This Present Moment

My love for Otsego Resort stems from my love for skiing.  It is the only resort in Michigan for sure, and likely one of the only resorts in the US that you start skiing at the top of the hill and down into the valley.  It is often called the hidden gem of the North, because if you drive by, you will never guess from the road that there are ski hills there.  The resort began as a private ski club and opened in 1939.  The main lodge is very cozy-as are the sleeping the accommodations.

"O Club" as we call it in our family is a very special place, especially for me. My husband and I started going there when we first moved to Gaylord, when it was still operating as a private club.  We’ve been skiing and golfing there for over twenty years.  It will always be a special place because of those family memories.  My kids grew up skiing/golfing there and still do.  It is at this resort that Yoga-45 began ten years ago.  I often tap into those fond memories that include several of you attending.  I can’t wait for you to experience the warm, cozy lodge accommodations if you have not already.  We will be practicing yoga overlooking the valley in a beautiful rustic log room in the main lodge.

My favorite spot on the 4,000-acre property is what is called “the beaver dam”.  It marks the headwaters of the Sturgeon River.  I find such peace being there.  I hope we will be able to offer a hike out there during the retreat.  One of my favorite things for many who ski here is to hike out to the beaver dam and experience the winding river, listen to the water flow and hang out by the fire.  A river always reminds me that you can never step into the same water twice…it is constantly flowing.  For me, it reminds me of yoga.  You will never again be in THIS present moment, and like yoga I find the river very calming and peaceful.

Snapshots of Amy's favorite moments at the O-Club: Amy skiing with her son 2025 + Amy, many moons ago hosting "Ski and Stretch" at the O-Club+ Amy's little babies 10+ years ago

Why yoga?.…for me it provides the opportunity to clear the clutter, and the constant chattering of my mind by bringing movement, breath and mind together.  You must be present.  One of the ancient texts of the practice, The Yoga Sutras, states in 1:2, Yoga is establishing the mind in stillness.  To me, yoga is also about connection, community and growth.

This retreat, Rest and Resilience is about taking time for yourself, being vulnerable, and speaking your truth if you feel led to do so.  Finding the connection with like-minded people that are committed to giving one another the time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate so when you leave you feel refreshed.   My goal for you is to get what you need from the weekend.  It is NOT an accident that you will be joining us! 

I wish you contentment, a sense of calm and peace in this special place.  I encourage you to go out on a limb…after all, that’s where the fruit is. We are all more alike than different, and I look forward to finding that connection with each of you.  Thank you for taking the time for yourself.

Light and Love-Amy

I am writing this while I still have battery life on my computer.  My kids and I are at the house recovering from an ice storm that hit over the weekend. The aftermath is startling.  I still hear branches fall but I believe the worst is over.  My driveway is blocked with at least 15 trees down for the second day in a row.  I think it is much more intense than the tornado we had a couple of years ago because everyone is affected in one way or another over the multi-day event.  I am lucky.  I am at home, safe with my children.  I have a heat source, a gas stove and rainwater.  I am grateful.  I did not have a tree hit my home or car or house. Enough said.

Connection is a Life Force

Life teaches us through relationships of all sorts. Relationships with our education, our vocations, jobs, family, pals, and through all of this, we are given the opportunity to deeply know ourselves. And then, even better, accept  ourselves.

I go hot and cold with parts of me. Ha! Some of me is so easy to love and like and be comfortable with. And then the other parts— the spiky, the soft, vulnerable, dark parts… the parts that need extra attention , but hide until they are poked—Oh boy… That’s where the work comes in.

Thank you for the mentors who have lovingly and bravely partnered with me on this growth pattern. Thank you to the humans and experiences that have taught me through darkness that I have a powerful light and that my vulnerability and truth are necessary fuels for my voyage; Clarity arises and so does contentment….aahhh.

Facilitating sacred circles, hundreds, and hundreds of hours of yoga, counseling, my boys, my dear friends of all ages… my art and my quest for more emotional freedom, have all been light posts along the way. I have discovered that the Universe holds me; not only does she have my back, but I am held by her. I have learned to give myself permission to be held… to rest… to muster-up, again, the fuel for the next leg of the journey.

