 We're opening the Whitefish studio on June 1st! HOME STRETCH, people!
Or is it? That's the funny thing about COVID-19. We're making moves and setting dates and *thinking* about venturing beyond the boundaries of what we call "home." But is any of that for certain? No. Could that all change in a heartbeat? Yes. Nothing is for certain — and I know we feel rattled because of the last few months, but lest we forget: Nothing in life is certain, nor has it ever been. Certain uncertainty. It's got a ring to it! More info forthcoming about our plan of action next week, with a full summer schedule to boot, including indoor classes, outdoor classes, paddleboard yoga and more! That being said, are there a million questions yet to be answered about how this is going to work? Of course.. I was listening to my teacher, Anand, speak a few nights ago, and he spoke about questions. Specifically, asking questions – and what questions we ask can reveal so much about our internal state of being. Whatever questions we ask, our life becomes the answers. Sit with that for a minute. And think about what questions you've been asking yourself lately. "Will I ever travel again?" "Where will my next paycheck come from?" "Will I ever get better at being patient with my kids?" Once we ask these questions — whether mundane musings or insightful inquiries — our awareness goes searching for the answers. Our mind starts to make meaning out of anything it can, from fake news to first-hand accounts. And as such, our life becomes what we focus on. If we ask questions from fearful awareness, our life becomes a fearful place. If we as questions with severe and unrealistic optimism, we can miss the quick, simple steps that cut a painful journey in half. So what questions are you asking? And what answers is your awareness seeking? Use these observations as a clue into your own mental state! (And if you have questions about what our "grand opening" will look like, wait till we send you an email next week! <--- See what I did there? Ha!) Me? I've been asking myself how Yoga Hive's 300-hour training is going to manifest for over a year now... and the time is finally right! I'm so excited to share some really big teachings with our tribe this fall.
I am SO excited to finally share a summer studio schedule with you next week! Until then... Sending love, Mollie
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This weekend is the final weekend of yoga teacher training for our Montana-based crew. And as I reflect back on the last few months (and where they went?), I am reminded that everything in life is impermanent. Every yoga teacher training — however magical they all are — eventually comes to an end. (And our 100% online YTT begins June 3rd - click for details!) In the same way, I dropped off our 15-year-old Weimaraner with Sean’s parents this past weekend. Daisy will live out her golden years sunbathing and getting SO much love with our family in warmer climates. Our time with our pets — however magical it is — eventually comes to an end. In the same way, as so many of you know, we made the difficult decision to permanently close our Kalispell and Columbia Falls studios as of May 1st, and carry on in Montana with our flagship location in Whitefish. Every business — however magical it is for however long it lasts — eventually comes to an end. Sensing a trend here? This idea of "impermanence" is a foundational teaching of yoga. Everything that is created will be destroyed. And if we let go of the dramatic semantics of the word “DESTROYED” (e.g. Game of Thrones visualizations) we can see how true this really is. So then the question: Why — when a life, a business, a job, a pet, etc. comes to an end — do we struggle to move on? Because of our attachment to the way things are. Or the way things were. Or the way we think things “should” be. When we dive into yoga as a lifestyle, we learn over and over again that as we detach from outcomes, and detach from our fixed ideas about how things are, we can wake up to this truth… the cycle of life. We can wake up to the ultimate impermanence of literally everything. We find this principle is everywhere in nature. She changes daily, hourly, moment-to-moment. Just as a day in the mountains can bring showers, hail, snow, wind and sunshine (plus clouds, obviously), change is abundant. Weather isn’t permanent. Seasons aren’t permanent. Understanding impermanence is REQUIRED for our sanity as human beings. If we don't realize that everything comes to an end, we get confused when things go away, or when people leave our lives. And when confusion becomes chronic, that's when suffering begins. With the studios closing, I’ve been asked more times than I can count, “How are you feeling about it?” My first instinct is to feed into this idea that I’m devastated and struggling because of course I didn’t want to close two studios. Who wants to do something like that? But then I remember the truth: I know this decision — like all endings — is just a pathway to more freedom for me, and ultimately more freedom for every human being touched by Yoga Hive, and who will be touched by Yoga Hive in the future. And because we can’t QUITE see what that freedom looks like yet from our unique vantage points, this is where trust comes in. Every moment holds a spiritual invitation for us. (And YES. I just said the S-word. Stay with me.) The moment when we close two of three Montana yoga studios, when Daisy moved to a warmer climate, and even yoga teacher training coming to an end… if we forget about the spiritual invitation for us to dive deeper, we get lost in crisis and suffering when we encounter an ending. Every ending becomes a monumental problem until our entire life is filled with them. But if we accept the invite and metaphorically RSVP to the yogic teachings, we start to see how this impermanence is just a fact. It’s coming, and we don’t need to wait for it, or fear it. We welcome it with open arms, we shed our tears and feel our pain in the process, BECAUSE we trust that what’s coming down the road is exactly what we need (even if we can’t imagine it yet!). So hang in there, everyone. And keep practicing! You’ll find us on Zoom for now — but we have plans in the works and are paying close attention to both city, county and state regulations! We will have outdoor classes to start with (weather pending!) soon! Keep following along. In the meantime, some notes for you:
