With This Body

Writing as a path to embodiment.

“The world is saturated with art… what a gift. What a gift to add more art.”- Cody Cook-Parrot

I’m writing this because I am at a transition point.

I’m writing this because I cannot put it off any more.

For the past 8 years, I have been teaching yoga, full time.

Before that, I was a high school English teacher. For one year.

Before that, I was in grad school to become a high school English teacher.

Before that, I worked at a tiny private school - the same one I graduated from - in their development office. And before that, I was a fresh college graduate, volunteering with AmeriCorps.

But it’s the before that that I’ve become most interested in. Because before that - and by “that” I mean, the time I thought I became an adult - I was a writer, an actor, and an artist.

I was a young lady with big feelings, a young lady whose father had just died, whose spine had just been fused, whose farm she grew up on was about to be sold. Before that, I was a girl who loved writing and painting and singing and dancing and storytelling; I was a kid who didn’t give a shit about people’s approval, a kid who just wanted to play and create and explore and connect and feel loved.

I want to hang out with that kid again. I want to tell that kid, “Hey, just FYI, the world is going to throw a lot of shit at you, and your heart will break so many times in ways you didn’t think it could, but even in those times - no, especially during those times - you must keep creating. Not because I’m telling you that you ‘should,’ and not because you need to ‘produce’ to be of value, but because your heart needs to create. Because writing and painting and singing and dancing and storytelling are what keep you connected, what keep you curious, what keep you feeling loved and alive.”

And so, here I am, at 38, trying to bring a little bit of that Big Kid Energy back into my life.

And, incidentally, here I am, at 38, trying to get pregnant and bring a real, live kid into my family.

Here I am, sharing the parts of me that I have continually set aside in interest of doing something “more professional and productive.” Even though I can’t actually think of anything more productive than art.

My intention, here on Substack, is to share at least one piece of writing each week, and the creative prompt that inspired it. Some pieces will be essays, some may be poems, some might even lean toward monologues - only time will tell. The only promise I’ll make is that whatever it is, it will be from the heart.

And, because I love a theme, for the next several weeks, the theme is thus:

• Choose one part of your body (hands, spine, belly, nose, armpit, butt, fingerprint, earlobe…) and write or create something inspired by that part. It can be a poem, an essay, a song - even a painting or a dance! Whatever the creation, let it be an exploration of your own body, and all the bodies you have been influenced by: parents, ancestors, friends, enemies, doctors, teachers, therapists, pets…

This week’s prompt is: HANDS.

I’ll be back next week to share my written piece on hands. If you feel moved to write, paint, sew, dance, or sing about hands about too, I’d love to hear your experience (or even see what you created, if you’re feeling so bold)! Feel free to email me, or to post a reply below.

Y’all, I am so delighted to begin this journey, and even more delighted that you are here, reading this, holding me accountable (whether you know it or not!). Transitions are hard. But I think I’m learning that even hard transitions are way easier than ignoring that inner voice that says, “Hey! It’s time for a transition!”

So, little voice, little kid, little Abby, I hear you. Let’s do this, together.

So much love,
Abby
Writer, Teacher, Actor, Artist

A note to my longtime readers (and anyone else who cares):

If you’ve been subscribing to my newsletters for a while, I know this is a shift from what you’re used to, and you may have questions about what all this means for you. So, to anyone who signed up for my more explicitly-yoga-related enewsletter/ Abby with the Rods, here are a few things to note:

1. Even though I’ll be writing weekly, your default will be to receive free monthly emails (because that’s what you originally signed on for). If you want to become a weekly reader, great! You can take check out your options here.

2. When applicable, I will mention any upcoming workshops, retreats, or special events I’m hosting at the bottom of my post, so you’ll still be kept in the loop (keep scrolling for today’s!). The workshops/ retreats/ events just won’t be the focus of my writing. (Unless of course, I really feel like writing about them that day!

3. If you’re wondering to yourself, “Is Abby slowly stepping away from teaching yoga? What’s this ‘transition point’ she speaks of?” The answer is, sort of. I am taking this next year to spend less energy teaching and more energy writing. I am not ceasing all teaching, but I will be adjusting my teaching schedule over the coming months in order to better support my writing. One of these adjustments starts on Fri, Jan 5 at 7:15am (PT) with my new Friday Community Practice: a weekly, live-streamed yoga & movement class that will include an option for journaling! The practice is open to anyone, and Abby with the Rods Subscribers get in free as part of their membership. Classes will also be recorded and stored on my Subscriber Video Library, for anyone who cannot attend live.

If you have other questions, feel free to email me, or join the Substack party and post below! :)

Winter Events w/ Abby

• Winter Solstice Practice // Thurs, Dec 21, 6-8pm

• New Year’s Day Practice // Mon, Jan 1, 1-3pm

• Yoga for Beginners // Thursdays, Jan 4-25, 6-7:30pm

• Mexico Retreat // Feb 24-Mar 2

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