Greetings, dear yoga community!
What a year it has been. Thanks to the tremendous dedication of our students and teachers, Stone Turtle Yoga is alive and well, and we are eager to share space with you again. With summer approaching, we are excited to tell you about some updates to the class schedule – including the addition of in-person classes – plus some other changes with the studio. Read on!
In-Person Classes Resuming June 1st
Hip, Hip, Hooray! We are SO excited to see you in person!! Starting June 1st, we will be offering an assortment of virtual-only classes, hybrid (virtual AND in-person) classes, and in-person-only classes. We will also be offering Beach Yoga at South Higgins Lake State Park starting later in June (official start date TBD). Click here to view the class schedule (remember to scroll forward to June 1st).
FYI for in person classes: Capacity in the studio will be limited to 15 people. Therefore, online pre-registration for classes is recommended (but not required). Pre-registration must be done online via MindBody (pre-registration is not available by phone or email). Masks are not required in the studio.
Update on Grayling Studio
I have some bittersweet news about our Grayling yoga offering! At this time, and for the foreseeable future, Stone Turtle Yoga will not be offering classes in Grayling. I know that this is bummer news to some of you – please know that it was a very difficult decision. As much as I have loved having the studio in Grayling and practicing with all of you wonderful Grayling yoginis and yogis, it has become too draining for me to manage it in the way it deserves to be managed. I say bittersweet because, while I will miss having a Stone Turtle Yoga presence in Grayling, the idea of refocusing my time and energy on Higgins Lake and on our virtual offerings feels good and right in my heart. I hope you understand, and know how grateful I am for you showing up and sharing space and practice in Grayling for so many years. PLEASE, Grayling folks, continue practicing with us virtually! And definitely consider joining us for classes in Higgins Lake as much as you can – it’s a beautiful space, not too far away (about 20 minutes), and there are some wonderful little restaurants very close by to the studio, which make great post-yoga meal stops!
Update on Teachers
Patty Clark will be leaving Stone Turtle when the new schedule starts on June 1st. Her final class will be Thursday, May 27th. My heart overflows with appreciation for the multitude of depth, wisdom, and experience that my dear friend Patty has brought to the Stone Turtle Yoga community the last few years. We wish her all the best! And, on a very joyful note, Lexi Bondar will be teaching a hybrid virtual/in-person class this summer! Lexi will start teaching Candlelight Slow Flow on Wednesdays at 7:00pm starting June 16th. Join us for this yummy class, featuring just enough movement to work out the kinks at the end of the day, and just enough held poses to feel deeply nourished. You won’t want savasana to end!
Final Reflection…
As we emerge back into sunlight, I am reflecting on change, and how this past year, and even the present, has presented us with so much opportunity to adapt and try to make the best of situations. Sometimes we adapt quickly and easily, sometimes with monumental struggle and effort. I believe the pandemic has allowed us more space and capacity for change, and perhaps even more comfort and ease with the unknown. Maybe best of all, the vast amount of time and space we’ve had during the past year has driven a deep look at what really matters in our lives; what we in our hearts find to be the most true and the most beautiful. This is golden wisdom, wisdom that is worth reorienting to and listening to frequently. I do not know what it will be like to come back together in person after so long apart. It is a change that I am excited for, and a little nervous about (will anyone come? will the speaker work?? where did I put all the props??!). I trust that re-opening will unfold as it is meant to, and despite the inevitable kinks to work out, my heart tells me that it will be profound and beautiful to be together again.
With much love and gratitude,
Mariah and the Stone Turtle crew
