We have just celebrated New Year’s Eve, the point that we have chosen to mark a full cycle of earth’s orbit around the sun. A common tradition—and one you may have experienced—is to pause for a moment on December 31 to look back at the events of our lives and to set intentions for the new year before we begin yet another lap around our life-giving sun. It is often amazing to remember yourself one year ago at this time and compare that version of yourself to where you are now. Sometimes we cannot imagine moving from “there” to “here.”  How did it happen?  From the view that we are co-creators of our lives, being as clear as we can with our intentions is the first step.  

This passage by W.H. Murray, a Scottish mountaineer and writer, is an inspiring affirmation that we have the potential to be powerful co-creators of our lives.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.  A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.  I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

—From Thomas F. Horbein’s Everest: The West Ridge

January updates and special events: 

• New Year’s Day class with Debbie, followed by potluck brunch.  Start 2019 on your mat!  Join Debbie for a 10 a.m. Mixed-level practice, followed by a casual potluck brunch.  We will provide table service and a selection of beverages.  Bring your favorite brunch item to share and ring in the new year with fellow yogis and yoginis.
• Welcome Emily Harlan.  Emily was introduced to yoga through her father, a Methodist minister, as a teenager.  She enjoys creating challenging flow classes that focus on the core and the breath.  She lives in Bowling Green with her husband and daughter, a three-year old who does an impressive three-legged downward dog pose. 
• New Sunday 2 p.m. rotating classes.  We have added a new class on Sundays at 2 p.m.  Each month, this class will rotate through different styles of yoga with different teachers.  In January, we are highlighting styles of classes that are already offered at 4yoga (Restorative, Gentle, and Yin); in future months, we expect to offer new styles as well.  If you’ve ever been curious about a class but not been able to attend it at its usual time, please join us on Sunday afternoons!  
• Book Club (Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul).  Our semi-quarterly book club kicks off 2019 with a meeting on Sun., Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m.  Tori will facilitate our discussion of The Untethered Soul, which is available at the Warren County Public Library as both a digital and a physical book.  Please bring a vegetarian snack to share as we gather in the lounge, and don’t hesitate to join us even if you do not complete the book.
• Yoga and Meditation opportunities at The Downing Museum.Whether you are a regular for the @the Museum classes or have been curious about practicing yoga or meditation in this special environment, please click on the following links to register to reserve your space for one of January’s classes:  Yoga@the Museum will be taught by Shigeko and take place on Sat., Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m.; Meditation@the Museum will be led by Alice and will take place on Sat., Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m.  Because space is limited, registration is required for both of these classes.
• Introduction to Yoga class with Debbie.  This 90-minute introductory class is already full; however, if you would like to be added to the wait list and to receive advance notice of possible future introductory classes, please send an email to Angie at this account (4yoga.me@gmail.com).  Include your first and last names and the best email address at which to reach you.

For a full list of January classes, please see the attached schedule or the calendar page on our website—or pick up a hard copy at The Pots Place.  We also post the day’s class(es) each morning on our Facebook page, should you find it convenient to keep up with us there.  

Inclement weather policy:  during inclement weather, we decide whether or not to cancel classes independently of area school districts’ decisions.  If we do cancel a class, we publicize that information at least one hour before it begins, and we announce it in these three ways:

• an update to the online schedule of classes
  
• an email to all members of our list
  
• a status update on our Facebook page