iIt's been a while...!
So much has happened this month, I hardly know where to start.
We've finally set the ball rolling to extend our visa for another year. That means we will be returning home at the end of October 2016.
Emotionally, I've been going through quite some ups and downs since the beginning of the year. Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic to be staying longer in New York. Really love the city. For some reason though, when push came to shove and Manuel signed the papers, I felt destroyed. Was quite shocked at my own reaction. Half of me was euphoric and then there was this other part of me - literally a puddle on the floor. Needed some space to regroup and accept these (alien) emotions.
After a couple of days of frantic soul searching and (healthy) meditation practice, I finally saw the source of my grief: I have a deadline. Another couple of months, then this adventure will be over. Not that I'd want to stay here indefinitely, at some point the excitement of NY does get rather exhausting. One more year is perfect.
I guess this year is all about letting go, accepting change.
My studio will close at the end of the month. I gave my last class there yesterday. Class was really nice, had the opportunity to say goodbye to members. Am supposed to start teaching at the Union Square location. May take a break first though. The energy there is so completely different from the healing soul-soothing sanctuary of my former studio. Interestingly enough I am not sad. Feel a bit nostalgic, but not really sad.
Am very excited to enjoy the last few months of my NY adventure.
Had a good private session with M. M. last week. I had been holding a lot of stress (sadness) in my chest, constricting my lungs. A simple exercise helps open them up:
After some relaxed stretching (Dad, some free videos here, if you'd like to try this at home), lie down, stretch out your legs and breathe in deeply. When you've inhaled to maximum lung capacity, hold your breath for a bit (count to 5 in your head) then exhale. The following inhale will fill your lungs that extra bit deeper.
Do this a couple of times and enjoy the additional space in your chest.
If any thoughts or emotions come up, just breathe them out.