, Katie’s chakra bowl restorative, Sabrina’s power flow, Kelly and Anna’s yoga/massage classes, just to name a few.

Instead of a party this year, we’re getting an APP! A real, legit, Apple store App. It should be ready next week. I’ve been holding off writing because I wanted to have a big reveal! I wanted to I nclude all the links to our new schedule, new app, new T-shirts and some kind of plan for a 10 year anniversary celebration. For some reason the stars didn’t align for that just yet. And many of you have been asking what’s up…. so consider this a brief (😂) update.

As you may have noticed recently… We are all living in a bit of limbo. Some have called it a claustrophobic feeling. Some have compared it to Groundhog Day… The movie. LOL. Some are calling it the great pause, others are calling it a vacation and some are caught in a parental nightmare. Whatever this time means to you… It’s not advisable to gather for a big party right now.

So I’m in a bit of limbo also… I don’t have a grand anniversary plan. And I’m okay with that. My plans right now are focused on figuring out how to stay connected with you through our online offerings and keeping the studio open and safe.

I’m thinking we bump the party to a New Years celebration.

I am just so grateful for every single one of you. For each of the last 10 years. For each of these last nine birthdays. Here’s to the next TEN!  (Many of you have asked how it’s going here – that’s another email but for now I can say we are hesitant but definitely optimistic! 😉

I’ll try to write again sooner… Hopefully in a few days with all the links to the new app, the new T-shirts, the new schedules, and a new library of 20 and 30 minute classes. Plus new chakra workshops, a mini teacher training (message me directly for this) and more sound meditations!

We are upgrading and improving all the time… So if you have any special requests for online classes or studio classes now is a great time to let us know. We are totally open to suggestions and able to create pretty quickly to help keep us all connected, calm, encourages and practicing.

Hang in there….

Nobody ever said it would be easy…

They said it would be worth it.

Say Cheeeeese!  It works with Pleeeeease also.  It’s just a way of making you smile so you’ll feel better.  See how easy your mind is to manage??

So when you have your mask on… say cheese. Say please. Say please don’t cut the cheese.  But please DO pleasantly wear your mask at Love.  It’s the law.

Here’s our plan:

1. You need to wear a mask into the studio and anytime you are not on your mat. Once on your mat you may remove it.

2.  As long as we are social distancing, we can still practice together.

3. Teachers will wear masks up until the time class starts.

4. We’ll stay on our mats.

5. If you are exempt from wearing a mask due to a medical condition please message me directly for the protocol. In most cases at this time we will respectfully suggest that you practice with us online for even more self care and protection.

See? No big deal. Not much different than last week. It’s just a little extra protection on your path to bliss!

Think of it like a baseball hat, condoms, seatbelts or sunblock… Just a little extra protection. Perspective right? Speed bumps not road blocks. 💚💪🏼

We love you all for your patience, encouragement and cooperation and collaborations.

Really, Thank YOU.

Are you in the Summer state of mind yet?  Research shows that our minds crave novelty. While we do appreciate the security of a system or routine… Our minds are always searching for something new.  (Probably why the slinky was invented). Research also shows that we learn and grow with the most potential when there is a sense of urgency (like a time limit) and a specific focus. (Think Rubik’s cube or Boggle).

So if we want to head into a Summer with a new zest for life outside of quarantine and the ability to embrace the new changes we’ve been presented with… it makes sense that we start here. At Love.

Yoga fills our mind’s need for novelty because every experience, every class, every sound is different each time.  Well except for the garbage cans and the grate. Those are still here and as timely as ever.

It also gives us the opportunity to practice embracing change… learning new processes while focusing on small details for an hour or so. As a bonus, we also practice letting go of our expectations. Expectations for better balance, longer planks and a sense of normalcy from PQT. (pre quarantine times).  So I’m prepping for Summer.  I want a 1979, ice cream truck, koolaid popsicles, roller skating, slip n sliding, kind of state of mind.  What’s your Summer state of mind look like? Any favorites from the 70s? Adolescent years? I’m gonna get responses ranging from sock hops to power rangers, I’m sure!

I’ve only ever seen three people die.

My Grandma.
My Dad.
And George Floyd.

It quickly puts things into perspective. Things like Life. Family. Schedules. Masks. Friends. Haircuts. Yoga.

How lucky am I to have the luxury of worrying about the yoga schedule right now. I don’t feel lucky. I feel nauseous. And pissed. And sad.

See I was born in the middle. Middle child. Middle-class family. Middle of the state. Middle of the West Coast. Part Democrat part Republican. Part Buddhist Part Baptist. I can always see both sides of every situation. So It came natural to feel indecisive. Never wanting to upset anyone.

But watching the horror of George Floyd’s murder made everything instantly clear:

This world could be a safer place if we all decide to make it happen. We have to decide to make it happen.

Nelson Mandela said it before me ; )

… “It is in our hands to create a better world for ALL who live in it”.

He also said… “it always seems impossible, until it’s done”.

Today I find myself in the middle again. To reopen. To not open. To mask or not to mask. To go back to the way it was… or to change everything. But I’m more decisive now.

I will never presume to have all the answers. I will never assume I know how you feel.  And I will no longer imagine or pretend that the world I live in … works for everyone.

What I will do is keep practicing because it makes me calmer, stronger and braver. It gives me the clarity to make better decisions. And if you want a safe place to practice, to get out of your house, to get out of your head and into your heart…. I’ll be here creating that clean, open space.

Please remember two things:

1. Be KIND. Be extra kind if you come here. Things are different. We are all doing the best we can.
2. His name was George Floyd. Please remember his name. He didn’t have the choice to breathe. He didn’t get to decide. We can. We can sign the petition, donate money, support and follow the leaders in the communities that are fighting for their lives. I can decide to do more. #justiceforgeorge #blacklivesmatter #chooselove
   

   Sign the petitions, donate, share his story. https://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com/

George Floyd 1974 – 20202

My Dad 1960 and 2008

Grandma 1996-ish?