As we move toward the Autumnal Equinox in September, we enter the dark half of the year. You may notice the impact of this transition by waking up in darkness and squeezing in outdoor activities at the end of the day as darkness encroaches. This is the natural cycle of our physical environment. If we were in tune with this cycle, we would feel OK with reducing productivity to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate. However, through technological “progress,” we have managed to control our environments to optimize production year-round. This creates tension between what the animal being of our bodies is perceiving and what our culture tells us we need to do to survive (the work ethic). Notice this as resistance to the encroaching darkness. Yet, every day we need to sleep in darkness. We need darkness.

How can we bridge this “split” between living in our culture and the natural world? First, acknowledge that it exists and accept your resistance. It is time to embrace the yin half of the yearly cycle; receptivity, coolness, darkness, and quietness. Consider attending a yin class as well as incorporating these qualities into the rest of your activities as best you can. Surrender to the natural flow of expansion and contraction, the inhale and the exhale, the darkness and the light.

September updates:

• New early-morning class (5:30 a.m. on Wednesdays). Those of you who are early risers and would like to enjoy a yoga practice before work will have an opportunity to do so beginning on Wednesday, September 9, when Chie launches 4yoga’s first 5:30 a.m. class! We have added this class by special request, and we appreciate Chie’s willingness to teach it. Because of the early hour, we will be using the back door for access to the building: you may wish to park in the city parking lot behind the square and walk to the rear door (look for the blue building). Press the button to buzz the intercom into the studio, and Chie will let you in.
• Labor Day mixed-level class at 9 a.m. Chie will also be teaching this month’s holiday class, on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day), at 9 a.m. Please join us for a mixed-level practice suitable for all.
• Talk/meditation session. Juanita continues to offer this special session in September, and it will take place on Friday, September 18, at 6:45 p.m. As always, there is no charge for this session, which provides a way to learn about and discuss meditation and experience a short meditation.
• Friday Gentle class. For the fall WKU semester, Angie will consistently teach the Friday 9:30 a.m. Gentle class while other instructors rotate teaching the Thursday 9:30 a.m. Gentle class. Kathie continues to offer the Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Gentle class, providing three opportunities for a morning Gentle practice each week.
• 4yoga’s 4th anniversary. We are happy to announce that 4yoga will mark its 4th anniversary on Sunday, September 27! Although no official celebration is planned at this time, you can informally celebrate by attending any of that Sunday’s classes (9 a.m. Basics with Carly, 4 p.m. Basics with Chie, and 5:45 p.m. Restorative with Susan P.). We look forward to continuing to serve our community by providing accessible and affordable yoga classes to Bowling Green.

For a full list of September classes, please see the calendar page or a hard copy available at The Pots Place.

Teacher introduction: We are pleased to welcome one new teacher more regularly in September, Susan Webb. Susan began a regular yoga practice at the Yoga Center in Bowling Green in 2000 and discovered that yoga provided a rich introduction into body awareness and body-mind connections. She finished her RYT 200-hour program with Don’t Worry Be Happy Yoga in Spring 2015 and enjoys sharing what has been such a positive practice in her life with others. Having recently retired from teaching art at the elementary school and college level, Susan appreciates having a new area of teaching to explore. Come join Susan for some of the Thursday 4 p.m. Basics classes this month.

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.