I love New York. Which was a bit of a surprise to me when my mom (Dawn) and I visited the city for the first time this past June. I don’t have much experience with big cities so was kind of worried about the trip. I certainly had no idea that the 5 days I spent in New York would be as inspiring and life changing as the 30 days I spent in Bali last winter. Every interaction was meaningful. Every meal was delicious, healthy and nourishing. I took the subway alone and didn’t get lost. Somehow, we were divinely led to see Marianne Williamson speak live. From the front row. We even got to speak with her afterwards. And – wait for it – she “liked” my Instagram post about the evening when I posted it later that evening. Well, okay – it was likely her social media person who liked it and not Marianne herself. But still.
Mom and I had a few reasons for our trip to New York. I was teaching a Yoga for Recovery class with Elena Brower and Jenny Aurthur (from Jenny Aurthur Yoga) and also had a meeting set with Elena to discuss our mutual passion for holistic recovery (doTERRA essential oils, in particular – more about than in a future post). We were also there to check out the venue for next May’s She Recovers in NYC event. We had a pretty full schedule but still found time to check out Chelsea Market, Union Square, the 9/11 Memorial, and Kula Yoga, Tribeca.
Just typing (or speaking) the words teaching with Elena Brower still feels surreal. When I started teaching in 2007, I set two intentions. I knew for sure that that I wanted to focus on developing a unique Yoga for Recovery “style” of teaching. And I thought that it would be cool to travel to teach. My vision board in those days was plastered with travel pics for all of the places I wanted to visit. New York didn’t make the board, but Bali did and so did the white sandy beaches of Mexico.
Much of the board was devoted to pictures and the words of the yoga instructor rock stars who I most looked up to such as Elena Brower, Kathryn Budig, and Seane Corn. All three appeared to travel often to teach, which was just added inspiration for me.
Who knew, that in obsessively gluing magazine pics to a piece of cardboard that I would actually manifest the opportunity to co-facilitate a class with one of those yoga idols (and her good friend, Jenny Aurthur). Who knew (nobody, really) that by the time I met and worked with her, that Elena would also be in recovery.
Life is strange and beautiful. Don’t you think?
And guess what? I loved NYC – and Elena – so much that I’m headed back to teach another Yoga for Recovery class with Elena. We will be back at ABC Carpet on Saturday, October 8 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. You can register on Elena’s website here. Let us know you will be there on the Facebook event page that we set up here.
Pinching myself – every day.
East Coasters – would love to see you in class!
Also – check out Elena’s Art of Attention Meditation Course – new and revised!
And of course – if you haven’t already – consider joining us next May for She Recovers in NYC. Elena and I will be there along with Marianne Williamson, Glennon Doyle Melton, Elizabeth Vargas, Gabby Bernstein, and about 500 strong and courageous women in recovery.
Life is good. Be good to yourself too.
Love
Taryn
