Spring Musings [Camping in Big Sur] and Winter Reflections
Happy Spring! The alignment of a new month and new moon on April 1 brought us an opportunity to begin again with the bloom of spring. We awaken from our slumber, the comforts of winter, and begin to stretch into the growth awaiting us.
I took some time off and unplugged, which I didn’t realize was the greatest medicine that I needed. I hadn’t been camping in years, and at the last second was a bit wary of what it would be like to sleep in a tent and be away from civilization. There was no service, wifi, or the usual screen time. Since 2020, I have been very much plugged in and dependent on my devices. I’m so grateful to be able to teach and share online, and it has changed my life. But despite all the wonderful things about technology and connection, leaving it all behind for several days was so healing, freeing, and amazing, that I cannot wait until the next time that I can do it again.
My friends and I spent several days camping in Big Sur, California a few days before and after the spring equinox. We went hiking, we had conversations and meals around a campfire, we stargazed, we slept on the earth, underneath the trees. Returning to the earth, wilderness, nature: breathing and feeling so alive, was magical.
I’m looking forward to all that the spring season may bring. We’re moving towards more growth, expansion, warmth, and abundance of life around us. Looking back on this past winter, however, I’ve noticed that I actually enjoyed the winter season more so than in the past. I made paper at Penland’s Winter Residency, swam in crystal clear waters in the Caribbean, cut my hair short for the first time since I was a child, and went skiing for the first time since I was young. Most importantly, I’ve incorporated my yoga and meditation practice more deeply into my daily life. In this way, I have been able to find gratitude for what the winter season has to offer, the joys of slowing down, risking change to pave way for growth.
This month, we’ll work on grounding into our roots to bloom through balanced practices that incorporate fiery energy with stability and ease. With so much airiness and sometimes quite rapid change, we will continue to nourish our roots in order to flourish into our most aligned selves.
Sending you love,
Catherine