I can’t say I’ve ever written an email to you guys with puddles of tears in my eyes, but here I am. Guess there’s a first for everything. I want more than anything to tell you this in person. In light of the financial pressures of COVID-19, I’ve made the decision to permanently close our Kalispell and Columbia Falls Yoga Hive locations. Moving forward, the Whitefish studio will be our Montana flagship, we'll have our one location in Wisconsin, and Arctic Hive will hold strong as a destination for upcoming yoga + adventure retreats in the Brooks Range. Wednesday night (the night I wrote this, just 24 hours after coming to this decision), I stood at my kitchen sink after a long day of phone calls, list making, and number crunching. I hadn’t cried yet, and I kept thinking to myself that it hadn’t hit me. I was staring at a sink filled with dishes. I put on music, I started cleaning, and I felt off… slightly nauseous. Wasn’t hungry, wasn’t sick. Just felt weird. And as I washed, and scrubbed, and rinsed, I felt my heart welling up with emotion at the symbolism. Cleaning up a beautiful mess. In my mind, I imagined your faces as you stared at your screen in disbelief, as you read this email. Thinking to yourself: NO. WAY. My yoga home is gone. THIS VIRUS SUCKS. This can’t be happening. The tears started falling. Maybe yours are too. My cry was not a pity party. Not by a long shot. This was a good, hearty cry that went on for a few hours, on and off, as I energetically honored, and released the incredible 4 and 3 years (respectively) we’ve shared together in collectively four different studio spaces between Cfalls and Kalispell. The movement we’ve made. The groups we’ve cried in. The beautiful yellow and blue walls that sheltered us from the wild outside. Over 75 teachers who’ve come, some gone, and served as leaders of thousands of yogis from near and far. The hundreds of cups of tea, kombucha, and Coffee Traders coffee we’ve collectively shared will never be forgotten. And please don’t be sorry. I believe we should save it for when we absolutely mean it. When we’ve screwed up. When we’ve inflicted suffering on someone else, and we see our wrong. No one here has screwed up. For me, tears are the way I release emotion. There's no other way to get it out! It’s exhausting — and requires a million kleenexes — but at the end, I always feel better because I’ve let it go. You see, none of us are exempt from pain. And right now, I share your pain. I feel this pain — and if I’ve learned anything through the tender moments I’ve spent with so many of you within Yoga Hive walls: Our pain has led each of us to our own version of transformation. It’s a required prerequisite to transformation. We might not see it right away, but the more times we realize the pain happens FOR us, the more times we learn to expect it… and to know there’s light coming. Pain is inevitable. Change is inevitable. But transformation it’s an optional step that only comes to us when we let go of expectations. When we let go of attachment to “what was,” in order to make space for something new. By being sorry for pain like this (which I will say is distinctly different than chronic suffering), it’s like being sorry for the journey. Being sorry for the uncomfortable. Being sorry for the times in our lives that make us who we are. And truth is? I’m not sorry for any of this. I’ve done my best with the resources I have. You’ve done your best with yours. We shared millions of incredible moments together. We’re all destined for greatness as we open up space for something new on a collective level. Before I wrote this email, I scrolled Facebook for a minute and read that the summer camp I grew up working at won’t be holding camp this summer. (The instigator of the second wave of tears as I started to write this email). The feeling of camp ending for the summer is one I know intimately. But the feeling of summer camp ending for a long while? That’s a new one. One that hits home for our Yoga Hive community. But just like summer camp, your yoga home will someday open again in Whitefish. Your yoga home will still continue with tons of LIVE Zoom classes every week with some of your familiar Yoga Hive faces — tech experience not required! Your yoga home lives within our new baby for on-demand streaming, Yoga Hive Connect. But most of all, your yoga home will never leave you. Because it doesn’t require a particular teacher. It doesn’t require our distinct yellow and blue walls, essential oils diffusing, or incense burning. If you’ve learned anything from us, I hope it’s this: Your yoga home will never be lost because it’s within you. Sure, all the Yoga Hive touches are nice. And helpful when we’re really needing guidance. But over time, we realize that everything we need is within, and in the same way, Yoga Hive is nothing without Y-O-U. And so I leave you with my deepest respect and gratitude for all the words you and I will speak/text/email about this — and all the words that will go unspoken. Thank you for four years, Columbia Falls. Kalispell, thank you for nearly three and a half. Whitefish: We’re looking at you for support as we all take a collective deep (DEEP) breath and nourish this yoga home for many years to come. I personally invite all of you, throughout the valley, to make a trek over to Whitefish (after we open, of course) to join together as one Yoga Hive community in our Flagship space — you'll always have the option to practice with us from the comfort of your home through Zoom as we make online access a permanent offering within the studio. It's an honor to continue to serve you and I'm sure we'll come up with some creative outdoor opportunities to practice together across the valley over the summer. Thank you for making Yoga Hive such an incredible place to work, teach, and grow. Be on the lookout for an online store featuring props, bundles, merch and more early next week, available for curbside pickup. In light (and a few final cleansing tears), Mollie PS - If you have questions about an existing membership or punch pass you have on file, please reach out to our manager Brittany at brittany@yogahivemontana.com. She'll help make it right!   