Losses, big and small, happen every day of our lives. Whether it’s the loss of youth, good health and former capabilities, the loss of a job, a house, a spouse (through divorce or death), the loss of innocence, faith and trust (possibly incurred through trauma), or the loss of a treasured ring given by a beloved relative, to be alive and to love means we must make peace with loss.

We recognize that this is a natural part of life, but infrequently give ourselves permission to mourn the losses. Some people feign indifference, others bury the pain beneath never-ending to-do lists, while others simply disconnect emotionally, staying on the surface and going through the proverbial motions of life, avoiding intimacy and feeling alone. By not facing and feeling our grief, we find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with other’s grief. And when really big losses occur, as they inevitably will, all of the unprocessed grief may surface in an overwhelming wave of sadness, anger, guilt and anxiety.

This once-a-month workshop offers a sacred opportunity to acknowledge and accept our grief: to feel it, forgive and release, moment by moment. Using breathing techniques, yin yoga, easily-accessible active yoga poses, meditation and visualization, this class will give you the chance to befriend your grief,allowing it to move and transform. You will learn techniques that you can practice on your own, empowering you to face loss with a clear mind and an open heart.

There will be some opportunity to voluntarily share within a sacred container of confidentiality, and participants are invited to bring something that represents their loss to place on the altar. Grief can produce such feelings of isolation; recognizing others’ pain and difficulties creates camaraderie and community and is an antidote to such loneliness.

Wake Up Yoga South
4th Mondays, 7:30 – 9:30pm:
September 28th * October 26th * November 23rd * December 14th
Tuition: $30; $25 if registered by September 14th (for the 9/28 class)