August brings us to the hot sultry days of summer and the anticipation of school starting up again. Change. Amping up. There is always an emotional response to change, especially when it is a change that directly impacts our lives. Resistance often comes first, then perhaps enthusiasm or fear. An understanding of the power and purpose of our emotions as explained by the yoga teachings is worth contemplating.

Swami Rama, an adept from the Himalayan Masters tradition of yoga, explains that emotion, or bhava, is a powerful force that is a source of knowledge for us. The stream of bhava is like a river in a flood: “It rushes like a beloved running toward her lover who does not care about obstacles and is not afraid of being caught or trapped. In the stream of bhava, one does not have an enjoyable experience of the path, for he is suddenly transported. He reaches the summit without the experience of the path” (Perennial Paychology of the Bhagavad Gita).

If we can manage to not be overwhelmed by our emotions, we can heed their guidance to raise our consciousness to a higher dimension and to embrace the change we need to make. That is the trick, staying calm while riding the raging river. Our yoga practice of focusing on the breath and body ground us in the present moment, providing respite from fast-forwarding into the future out of fear. Make time and space for yourself to practice and listen to the wisdom of emotion.

August updates:

• All class types and times remain the same.
• Welcome back to Kathie Downs, who will return to the 9:30 a.m. Gentle class on Tuesdays and some Fridays.
• Welcome back to Alice Simpson, who will teach the 4 p.m. Basics class on Thursday, August 27.
• Ongoing thanks to Juanita Rodriguez, who will offer this month’s informal talk and meditation session on Friday, August 14, immediately following the Yin class. Whether you have been curious about meditation or already have a meditation practice and would like to discuss meditation with others, please join Juanita for this session.

For a full list of August classes, please see the online calendar or pick up a hard copy (available at The Pots Place, 428 East Main Street—on Fountain Square in downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky).

Accessing studio after class has begun: Remember that even if you are running late when the gallery downstairs is closed, you can still join us for class. If the front door is locked, come to the back door of The Pots Place (look for the blue building) and ring the buzzer. The teacher will then unlock the door remotely for you to enter through the pottery studio.