The Yoga Hive team agrees that we're now in the year Zero AC — after COVID. The time prior to this, we fondly refer to as BC — before COVID. BC, Blaine (owner of Yoga Hive Colorado) and I worked together closely on programs and trainings and executed them separately at our studios. We would check in with each other and share feedback and learnings on our separate workshops and events and yoga teacher trainings (YTTs) and I would fly to Colorado and teach portions of her trainings and she would fly to Montana/Wisconsin and teach portions of our trainings... but they were separate. Then quarantine happened. AC, the light bulb happened... a brilliant, shining realization. Online, we can teach TOGETHER! We can merge yoga class schedules and have various teachers from all over the Yoga Hive Universe teach all the Yoga Hive Members. Instead of Blaine leading BeAbundant (a 21 day workshop that ends today) in Colorado, and I lead it in Montana and/or Wisconsin, we can teach it to everyone TOGETHER. And all this togetherness has been more fun and impactful that we could have ever imagined. And SO FUN! Meeting people from other Yoga Hives who show up and take classes, co-leading BeAbundant with over 40 students each week, getting creative with ideas regarding how to get programs like this off the ground and learning about different technology options (like Yoga Hive Connect on demand streaming!) to support us moving forward have all been such blessings in this quarantine world. New friends! New knowledge! New ideas! When we encounter new things (be it teaching a yoga pose for the first time, or teaching on Zoom, or navigating new funding applications — anything!), we're quick to label things as "difficult" or "uncomfortable." But what yoga teaches us is that when we're in the challenge zone of life, as opposed to our comfort zone, we're creating new neuro-pathways. We're problem solving. We're getting more life experience. We're EVOLVING! So being out of the comfort zone is not "difficult" unless you decide it is. In other words, if you think a new obstacle is hard, YOU'RE RIGHT! Just like if you think a new challenge is easy... YOU'RE RIGHT. So Blaine and I? We've been embracing the challenge — and beyond that, we're normalizing the challenge so that over time, challenge becomes comfortable. And even furthermore... challenge becomes exciting. Blaine found this lovely quote from Dan Stevens that sums it up: The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity. As we keep looking forward to that sweet moment we practice in person together, we don’t have a re-opening date... but our team is working hard on a plan. Can you please help us? Please complete this survey (it’s quick) to give us information we need as we build out the plan. It would mean so much to me — to all of us. Help shape our future with your thoughts and ideas! Thank you! Survey link HERE. (If you already took it earlier this week, we did add a few more specific questions, so feel free to take it again!) And I have an exciting announcement! In this time of live-stream togetherness, this June Blaine and I are CO-TEACHING a one month long immersion Yoga Alliance Certified 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training! It’s a one-time only unique and special opportunity. In a month, from home, taking live classes that are just the same as our in-person 3-6 month YTTs, you can learn the ancient science of yoga and become a yoga teacher. No other time have Blaine and I been able to split teaching a YTT entirely down the middle... but now is the time. This is our chance. Will you join us? If you click here to see more, you can enter your information at the bottom of the page to take pre-recorded classes with Blaine and I to get a feel for our teaching style. PLUS: Blaine and I will do a live Q&A on Zoom to answer all your questions on Monday, May 4th at 4 PM Mountain Time (in Montana), which is 5 PM Central Time (in Wisconsin). SIGN UP for the Q&A HERE. Blaine and I have also been having a blast co-teaching 90-minute Saturday morning classes. We have a new one this Saturday at 9:00 Mountain to support your immune system. It has Energy Medicine Yoga, Kriya, breathwork and yoga poses for that very purpose, and you’ll start your weekend strong and ready for whatever is coming your way! It's a regular class so you can use your package or normal drop-in. Sign up on our schedule — all current passes apply. Also, if you're looking for a way to fine-tune your intuition, and play with accessing that deeper wisdom within yourself, check out Maud's Intuitive Play workshop on Zoom coming up on May 6th. $20 per person — and if you have a credit from a past workshop that was cancelled, we can apply your credit to this. Just reach out. Thank you so much for supporting the studio during this time. Seeing your faces on live-stream Zoom classes is my inspiration to wake up and work and create every single day! And one more reminder request – please complete this re-opening survey! In light, Mollie PS - If you're a Yoga Hive app user, you probably saw that it's not working properly as of late. We had to cut a few costs and unfortunately, the app didn't make the cut. BUT if you download the general MindBody app, you should be able to access all our classes through that system. Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for your understanding! PPS - Because we won't be renting/lending out props at the studio for a long time, Yoga Hive will be selling bundles of yoga props for your at-home yoga studio, and offering curbside pickup... SOON. You will be able to bring these to Yoga Hive when we can all be back together. If you're interested in a bundle or individual props, please respond here with your request and we'll do our best to compile the interest in the next week!  