Still Waters Yoga is becoming…
"True Belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are." ~Brene Brown
Hi friends, how are you?? Some of you we've seen in person at the studio, and some live on Zoom, but those that we haven't seen for a while, we know you are doing what is best for you, and we hope that you know we miss you and hold much love and good intentions in our hearts for you!
So I have some exciting news to share with you!! Exciting...and also nerve wracking and, to be honest, a little scary too. I'm bringing some changes to Still Waters, and I know change isn't always welcomed with open arms. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Before I share these changes, let me step back just a little. Take a moment, settle yourself, slow your breath, close your eyes, and think back to the day you stepped into the yoga studio. Whether it was the space in Monclova, or here in Maumee, can you remember how it felt to unroll your mat, to breathe, to move, to be still, to connect with others?? For many, the answer has been, it felt calm, peaceful, quiet, welcoming, warm....like coming home. And that's exactly what it was and has been for me too.
I began practicing yoga with Still Waters 9 years ago. I didn't know what I was looking for when I first came, but I can tell you for sure that it wasn't to become a yoga teacher. Never-the-less, within 2 months of walking into the studio, I found myself committing to Yoga Teacher Training with Kathie. This decision, that I arrived at on faith, would change my life in ways I could never have predicted. Over the last 9 years of practicing and teaching yoga at Still Waters, alongside many of you, I have felt seen, heard, valued, accepted, a sense of connection, and of belonging, that I have not experienced before. Still Waters quickly became my home. Better yet, Still Waters gave me a safe space to find home in myself. What Kathie began over 20 years ago has grown into the most amazing community, a space where, like me, so many of you have felt nurtured while you have grown and healed, and found home in yourself too.
So fast forward to today and my news....over the past few months, as I have taken stock in my story-where I've come from and how I'd like to see myself moving forward-I realized that, as I have taken on full ownership, Still Waters has evolved with me.
It's become... Caya Yoga Community!!!
In Greek, Caya means 'pure', and I believe that what's been created with this yoga studio has a purity to it-a wholeness to our practice of yoga that includes so much more than the physical. I want anyone looking for a yoga community to know, without a doubt, that at Caya, all are welcome here— we want you to come as you are and join our community! Which is the other thing that stands out for me...it's not MY studio, it is OUR community. And because we are more than a yoga studio, you will get more than just a physical workout when you unroll your mat. You will find connection and a sense of belonging- to yourself AND to each other; you will feel seen, heard, valued; can grow and heal in whatever way you need; you will receive acceptance, compassion, friendship. Just like so many of us are finding...you will become YOU!!
Along with our name change, I will be making public a new website with a new scheduling platform that works with our virtual platform, Zoom. While this may feel complicated, all of these changes, my intention is that it will be streamlined and that we can switch over with ease. My hope is to have the website live by September 1st. Fingers crossed! Other things may take more time, such as the awning, corner sign, and the studio decor.
The new logo will feature the Forget-Me-Not flower, which is layered with meaning and quite personal to me. I have it tattooed on my inner arm with the message 'forever wild' to remind me to embrace my truth and stay connected to who I am, always. (It's also a family tattoo in honor of my Grandma, Jan Wyandt, but that will have to be a story for another time.)
No matter what wounds, mistakes, regrets etc. that you carry, at Caya, all of you matters to us. We are all worthy, as is, right now, perfectly imperfect!
Until next time, take care of you and each other,
much love~
Heather
