Let's not rush anymore.

"Paying attention in community brings delight in the moment." - David George Haskell

Let's not rush anymore.

My dears:

I’ve been to Switzerland and back, and to COVID and back, and now, I’m finally feeling like myself again.

If there’s one thing this round of jet lag and corona have taught me, it’s that transitions take time. Nothing good comes from rushing. 

Despite my plans to return home and dive right back into work, it was clear that my body needed a moment. And now, as I return to my regular working life, I’m trying to remember this.

Transitions take time.
The body cannot be rushed.

Historically, I've been really good at overbooking myself, and making myself do more! But I’m really, really trying to chill.

I’m trying to rest before the point of exhaustion.

I’m practicing saying, “No, thank you,” when I don’t have the energy.

I’m trying not to panic when things take longer than I’d like.

I’m trying to notice the seasons.


I read an article yesterday that proposed, “sensory experience is about [paying] attention as much as it is about the physiology of our cells.” In other words, even if, say, our hearing isn’t the sharpest, we can hear more when we choose to pay attention.

And I don’t know about you, but I can only pay attention when I’m not rushed.

And it’s far easier to be un-rushed when I’m with people who aren’t rushing, either.

Let’s help each other chill.

Next Saturday, Sept 23, I’m offering my first ever outdoor Partner Yoga & Massage class. It’ll be a casual, fun, silly time, and you can bring any kind of partner you want: your significant other, your best friend, your mom… whoever you want to share the evening with! It’s in my friend Bari’s yard in NE Portland, and there will be shade aplenty, and I’m told the grass is even soft this time of year! I’d love to see you there.

Also, on Sundays, Oct 15 & Nov 5, I’m leading a 2-part series called Living in Alignment. It’ll combine asana alignment and practical philosophy, and I can’t wait! I’d love to see you for one or both days.

And before I sign off, I want to say that I’m so appreciative of everyone who replied to my last email, asking for feedback. In response, I’ll be hosting a few more in-person workshops and mini-series (see above!), and also one more thing I’m quite pumped about, that I’ll announce later this month... But for now, I’ll just say, thank you. Your requests for more community, more philosophy, and greater financial accessibility have been heard!

I’m delighted to be back stateside with my community and friends and students, and am very much looking forward to returning to teaching, face to face. In the meantime, I’m going to do my best to move a little slower, and to pay a little more attention to the things and people, right in front of me.

So much love,
Abby