Vedic Astrology, Jyotish, (the science of Light) is the astrology of India. This is known as the 'eyes' of the Vedas and a sister science to Yoga and Ayurveda. This Light is meant to illuminate the path of the individual, providing insight into one's karma, strengths and weaknesses, personality, career, health, family and relationships. With this light we can see clearly and realize our Higher self therefore aligning with our true nature. This 5,000-year-old ancient science conveys Eastern mysticism, philosophies and understanding of the human spirit through the language of the stars. It weaves together psychology, astronomy, mathematics, science, spirituality, astrology, physics, geometry, numerology as well as the art of interpretation and skill of useful communication to the client. Vedic Astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, is geocentric based and places great importance on the Moon. The Moon is our mind, consciousness and reflects our perception of the world. Because the sidereal system is used, and the precession of equinoxes is calculated, Vedic Astrology uses the literal and actual position of the planets relative to our place on Earth. The Nakshatras, the lunar mansions, are the backdrop of the stars and have great symbolism. The nakshatras are the oldest known form of any astrology in the world. They are rich in meaning and steeped heavily in the ancient mythology of India. The natal chart, which is the exact positions of the planets and stars at your moment of birth, is your unique blueprint. This shows the karmas imprinted on your soul. Of course, we always have free will, and Vedic Astrology can help shine a light, guiding your path for the choices you make that can serve to better align you. By studying in depth, the natal chart, current transits and the dasha cycle, profound insights can be gained and predictions made. Vedic Astrology can be a great life tool for everyone! What's happening today for all of us... Since the unfolding of the COVID19 pandemic, there have been many volatile conjunctions and transits of planets creating immense astrological tension. Saturn made his way into Capricorn on January 24th, where he will reside for an arduous 2 and half years. Saturn is the planet of lessons, obstacles, delays, structure and hard work and functions well in Capricorn. He is currently joined by Jupiter, Mars and Pluto. Jupiter can give opportunity and growth, but he is weakest in the sign of Capricorn. Mars is violent and aggressive and is an enemy of Saturn, creating a lot of friction. And Pluto is explosive, controlling and powerful but ultimately leading to surrender and healing. Capricorn is the Earth sign that relates to government, ambition and success. When Saturn enters any sign it creates restriction, slowing things down, a lot! And that is exactly what we have been forced (Mars) to do, slow down, reset and pause. What I find interesting is that these planets have been placed in the nakshaktra (lunar Mansion) Uttarashada. Uttarashada means ‘later victory’, it shows what can not be suppressed. Often called the Universal Star, it shows the ability to stand up for what you believe in, responsibility, truth, sincerity and a commitment to humanity. By sheltering in place, each of us is practicing our commitment to all humanity. In this nakshkatra the true nature of humans come out regardless of what they need to face. The aim of this lunar mansion is moksha, spiritual liberation and I believe through all of this we will each have deep transformation. The nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu have played a major role in the pandemic. They been in a treacherous alignment for about a year, but really as of December 26th 2019, when the solar eclipse occurred, this is what set the ecliptic pattern. This difficult placement refers to the nakshaktras have they have been transiting though. Rahu, the north node, has been in Ardra, the symbol is a tear drop and is a place of destruction and sadness. Ketu, the south node, has been in Mula, also a place of destruction and great losses where material possessions are stripped away but lead to spiritual realization. The last time the nodes were aligned in these nakshatras was the tragic event of September 11th. Prior to that they were aligned during the AIDS epidemic, and dating all the way back to the Spanish flu pandemic, same nodal placements but inverted. We began to see some hope and relief as Rahu moved out of Ardra on April 22nd. However, the nodes will remain in Gemini and Sagittarius until mid-September this year, so we aren’t out of the woods yet. With this Great Pause we have been given, through its destruction, loss and sadness, we will rise again. We will transform and release these old ways of living that didn’t serve our higher selves. Profound change is happening, look within, embrace it and let it this transformation guide you.  Meet Nancy
Nancy Ellis has been a devoted student of Vedic Astrology since 2005. Her main teachers are Dennis Flaherty of Northwest Vedic Sciences and Joni Patry of the Galactic Center, each have been practicing astrologers for over 40yrs. Nancy deepened her studies in India, meeting Jyotish masters in Pune and near Dharmsala. Nancy has the deepest reverence for this ancient science and is committed to offering this wisdom with highest intention of good for her clients. Her readings are warm, insightful, wise and enlightening. Nancy is a longtime certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Instructor and Meditation facilitator. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, specializing in Thai Bodywork and owner of Saffron Sun Healing Arts. She is an educator, teaching the in-depth Ayurveda coursework for Yoga teacher trainings in Montana and the Pacific Northwest since 2008. To schedule a reading on your personal chart (which we highly recommend!) please email her directly at saffronsun108@gmail.com or visit www.saffronsunhealingarts.com. For 25% off all services in April, use the code metta. Tuesday officially marks five weeks I've spent in quarantine... this is the longest I've spent in one place in over a year. A YEAR! Sinking into a rhythm without traveling feels... good. And long overdue. And so many provisions with COVID — however crushing in other ways — have ultimately made this rhythm possible in my life. Gratitude, like this, comes in waves. Each day, I look forward discovering it all over again. Earlier this week, the gratitude wave caught me off guard. Sean and I finally broke our streak, and went into town. I was waiting while a cashier rang up my grocery order. I surveyed around me as people pushed shopping carts — some with masks, some tucking their chins and mouths into their jacket collars. Some not taking any such precautions. And in that moment, I felt my chest tighten and my eyes brim with tears... of gratitude. I WAS SURROUNDED BY OTHER HUMANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE WEEKS! The corners of my mouth (underneath my own mask) turned