Laughing Elephant Yoga Newsletter - January 2026
Bitsy Merriman | JAN 19
Laughing Elephant Yoga Newsletter January 2026
"Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity. We need only to be aware and alive in the present moment." Thich Nhat Hanh
"The beginner's mind is a mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless." Shunryu Suzuki
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Free Videos - Links Below
Rest Chakra Practice w/Bitsy
https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/rest-chakras-practice-with-bitsy
Yin: Supine Yin w/Bitsy
https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/yin-yoga-yin-supine-with-bitsy
Chakra Meditation
New Year Musing
I always use the winter solstice as a time to release what needs to be let go of and allowing myself space to be open to "new" opportunities and change. Easier said than done...and this year, I am finding a need to create space to return to me. My authentic self, my creative and fun self and the self that wants to continue to learn, grow and share with others. My intention is to allow 2026 to be my year of being and doing what aligns with my heart and passion for living.
For me, that requires a balance of my two personas -- introvert and extrovert. Balance of those requires that I don't fall into the embrace of one to the detriment of the other. For instance, doing too many activities and events without rest and recharging my introverted batteries leads me to depletion, tiredness and withdrawing from all activities.
I must pay attention to the rhythm of my days, energy being shared, demands being made of me and then balance that with personal care, rest, quiet and attention to self.
Recognize that rest or activity is not a weakness, they are nourishment...and it is up to you to determine which nourishment you need in any given moment. This awareness helps you live life to the fullest in a way that suits you.
Ways to be present with yourself:
Take a rest or pause - can you tune in to your rhythms and needs here? Allow yourself to make note of inner wisdom or learnings, ideas to carry forward or something you need to let go of or change. Ask yourself, when do you most feel like you? What circumstances surround that feeling? Can you replicate that in your actions moving forward?
Work to be present -- listen, really listen and tune in to yourself and others, notice the small things in the moment, bird sounds, a leaf on the ground, small grains of shiny sand...
Create space for you...space to breathe, space to be and become...space to soften with ease and release...space to return to yourself.
Be present with yourself. So that you can be present for others.
Another aspect I mentioned that occurs in the New Year is being open to change. Many of you practiced change with me on the mat, trying different styles of yoga or meditation. All of you remember those first few times where it may have felt awkward or you felt like you didn't belong with the regulars in class..but over time as you realize its not a competition and its a practice just for you and that the practice will be different in every moment...you settled in, relaxed within the practice and allowed it to embrace you. And you became a flexible, fluid, and agile yogi in mind, body, breath and spirit sharing that with our community.
If you'd like more ideas on change, one of my teachers, Jennifer Reis shares some tips for how to begin anew:
Rest Sequence
For those of you who want to self study, I am sharing a visual yoga sequence you can use as a guide.
https://www.tummee.com/yoga-sequence/9bSSX
Classes
I can be found at https://www.wildlotusyogacollective.com/ or on MindBody.
I teach two classes a week:
Wed Yin & Nidra 12p and Fri Rest & Restore 12P
1x a month I offer Rest & Divine Sleep at Wild Lotus Yoga Collective for $10/per person - all accessible
Sun 2-330p 1/18/26, 2/22/26 and 3/29/26
SUB Alert: Monday Jan 19th 12noon Gentle Yoga
I am pleased to be a part of the faculty for Jewel of the Lotus 300hr Yoga Teacher Training being held in 2026 at Wild Lotus Yoga Collective. If you are interested, it is a curriclum with depth, excellent faculty and will be a wonderful experience.
https://www.wildlotusyogacollective.com/jewel
I am also available to teach privates and/or group privates for special occasions upon request. I may get back to making new videos of classes and meditations. Working on some ideas and the technology to support it and will keep all of you posted.
Last but not least, for those of you who have enjoyed my recipe shates, here's a new GF-Vegan idea for the winter. See at bottom of newsletter.
Enjoy!
With love and kindness
Bitsy Merriman, E-RYT500, E-RYT300, E-RYT200
401-439-5075
www.laughingelephantyoga.com
Recipe for Winter
20-minute Chickpea Tacos Prep 5 min - Cook 15 minutes
Pan-fried spiced chickpeas are paired with a citrusy and spicy cilantro pesto, then topped with salsa and avocado for the perfect taco night.
Servings: 3
Ingredients
Spiced Chickpeas:
1 (15-ounce) can of chickpeas, drained
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican if you have it)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Squeeze of lime juice
Cilantro Pesto
1/2 cup roasted cashews (or pistachios or walnuts)
2 1/2 cups loosely packed cups of cilantro leaves and tender stems (no tough stem)
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 small jalapeno pepper, roughly chopped (optional)
1 medium lemon or 1 large lime, zested and juiced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
For Serving
6 corn tortillas
your favorite salsa (store or home made)
1 large avocado, diced
Instructions
if your nuts are raw, spread them out on a sheet pan and roast for 7 to 10 minutes at 350, tossing halfway through.
Transfer chickpeas to a clean dish towel or a layer of paper towels and gently pat dry as much as you can without smushing them. They need to be well-dried before cooking.
Heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat with the 2 teaspoons of oil and spread the oil out with a paper towel to evenly distribute. Once hot, add the chickpeas and spread out in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to allow some browning. Toss and cook for another 3 minutes, or until chickpeas are golden brown and blistered in some spots.
Add salt and spices and toss well to coat the chickpeas. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes to allow flavors to blend, then take off the heat and hit with a squeeze of lime juice.
Meanwhile make the cilantro pesto. Add the nuts to a food processor and blitz until in very tiny pieces. Add the cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lemon (or lime) zest, 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste and blend until a paste forms. Scrape the paste towards the middle. Turn on the motor and stream in the olive oil until it comes together into a sauce. If needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to bring it all together, or add it for a thinner sauce. Taste, adding more lemon/lime juice or salt if needed.
To char corn tortillas:If you have a gas stove, turn a nurner to medium-low and use tongs to place tortilla directly over the flame, 10 to 20 seconds per side until charred, in spots. Or you can add each tortilla to a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 15-30 seconds per side. Stack and wrap charred tortillas in a dish towel to keep them warm.
To assemble tacos - spoon some cilantro pesto into the center of each tortilla. Add a handful of spiced chickpeas. Top with diced avocado and salsa.
Notes: Taste your cilantro first to ensure its not too bitter. It you can't tolerate spicy food, omit the jalapeno. Lemon is better for masking bitter flavors in case cilantro is bitter.
Bitsy Merriman | JAN 19
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