During our Spring retreat, I will share how I discovered true rest as we create our sacred circle and bond. I will share how I discovered the intoxicating resilience rest allowed me. Sometimes I’m a slow learner; not this time.

And you will share your stories and your tools. We will all grow. We will all recognize our divine similarities and patterns and gifts and zest. We are better for gathering. We are better for investing in ourselves in holistic ways.

We are comrades in arms.

Art creates a freedom that we don’t always allow ourselves. We will play with this.

Retreats create a space to be held while we re-fuel.

Yoga reminds us of how we create our own safety and expansion by “limiting” our bodies to a rectangular mat….while our minds rest and our bodies open.

Connection is a life force. And this retreat will hold space for all of this.

I love you. It’s easy. You are my teachers.

Namaste

Mary B

Come As You Are

Come As You Are

Once I was told by a yoga instructor that my shavasana was too big. 

Side note:  If you are not familiar with shavasana it is usually the final posture in a yoga asana practice.  A final space to integrate the practice into mindfulness. You lie down on your mat, spread your legs to the width of the mat, allow feet to splay, tuck your chin in towards your chest, and bring your arms to your sides, palms up.

I guess I was taking up too much space on my yoga mat? Were my legs out too far? Were my arms too wide? I am not sure. My initial thought was, “I guess I am too much everywhere I go, even my mindfulness practice is coming off as too big… loud…aggressive.” Too muchness is a feeling I have internalized at one time or another, in every facet of my personal and professional life.

And I am usually a person that can pick up what others are putting down. As a yoga teacher and practitioner, I am open to reflection on my practice and teaching- that is kind of the point. I love when teachers correct my alignment, I am open to feedback when a peer attends my class… and tells me what worked and what didn’t, etc. But I thought shavasana was more of a sacred space, an autonomous time where I take responsibility for my own self-discovery. 

Nonetheless, over the years I have done some shadow work on my “too muchness”, when it has and has not served me well. Above all, the lesson learned is I never wanted anyone else to feel alienated by me when I am the one responsible for creating a safe, supportive, and accepting environment. 

Kurt Cobain might have captured the duality of this experience best in his song, “Come as You Are.”  Here is a snapshot of the lyric’s sans the chorus and a verse:

“Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy Take your time, hurry up Choice is yours, don't be late Take a rest as a friend…Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach As I want you to be…”

It is said Cobain made the lyrics contradictory and confusing on purpose, to foster contemplation. With the duality being that even though individuals may preach unconditional acceptance, that is not always the case.

You might ask how this relates to the upcoming Yoga-45 Retreat? The short answer is that the Awake hosts mean it, we really want you to COME AS YOU ARE. 

But there is a longer answer…and that is we know everyone is coming from a different place. Showing up with varying stressors, demands, and preferences; coupled with distinct genetics, relational dynamics, and influences. We would never try to sell you a cookie cutter solution to rest and resilience. We only want to offer support, practices, recreation, and reflection to explore what your personal values and inclinations are surrounding these topics.

As you experience the Awake: Rest & Resilience Retreat we hope you feel seen and respected in terms of time, investment, and energy. That is why we offer experiential activities like yoga, art, nature hikes, sacred circles, and journaling time and freedom to do as you wish. With “extra” amenities sprinkled in (e.g., sauna, massage, astrological chart reading, and personal sound healing). You are empowered to tailor this retreat to your personal needs (with basic requests for communal courtesies and politeness).

Please reach out if you have any questions on retreat details, plus I have some closing thoughts on this idea of “being too XXXX” you fill in the adjective. 

One of the definitions of too is: 

“to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting, or right.” 

I hope you never feel “too” anything (in a negative sense), especially at an Awake Retreat. 

Mary, Amy and I only wish you feel:

-wanted

-that the possibilities are endless

-a knowing that you are exceptional in all the ways you desire to be exceptional and 

-permission to simply be “as you are.”