upward. And I could interact with them (at a safe distance). Smile at them (at least with my eyes). Such a simple observation, and gratitude hit me like a ton of bricks. I walked out brimming with joy, a smile ear to ear... which no one could see underneath my mask — the irony! Something I'd always taken for granted, now in plain sight... and I was feeling all the feels. As I reflect on what else I've taken for granted over the years, I find myself daydreaming about walking down Central Ave in Whitefish, or down Nucleus in Columbia Falls, or downtown Kalispell... seeing friendly faces on the sidewalk as I carry a hot, handcrafted latte, smiling at tourists as they stand in awe of the amazing place we call home. I love that feeling — I crave that feeling. But here's the thing about daydreaming about how life was... it sets us up for failure because this dream assumes no change. And change is the only constant. It assumes all those small businesses will still be there when we emerge. And truthbomb: Some won't. It also assumes those tourists will be there, supporting our economy like usual by paying full price, in bulk, all summer long. The same applies: Some won't. Imagine Christmastime after we've made it through the summer, with the festive lanterns and garlands hung from the street lamps... just look at this!  And as you walk down Central, you pass dark storefront, after shuttered shop windows, one after the other. A nicely decorated ghost town. Wouldn't you wish, in that moment, you could turn back time and bring back the places you loved? Of course you would. But what would we say in that moment? Hindsight is 20/20. It's easy to say: That won't happen to our town. It can't. But if COVID has proven anything to us, it's that we can absolutely expect the unexpected, at any time. So why not do something about it, and make sure we're not living in a shell of a town, six months from now, or a year down the road? My point is simple: Your vote counts. Your support matters. Every purchase you make at a small business matters, and helps carry them one step further toward weathering this bump in the road. This, coming from a studio that has given out more free yoga passes than ever before for so many new community members — we're so grateful you're here and you tried our LIVE online classes! But after all the free, our aim is to generate interest for a sustaining commitment so you continue to get yoga because we can afford to provide it. And remember: Abundance isn't about the "haves" and the "have nots" ... yoga teaches us this: Your attention is your most valuable currency. We all have attention to give. It helps a small business when you spread the word, tell your friends, share on social media. All those referrals (especially in a small town) mean the world to us. If other business owners are anything like me, the decisions we're making right now are crucial. Each step, we're walking on egg shells as we determine what needs to be left alone, what we can feasibly maintain, and how to possibly move forward when the state/county/city opens. And here's one more important thing to consider: The need for your vote doesn't stop when we all open up. It doesn't stop a few months from now when you're wanting to spend your days out in the breathtaking wilderness rather than downtown shopping. It will matter for a long time. A friend of mine who lost her son years ago to complications with type 1 diabetes wrote a book on grief and talked about the feeling after people stop bringing lasagnas over... the newness of the loss wears off, and reality sets in and the family is left to fend for themselves once again. I think the chapter is called, "More Lasagna, please." That idea has always stuck with me. As a community (this includes you), our collective loss is forcing business models to change, and will inevitably prevent as many tourists from visiting our towns this summer. This impact will be felt for many, many months to come. I'm also the world's biggest optimist (you all know this by now) ... but yoga doesn't ask us to ignore what's right in front of us just because "this too shall pass." Yoga requires us to examine everything. Take nothing for granted. And take decisive, correct action when the moment is right. So my advice (which I'm taking myself) is to start investing in what your future will look like. How will you vote with your attention to keep our small communities thriving? This week, I'm proud to promote two Yoga Hive resources to you — Nancy Ellis is sharing some incredibly Vedic Astrology wisdom with us (scroll to read!) and is offering deals on her Vedic Astrology readings... and Maud Mangin, one of our teachers at YH Wisconsin and a gifted intuitive healer herself, is offering a fun virtual workshop for Intuitive Play in early May. Details are below! I speak for all of our teachers here at Yoga Hive — the handful currently teaching, and the nearly 30 total teachers throughout the Flathead that are part of our team — we would be so honored to continue serving you through our memberships and punch cards as we eventually offer some in-person offerings, and continue offering live online classes via Zoom for the foreseeable future. You could even buy a gift card for a friend or family member — no matter where they live! If the LIVE online class times aren't working for you, or if you live somewhere other than Montana, we're proud to announce: Yoga Hive Connect is OFFICIALLY open for live streaming! For as low as $15 a month (plus a 7-day FREE trial!), you can gain access to this incredible, growing database of Yoga Hive classes, workshops and perspectives... proceeds from which support your local studio. Through May 1st, as a gesture of gratitude, we're offering the one-time opportunity to become a founding member. By using the coupon code foundingmember, you not only get 7 days to try for free, but you can get 50% off the monthly unlimited rate of $20/month. So that's all the goodness of taking our classes whenever you want, for only $10/month... for life. Cancel anytime on your own — no need to email us! This offer is only through the end of the month, with no extensions. Act now.   Cheers to each one of you out there — thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU, for doing your part to sustain the businesses and people you love! Remember: Spend your attention wisely.
