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?

Happy Friday!
(Part 1 of 3 – Re Opening)

We’ve had a few fun glitches this week. Some supplies haven’t arrived yet. Our Facebook Live feed dropped mid class twice leaving y’all in an extraordinarily long pigeon. I left the ladder in the studio for one of the classes and then I got 3 hours of sleep last night. That’s a huge glitch.

It happens. Every few weeks or so I have a few sleepless nights. It’s a weird world right now, right? But when that happens… I write . . . and some of my best ideas come from that writing! Some of my best Haikus! ; )

So I did a lot of writing last night, ‘splaining some of our new adjustments for you. Which means YOU have a lot of emails coming your way! LOL.

First one is about Socks, Props and Cash.

Third one is about your contact info and the Online Video Library. 

So if any of these things interest you, be on the lookout over the next few days. And then back to our regularly scheduled programming.

SOCKS: We’re asking that once you enter the studio, that you please remove your shoes and wear your socks until you get to your mat. We don’t have an entryway anymore, so you’ll be entering the studio right on to our precious floors. Plus socks offer us all protection, kind of like a condom for yoga feet. And if you happen to forget yours… WE’VE GOT SOME! (socks, that is. Brand new, never before worn, socks) ; )

I have to be really creative to get you all to open these emails!

PROPS: We aren’t allowed to provide props or cleaning supplies for your props. You are welcome to bring them and then take them with you. Including your mat. If you don’t yet have a mat, we just got brand new beginner, travel and harmony mats. ($37, $67 and $85).

** And remember! Full Memberships come with a MAT or a TEE!

CASH. We’re trying not to handle much cash for the forseeable future – you know it’s almost as germy as your cell phone right??  So that means you gotta pay online or with a check. (who still does that? I know, I know… who you are ; )  (and I Thank you!).  For most of you this isn’t new. But for those that come to the 5$ cash only Tuesday and Friday night, we’ll have class packages you can purchase online ahead of time.

That’s it for now! Back later with our modified schedule and pricing and then we’ll start getting you signed up for classes!

Still shooting for June 5th as our Re Open Date. 

” Roots grow strong with deeper Connections”

BACK TO OUR ROOTS!

Four minute video message below on the State of the Studio.

We’re going Back to our Roots with our space, our practice and our philosophy!

Let me preface this with one HUGE CAVEAT: 

We will adjust as we go. Please understand, we will not open if it’s not safe and sound. We are preparing for both best case scenario and worst while following all the guidelines and requirements for your safety as well as ours.

And if things change, so will we. 

I’ll send more specifics as we get closer and I’ll share the demolition pics along the way!

Check out our new Website with direct Links to get your Online Class Pass.
Online passes purchased in May come with a ‘One Month Studio Pass’!

https://youtu.be/nht_QeXUHnc

See, I wanted to work for myself. I was 22. Living in Seattle. So I got a job selling Rainbow Carpet cleaners. A $1500 RAINBOW vacuum with Eucalyptus oil – before oils were all the rage. It left the whole house smelling like a brand new bottle of Vick’s vapor rub. Clean!

Upon arriving at someone’s home to demonstrate (clean their carpet), I handed them their bonus gift: a set of steak knives. The first house I went to, I accidentally backed into their fence while trying to park. They didn’t buy.  But 3 days later was the real eye opener.

I was sent to a house about 8 miles out of town on a long dirt road. At 6pm. In the fall. Not quite dark, but eerie enough. I hesitantly approached the door of a battered modular home with the sound of guard dogs inside. (probably poodles). The large dude that opened the door had a bushy beard, a leather vest and a bright and shiny hook for a left hand. I politely handed him his bonus gift…. and then calmly walked back to my car to ‘get the Rainbow’ and instead, got in my car and drove away. I resigned that night. It was not for me. And I knew it before that night.

Why do I tell you this, other than it’s a good story of my naievete. It’s a good story about going with my gut.  It’s also a good example me trying new things and things not working out. He could have been a perfect gentlemen. He could have been a nightmare. I had a gut feeling it was neither and not worth the risk for me to be there alone at night.

But I also knew in my heart… the Eucalyptus Rainbow was not my future. After that I sold Discovery Toys, Advertising in animated maps, Pampered Chef, insurance, mortgages, siding and newspaper advertising.

I wanted to run a business. I still do.
I’m still going to. I’m not afraid or naieve.
I know what it takes and I have it.

And if you’re struggling with the current state of affairs….
I want you to remember one thing.

You have it too.

You have what it takes to go with your gut. You have what it takes to get through things. To create new things. Or to change things. Maybe what you currently have is falling apart and you can’t imagine how it’s going to work out? I felt like that for the first few weeks too and then I remembered the acorn’s fate.

So there you have it. Wise words from Suzanne during C19.
At first I was a little concerned that this email would sound pompous… boldly stating that I have what it takes. But the truth is I’ve spent most of my time in quarantine reading things that inspire me because I need it! I’m over here by myself talking to my tomato plants and reading biographies of survivors!  (Ernest Shackleton is now my hero!)

I know some people don’t want to feel pressured to ‘accomplish big things’ during quarantine. But I DO want to accomplish big things. And I’m proud of the way I keep myself inspired. We could be losing everything we’ve worked for the past 10 years at Love. I’ve applied and got zero funding. This is my only gig. So I know it’s scary and complicated for everyone.

That’s why I had to do inspiring things for myself. I planted a mini garden. I fixed my garage door. I learned to change a bike tire and then broke the chain. I Marie Kondo’d my house… again. I practice yoga and meditation every single day. I’ve mowed my lawn more times than I have in 10 years. Edged, weeded and pruned. I’ve walked 204 miles almost every day and improved my sleep considerably! (that was suppose to say 2-4 miles but when I saw the typo, I thought that was funnier).

Coincidentally, I also binge watched The Heart Doctor on AcornTV. ??

I also launched our online studio and became an audio/video expert with the help of our amazing teachers. We rearranged the studio and put most of our stuff in storage to make way for the new regulations for re-opening. (more on that later).

It’s not easy. But the alternative… scotch and oreos… doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried that technique before.

So I hope you do some things too. I hope nobody comes out of 8 weeks of quarantine and says, I drank a shit ton of vodka and made the most of my Netflix account. If you did, then you’re probably not reading my emails anyway but if you are… stop it!

STUDIO UPDATE:  We are re-opening. We are just waiting to hear from the state what our new regulations will be. We are getting prepared with what we know is probable and we will accomodate anything new. We are making the studio as clean, comfy and welcoming as we can so that you’ll feel safe and excited to reconnect with Love.

Stay tuned… we have more on the horizon for later this week.

Here’s  a new video for you – a little clip of our latest online videos
and a
Guided Meditation to help with relaxation.

Much Love,
: )
Suzanne