Making Space Within

Dear tLm Family,

While I was away and traveling with my husband for our 20th anniversary, I made the choice to stay close to my practice and continue doing the necessary work. Something amazing happens when we commit to our own well-being and actually carve out even just a little bit of time for our external as well as internal workouts. Our Spring Into Summer Challenge began last week, and I’m taking myself through the full 6-week program, along with the 42 members who said “yes” to showing up for themselves. Staying with my practice has never been more important to me than it is now, at this stage of my life. It has also become a priority for me to continue doing the deep inner work, part of which has been developing tools to be more present, establish healthy techniques for managing distractions, and release old patterns that no longer serve me.

In this week’s tLm Tuesday News is an invitation to apply gentle leadership in your own inner world. In past newsletters, I’ve shared my thoughts about the power of ‘the pause’ and the benefits of slowing down. This week I’m focusing on ‘the inner pause.’ At what it looks like and how it feels to shed what’s emotionally and mentally not ours to hold on to. To make conscious decisions that re-center ourselves and to put down all the heavy things we tend to carry that don’t belong to us. With a routine that includes regular reflection and self-trust, our barre workouts can become a conversation with our body and even our subconscious, and can help expand our ongoing objective of turning inward for our answers. Something we often forget to do. I believe we have everything we need. We just need to look ‘inward’ to find it.

When we slow down and listen to our body’s wisdom, what’s revealed is how much power awaits us there. When we can intentionally quiet the mental chatter, truly listen, and make space for ourselves, going inward becomes a way home. Sometimes, the silence that accompanies listening can be our biggest teacher.

If you’ve had a chance to read any of my recent newsletters, then you know I’ve been discussing Yung Pueblo’s work, specifically, “The Way Forward.” It’s the third book in his trilogy. The first that appears in the collection is called “Inward”. I've been inspired by his lessons and continue to get so much out of his words. I love how he speaks to what happens when we pause the noise, soften our grip, and meet ourselves with honesty and kindness. In book one (Inward) Yung says this about power;

“True power is living the realization that you are your own healer, hero, and leader.”

We really do have everything we need inside us. The answers and the power to heal and lead.

With every tilt, every stretch, every pose, every hold, and every tiny movement that wakes our bodies up, we’re not just training our muscles; we’re connecting to our highest self. I know that might sound corny to some, but it’s true. When we care for our physical selves, we are establishing an inner trust on the deepest, truest level. We’re choosing to stay connected. We’re learning the difference between pushing and listening.

theORIGINAL is a practice of strength, but it is also a practice of stillness, of showing up for yourself, even when it’s quiet and especially when no one is watching or listening. Some things need to be just for you, because it's best for you, your mind, your heart, your nervous system, your body, and your soul. Not everything needs to be content or performative. That’s exhausting and it takes a toll, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Some things, maybe even the best things, happen when it’s quiet, when we do them simply because they are good for us. Making space within and committing to the practice of going inward begins with a hush, not a shout.

I hope you'll take moments just for you, to check in on what you’re feeling, how you’re breathing, what you’re loving, how you’re moving, what you’re thinking, what you’re releasing, and where you’re expanding.

Keep coming home to yourself. I’ll be right here, doing the same things. We can talk about it if you’d like. Reach out anytime.

With love,

Kelly