In light, Mollie I can feel it. The nation is buzzing… waiting for someone, ANYONE, to give the green light to go back to “normal.” And normal was on my mind a lot last weekend. There were a solid four hours on Sunday (FOUR HOURS!) where nothing related to coronavirus, the state of this business, or the weight of strategizing reopening the studios felt heavy on my shoulders. It was bliss. Sean and I returned Monday after a long weekend up at Arctic Hive — 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the heart of the Brooks Range, locking up so many things we’d left open and exposed in anticipation for our yoga + northern lights retreat that couldn't happen earlier this month. I felt so grateful to be able to ski up a snow-covered trail into Gates of the Arctic National Park… It felt so good to sit around the wood stove with snow falling outside and dream about our plans for a fall retreat this September. It was amazing to just sit in stillness, inside and outside. The quiet of that place never ceases to take my breath away. And before I get to the meat of this story, check out these photos...     Ahh. Takes me back. (Click here if you want to be the first to know when we launch dates for the next retreat!)
On Monday, as we rolled back into town, I could feel the shift. Having had my own taste of “normal” over the weekend, it’s as if I could feel the rest of the world yearning for the same. More than usual. Wanting things to be comfortable again. Get us OUT of this uncertainty and take us back to the way things were. Here is what I know: We cannot unsee what we’ve seen over the last month. We will never go back to the way things were because the fact is: Everything has changed. And despite the best efforts of the media and Big Marketing Companies to convince us to drown ourselves in all the old vices we had to create “normal” outside of ourselves pre-COVID, it’s not going to work. Greed, gluttony, deception… those motives won’t fly anymore. We’re different. We’ve experienced The Great Pause, 2020. We’ve gotten a glimpse of your life on the slow side. We’ve felt — either willingly, or kicking and screaming — the immense power of pausing. Of stillness. Sure, uncertainty is there. Loss is there. Different and uncomfortableness is there. But you are there. You are here. And when everything that makes you comfortable gets stripped away, you get to choose how to rebuild. Let me repeat: You have the ability to choose how you rebuild your life and your priorities. This is a fundamental teaching of yoga: When we strip away all our earthly desires and see life for what it is — a divine play — we realize that we don’t need all the “stuff” to survive. We are the audience and the actor and the entire experience of the great play of life. Nothing outside of ourselves is within our control, and nothing outside of ourselves is needed to self-realize. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The only way out of this giant pickle… is in. Choose wisely. Spend wisely. Recognize what makes you feel good from the inside out… not just what just makes you “feel good” for a minute before you throw it out. See the people in your life and recognize who lights you up, who you’re grateful for, and who you’re allowing to weigh you down. Choose who you want to rebuild with. Not when businesses reopen. Not when you can walk the streets again with friends. Not when you can have dinner parties again. NOW. Now does not happen in some future you’re waiting for. Here’s the secret: The future will come to you. Best not to wait for it, because it’s coming whether you like it or not. It’s what you do right now that shapes which future comes your way. If you don’t change the way you live, love, do business, shop, eat, and make decisions after the biggest global shut down the world has ever seen… right now… you will spend your days wondering when your life will get better. When your bank account will get a boost. When you’ll stop fearing for your life, or the lives of your loved ones. Wondering why life can’t just go back to the way it used to be. This endless worrying and fear is suffering. When we resist change (which is inevitable) we are resisting the very nature of being human. Time is the definition of change, and time is all we have as a constant, always moving… nature shows us this in her seasons, her moon cycles, her weather patterns — both destructive and beautiful on the same day. Another word for this phenomenon? Evolution. As humans, we have the choice to evolve, or suffer. And nothing is inherently wrong with deciding to suffer! The choice is yours. (But you can bet I’m going to opt for evolution.) Cheers to having virtual classes happen long after we start seeing some of you again in person! Mollie Real talk: How many times have you felt like a failure in the last 24 hours? Me?
