“Do you want to wipe your own a** when you’re in the nursing home?”
A memorable line to hear within the first 5 minutes of meeting someone, but it’s one I indeed did hear recently.
See, I asked the wife of the original state trooper in the state of Indiana what prompted her to start practicing yoga weekly 10 years ago, and that was her response…
Well, sort of.
She said she never really liked exercise, but “the commander” does and he looked at her one day and asked her that question.
She said she did, and he told her she’d better do something different then.
So she did.
And hasn’t looked back since.
Yoga was life changing for her.
She just retired from 40 years in public education and is ready to step into her next era confident in her mobility.
As you may have guessed, lack of mobility is one of THE most common reasons people think they need yoga (and yet at the same time why boatloads stay away from yoga… more on that another time).
But when they show up for the practice, it’s actually all about a transition they’re consciously or unconsciously anticipating in life or have recently gone through.
They think they need to be able to move better (and who am I kidding, they likely do), but ultimately, they find themselves in the midst of life stress that they just want to feel lighter.
And guess what Reader… yoga does that.
The goal of yoga is to change wrong perception. And since all life is perception, experiencing the chaos that life has generously bestowed upon you is up to you to decide how you want to see it… and then move through it.
But it takes practice to experience stress in a different way.
Yoga and breath work not only redirect your attention, but also soothe your nervous system in the process, reminding you that you’re safe even when your body processes change as danger.
It takes choosing to want to take care of yourself so that that trip to the nursing home stays as far away from you as possible, and perhaps you can indeed wipe your own a** until the day you die.
But that’s up to you to decide.
I know I’m going to keep practicing because I do indeed want to take care of my own business as long as I can.
And if you do too, maybe you might consider trying one of our classes out. Healing work like yoga is so much more powerful in a community of others doing the same sort of work on themselves.
Plus we get to laugh about stories like this when they roll in😄.
If you don’t know where to start, reply back to this email… I’ll get you moving in the right direction.
Cheers,
Cathy
P.S. You can grab our most recent schedule of classes below or here.
P.P.S. If it’s a 💵💸 thing that’s holding you back, know that I won’t turn anyone away from class due to finances. Reach out — we’ll talk and find an energetic exchange that feels aligned, so you can keep moving and I can keep offering this work in a way that’s sustainable for my family and me.
Transitions are easy for me; I move through transitions easily and effortlessly.
WANT TO JOIN US FOR CLASS OR WORK WITH ME?
Register for studio classes here.
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Studio Classes:
THURSDAY, AUG 7 – The Weekly Breath Reset
8:30 AM • 30-minute virtual breath work
Harness the power of your breath to start your day with a focused, energized calm.
SATURDAY, AUG 9 – Yoga on the Lawn
9:00 AM • All levels welcome
Join us outdoors to start your summer weekends with intention… even when life is full.
Class Location: 112 1/2 E. Robinson St., Knoxville
MONDAY, AUG 11 – Yin/Restorative Yoga
5:30 PM • All levels welcome
A restorative class with longer held postures & mindful breathing to build stress resiliency & bring balance to your fast-paced life.
WEDNESDAY, AUG 13 – Yoga + Breath Work
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome
Active, flow-based practice based on Sun + Moon Salutations. Intentional breath work practices included.
THURSDAY, AUG 14 – The Weekly Breath Reset
8:30 AM • 30-minute virtual breath work
Harness the power of your breath to start your day with a focused, energized calm.
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Special Events:
SATURDAY, SEP 20 – Harvest Rhythms Retreat
Autumn reflects finishing up, harvesting what you’ve worked towards, letting go to make space for the new, & celebrating. This is the time to remember and align with these qualities in your own life.
FRIDAY, DEC 19 – Winter Solstice Candlelight Yoga
The Winter Solstice marks the end of one seasonal cycle & the start of another. Cozy up and finish your year with ease and begin the new with intention.
Group & Individual Sessions:
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE – Personalized Group Stress Resilience Training
TBD • At your location or at the studio
In these sessions I guide groups through practical, embodied practices—like breath work, mindfulness, gentle movement, and/or emotional awareness—to build stress resilience. Each session offers simple, effective tools to help participants reset, regulate, and respond with greater calm and clarity in everyday life.
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Podcast Episode: Health Harmony and Happiness with Cathy
#16: Transitioning Through Seasons of Life
Want to dig into transitions? I’ve done quite a few podcast episodes about transitions, and is just one of those episodes. Check it out below!
Transitions get you from one thing to another, and naturally they may feel clunky, especially in the beginning. They are asking you to do something different than what your body and mind are comfortable doing.
From the time you are born until the time that you die you are faced with transitions of every kind in life. There’s really no escaping them. They can be simple transitions like waking in the morning or more complex, like retiring from a 30+ year career. They all correspond to the rhythms of life, yet they aren’t always fun or easy.
It’s often those more complex transitions that we want to rush through to just hurry up and get to the other side because we know they are going to be tricky, but those are likely the ones you learn the most from; and that’s what today’s episode is all about.
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