Hello and happy spring!

This will be a long, full newsletter...as I am sharing my personal health journey, subs who will be supporting me at Wild Lotus so my students can continue to be within a community, and my offerings from my teachers as well as free videos in case you want a little Bitsy to practice with at hOMe!

There are lots of goodies in this newsletter, so allow yourself time to visit all of it - free videos, recipe, tips and of course, the schedule of classes at Wild Lotus Yoga Collective.

Personal Journey

I experienced an injury during cleanup of debris from Hurricane Helene. That I njury has led me to utilize all my friends for massage, acupuncture, PT and clinical evaluations. Unfortunately, the injury acerbated my hip which I had kept "healthy and functional" for years with yoga and a healthy lifestyle. So...long story, short, I am having anterior hip replacement on April 15th. So, while I appear to be the poster child for quick recovery -- I do need to plan for being off the mat, working my PT and home exercises to regain full mobility. I will need to recover, rehab my hip and get back to my yoga and personal strength.

Here are my plans for: www.wildlotusyogacollective.com

Subs (many, many thanks to them!): Thr33, Amber Moon and Kendall Harbor. Info on MindBody or studio website. Yin Mon & Wed 12pm, Rest & Restore Fri 12pm

April 14-May 2: then I hope to be back 5/5/25!

There will be no April Rest & Divine Sleep - back May 18 - Sunday 2pm.

hOMe Practice Offerings - Free offerings while I recuperate

Rest Chakra Practice https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/rest-chakras-practice-with-bitsy

Savasana Yoga Snack Counting the Stars Meditation

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/savasana-yoga-snack-counting-the-stars-meditation-with-bitsy

Yummy Yin Yoga: Energize Your Self

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/yummy-yin-yoga-energize-your-self-with-bitsy

Yin & Yoga Nidra Yin & Yang

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/yin-yoga-nidra-yin-yang-with-bitsy

Yin & Yoga Nidra Lower Body Practice

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/yin-yoga-nidra-lower-body-practice-with-bitsy

Restorative Yoga Finding Stillness

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/restorative-yoga-finding-stillness-with-bitsy

Energizing Spring Yin & Yang

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/yin-yoga-energizing-spring-yin-yang-with-bitsy

Rest Yoga & Yin Sound Sleep

https://laughingelephantyoga.offeringtree.com/online_store/restorative-yoga-yoga-nidra-sound-sleep-with-bitsy

Seasons

Spring, the elusive but most desired season of the year is also a time of change and transition. Some changes are wondrous, beautiful and awe inspiring...some scary or tension filled. One thing I know is to stay present and respond in the here and now...allowing myself the opportunity to focus on all the wonder and joy in the moment and not focus on regrets, plans or borrow trouble.

Change can feel messy and full of emotional highs and lows -- and yet, we have a choice that we can choose ease, grace, calm, wonder and joy.

One of my teachers, Jennifer Reis uses Trimurti Mudra as a part of our practices. I have shared this with her permission from her newsletter so you can enjoy!

Trimurti Mudra "I flow through life's transitions with ease and grace." Open the link below in a new tab to see directions and how to use this mudra.

https://jenniferreisyoga.acemlnc.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GE2V6WZD87._dxHguRrAHUhvN~3lxozXaM4JXKhDa8v-Uy.zuVy2I2ljdQ~jutAZ5LEI0

New to Yoga? First, I believe that we should arrive on our mat "new to yoga" each time...so whether it is your 500th class or first, know that each day and each moment on the mat we are "new to this experience." The classes I teach may appear simplistic, however, there is a lovely complexity to yin, restorative and guided meditation (sometimes called yoga nidra, or my longer version Divine Sleep). All these practices are open and available to anyone -- asking only that you come, arrive, allow yourself time to be present and experience the shapes, sensations of the poses that allow you to customize them to suit your needs.

Some ideas:

1. Yoga isn't about anyone else -- but YOU. Your body, mind, breath and spirit.

2. Yoga isn't a competition -- there is no right or wrong and the person next to you isn't better or worse. Remember, its about you.

3. Yoga is more than a physical practice.

4. Sometimes the most important part is the journey you took to get on the mat and arrive. Not the poses, how well you do the poses or how active you are in the practice. Just landing, being present, letting go of the outside world and voices and being.

Spring Recipe - Vibrant Veggie Rolls with Peanut Dip

Dive into these fresh flavors with veggies, avocado and a dipping sauce - perfect for lunch or an appetizer. Or add your favorite protein to make it a meal!

Ingredients:

8 rice paper wrappers

1/2 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 carrot julienned, 1 cucumber julienned, 1/2 avocado sliced, fresh mint & cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup peanut butter (or your substitute), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime jucie, 1tsp maple syrup

Directions:

1. Prep the Veggies and arrange on a plate for easy assembly

2. Soften the rice wrappers - dip wrapper in warm water for 10 seconds, lay flat on clean surface

3. Arrange veggies, avocado, mint, & cilantro in center of wrapper. Add protien choice if applicable. Roll tightly like a burrito.

4. Make peanut sauce - whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice and maple syrup until smooth. Add water to thin if necessary. If peanut sauce not your flavor - pick what you like!

5. Calories without protein added - 200 per serving, servings 4

6. Tips & Variations: add cooked rice noodles or vermicelli, add protein source or tofu, use different veggies of season bell peppers, spinach or bean sprouts. Add a splash of sriracha to sauce to spice it up. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for garnish.

   Hope you enjoy my offerings for Spring!

   With love, Bitsy Merriman 401-439-5075 [email protected]