The smell of a book excites me. Okay, okay...I use an e-reader but actual books really do excite me! My sister-in-law and her family live in Syracuse. A Barnes and Noble is within a couple miles of her house. My happiness factor raises before I even walk in the door. When I head to Lake Placid, The Bookstore Plus pulls me in every time.
Even though an e-reader is my literary ingestion of choice (and throw in some audiobooks) there are certain books that I prefer a hard copy. Anything I may want to reference in a yoga class is at the top of that list like poetry or essays. I also like to have hard copies of books that I feel i may want to take a look at on the shelf to remind me how magical they were.
I’ve recently been asked to join a book discussion of Susanna Barkataki’s Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice by another dear yoga teacher that I have a great deal of respect for. It‘s an full and thought-provoking read for anyone that practices. I’ve found it especially helpful as a white teacher. Let’s just say I recognize I have some work to do.
One of the ways I feel that I can honor the roots of yoga is taking the practice away from the mat. The physical practice of yoga is just one of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. Reading books that encourage us to breathe better, look within, raise awareness, cultivate compassion, and ultimately unify us is just as much yoga as coming to a class to practice the physical forms.
I hope you’ll consider joining us for our inaugural session of the Unity Book Cub to dig a little deeper into your own awareness. Because that is yoga.
Check out the basic information for the virtual meetings below.
Meetings will be held via Zoom to allow location to not be an issue. Join us from anywhere you are!
The cost will be only $5. This helps support me as a teacher and Massena Yoga Studio.
Meetings will be one evening a month at 7:00 pm EST.
Your video may be on or off during the call. There is no pressure for you to discuss. If you prefer to just listen or join the discussion via chat, that’s completely welcome.
You may join one meeting or all meetings. There is no long-term commitment.
You do not have to be a yoga student at our studio (or any studio). If the book calls to you, join us!
All adults are welcome. Diversity is a beautiful thing. Please bring yourself as you are. Unity is the goal and we only get there when we honor our differences.
Once signed up through our website, you will get the Zoom link to join our session.
Now for the best part... the first book reveal!!
Our first selection will be....
This is a fairly short read. It will be my first time diving into this one but it came very highly recommended!
If this interests you, get a copy of your book from your favorite source. Enjoy reading at your own pace and secure your spot on our Zoom call in June by going to our Book Online page. I’m looking forward to sharing the space with any that feel called to join. Welcome to the Unity Book Club!
Yours in Yoga,
Lauren Sommerfield
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