Those of you with kids... being (all at once) homeschool teachers, housewives/husbands, business people working from home, pet caretakers, responsible parents, the list goes on. How many times have you smacked your forehead today and thought: Ugh. I'm awful at this. To my fellow business folk: When you look at your dwindling bank accounts, or hear back from an unrealistic landlord, or cup your forehead with your palm at your makeshift workspace in the kitchen surrounded by dirty dishes when you realize your entire business model isn't working. (This is the part where you drop a handful of choice expletives). To the front-line healthcare workers out there, learning to fit new gear or retrofit gear when there aren't enough supplies. Having to make decisions about who gets a ventilator and who doesn't. Trying to comfort scared people when you're so stinking scared down to the tips of your toes. Fail. Fail. Fail. We have got to reframe failure. And fast. Lives depend on it. When I googled failure, the internet told me: Lack of success. Lack of. Also known as "not having". Or missing out. Or incomplete. And when we're lacking the one thing our great nation touts as the most important trait we can claim as Americans (ahem: success)... how do we expect ourselves to feel in times like this? That's the thing: Success is relative. And if failure is entirely dependent on success (or lack thereof), it stands to reason that if we reframe success, we reframe failure along with it. Let's look to yoga: The entire purpose of life, according to yoga, is to self-realize. That is, experience our world through our lens of collective memories in order to help us learn about who (and what) we truly are. That's it! No fluff. No nonsense. The purpose is not to "experience only good things that make us lots of money." It's not "experience only things that make us feel comfy cozy." Not even "experience things that bring out the best in us." Just... experience. Without boundaries or expectations, for the sole purpose of discovering more about ourselves. When we define success as simply learning by doing, then we tint the lens through which we view all the aforementioned experiences. Our life — and the impact of this pandemic on what we thought life was — takes on a different quality. For example, facing the reality that you won't be able to afford to have all 29 yoga teachers to teach their usual classes each week on Zoom because you weren’t prepared for a world economy shutdown; this is a lesson in compassion — for yourself as the risk taker in charge, and immense gratitude for the incredibly understanding, resilient people you've surrounded yourself with. Or... teaching your kids algebra. While your reasoning may be wrong because you've forgotten everything you used to know from high school, your kids get to watch you step up to the plate of being something you weren't just 1 month ago... they learn determination. And you learn a little algebra as they start teaching you! To our healthcare teams on the front lines: I can only imagine where your heads might be at. But with each passing decision you make (however gut-wrenching), you're learning on how to make more efficient decisions moving forward. You get better and better each time you act... even if the outcomes seem more gruesome. This movement toward efficiency is helping our nation learn how to deal with this virus — this is evolution in action. As long as you're learning — wherever you're spending quarantine, you're on a path of evolution. So today, as you encounter yet another thing you would normally consider a failure, pause. Reframe the moment. See your opportunity to learn. And if you still find that difficult to do, what about yoga? Why have you not joined us in a LIVE online yoga class yet? Did you know you can try it for free to see if you even like it? It's true: Use the promo code yogahiveonline for a 1-time 100% discount off a Drop-In Pass (with no mat rental!). This code is good through April 14th - 1 per person, please. And if you really need to pull yourself out of a pit of self-sabatoge/misery/pity/you name it... consider being a part of our 21-day reset with yoga, meditation and inquiry called BeAbundant. Details are all below... and if you're someone who can't attend the meetings, we record everything so you can watch on your own time. No more excuses. No more failure. Cheers to learning, Mollie   After I arrived home to Alaska last week, it was the first time in a long time that I really felt myself settle. I realllly slowed down.
All my trips planned through July are cancelled. My cell phone hotspot wasn't working, so it wasn't worth it to be on the computer. I didn't have anywhere to drive, or food to buy because we're stocked. And without all the things that normally fill my schedule, I found the craziest thing: Space. And although my mind still runs a million miles an hour, the content within has a different quality — backed by stillness instead of busy-ness. From the depth of my awareness (on a walk with the dogs), a thought popped into my head. When we slow down, we can speed up. Our mind has time to reset, to open up to new possibilities and new ways of thinking. And as I think about all those people on the front lines of this medical nightmare, I pray that everyone has enough time and space to breathe, reflect, and heal as we navigate this new path. And then it occurred to me that I'm not alone. The media/government reinforces this fact every single minute.
We go through these things during pandemics. We go through these things without pandemics. Despite what we believe in the Facebook feeds, Instagram stories, and highlight reels we scroll through on social media, no one is exempt from the pains of life. And no one is exempt from the joys of life. And right now, no one is exempt from COVID-19. We are all human beings having a human experience, and we're all in this together, whether we like it or not. The only difference is that now, we're all forced to slllllowwww down and actually see that, and feel that. And grieve that. And grow from this. So when you hear the whisper to slow down... to pick up that book... to finish that project... to air-hug your neighbor from a 6 foot distance... to show up to the front lines in your scrubs to care for those who can't care for themselves... pause. Deep breath. You've got this. And you are not alone. Here are Yoga Hive, Blaine (owner of Yoga Hive Colorado and a master teacher for our EMYoga training this summer!) and I have planned a new 21-day program with completely new content to reinforce this fact. We are proud to co-create and co-lead BeAbundant. Using virtual group discussion, yoga and meditation practice, we will harness the power of yogic technology to let go of resistance, allow creativity to flow, and see our world as a chain of infinite possibilities over the course of 21-days, and 4 weekly meetings. You will walk away from this experience with new friends who are interested in growth, new habits focused on your wellbeing, and a game plan for how to move forward in your life. The world is not happening TO you. It’s happening for you. This entire program will happen once weekly on Zoom starting Tuesday April 7th from 6:30-8pm MST. You will get a recorded weekly yoga/meditation practice to use daily during our program. Never used Zoom online video conferencing? No problem. We'll walk you through it step by step, and the software is free and easy! We will record all meetings, too... so if you can't make it live, you can still join in. In a nutshell? We gotchu. The standalone 21-day program, which includes four meetings + a virtual manual and day-by-day program instructions + recordings from Zoom to access after the meeting time, is FREE for any autopay monthly unlimited members (reply here and I'll enroll you free of charge), and costs $44 for anyone else. If you want to make a one-time purchase for a month unlimited yoga + the BeAbundant program, you'll get all that for $108. Click here to enroll today! It's time to rise up and dive deep during this time of cocooning, so that when it's time to emerge from this quarantine chrysalis and re-enter the world, you've got a game plan, a rock solid daily routine and mindset, and bold and beautiful butterfly wings to carry you as fast as you need to move. Slow down. Speed up. BeAbundant. Interested in seeing what online yoga is like before you commit? Try out a class -- on us. If you haven't attended online classes yet, you're welcome to use the promo code yogahiveonline for a 1-time 100% discount off a Drop-In Pass (with no mat rental!). This code is good through April 14th - 1 per person, please. Tell your friends — join us online this weekend to see what Yoga Hive is all about! In light, Mollie PS - If you don't have the means to pay but need BeAbundant in your life, please reply to this email and fill me in on your situation — I'm ready to help make this happen for as many community members as possible.  Let me put this into perspective: Earth is a tiny blue dot in a galaxy that is part of other universes and multiverses, to infinity... farther than we have ever been able to see with modern technology.
Also: We are but one human being on a planet of 7.53 billion people (give or take). Also: Our individual cells are but one component of 37.2 trillion other cells that make up the human body. Sometimes — in the midst of "social distancing" and "sheltering in place" and a handful of new buzzwords that we'll never forget — it's worth pulling back or zooming in for some perspective on what's going on in the world today, and within our own bodies. (And if you want to visualize this, watch this YouTube video.) These times — just like so many times in history — will be a blip on the radar of our life. Of course, there are going to be businesses that don't survive, others that thrive, families devastated from losses, and others traumatized from experiences all over the world in light of the pandemic. My intention is not to belittle the gravity of today's situation, which inevitably varies from human to human. For the vast majority of us, this could be a distant memory with varying small degrees of influence on our daily life down the road. Knowing that — and reminding myself of that — is a reminder that although my actions today could make massive waves for my future, I know time is passing just as fast as it ever did, and every day is a gift, just like they always were (and always will be). Every moment is an opportunity, and just because there's a pandemic doesn't mean opportunities cease to exist. Nature is still on our side. She doesn't necessarily want to be comfortable, but she wants to grow and learn. As long as we're on the same page with her, we're going to get along just fine. How do we get a place where we're comfortable with the pace of the world and confident in our every step with a mission to grow and learn? It comes down to letting go of an attachment to what "success" looks like. To what "bad" looks like. And for our purposes here, letting go of the attachment to what "opportunity" looks like. I remember this one activity at leadership camp where we were given the task of making a cup of tea, and we were given a bag filled with random supplies and 20 yes or no questions of our leader. As we whittled away the questions, and tried our best to use a bow-drill to start a fire (SO HARD), I remember toward the bitter end as we struggled to light a fire, someone came up with the idea we should ask our leader if she had any matches. GENIUS. It was the ultimate testament to creatively using resources. We detached from the idea that we "have to use the bag of supplies we're given." We had already gotten pine needles from nature (no one said the tea had to taste good!), and we'd figured out the cup and heating situation. We just needed a spark. And the one person who had identified themselves as a guide, a teacher, a bystander... we realized was actually our greatest asset. She handed over a match, we started a fire, made the tea... and FELT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS! We did it. I'll never forget that moment... and that lesson to look at my entire life as an opportunity has never left me. The life of Yoga Hive Montana is testament to this same truth. Our history has prepared us for this moment, as we lean on a massive resource we're lucky enough to have: five studios around the country! Today we join hands with all five Yoga Hives to bring you a virtual class schedule with over 30 classes a week from teachers, many local friendly faces, some new ones. You'll be able to use your pass at Yoga Hive Montana to take LIVE virtual classes with teachers here in the Flathead, along with teachers at Yoga Hive Wisconsin and Yoga Hive Colorado. Click here to see the full lineup on the schedule. We are grateful to lean on one another during this time to make sure Yoga Hive is around for the long haul. We know our creativity and agility — like any small business — is our greatest asset. So thank you for co-creating this new reality with us, and for meeting us on your mat! Don't forget to share the zen — not the virus! We are offering a QUARANTINE SPECIAL (couldn't help it!). It's $44 for unlimited yoga for two weeks of online, LIVE classes with Yoga Hive using Zoom. Your cousins in Minnesota and your grandma in Arizona can buy this pass and join the fun. We walk you through the process here. Don't have $44 but desperately need yoga? Or a CLUE about where your next paycheck will come from? Reply here with what you can pay. Your message goes straight to my inbox and will be completely confidential. We GOT YOU. In light (and gratitude I never decided to make my own line of tea), Mollie |
MollieOriginally hailing from Wisconsin, Mollie is a cheesehead transplant to Northwest Montana, with degrees in Retail and Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today, she lives off the grid, half the year in a Tiny House & half the year in a yurt — both of which she and her husband, Sean, built by hand. Nonprofit Executive Director by day, Mollie also owns and teaches at Yoga Hive — a chain of community yoga studios in the valley. Archives
April 2020
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