2022 has begun (Like every year, I'm still training my brain to write “2022”).

How are you feeling about moving into this new year?

Did you pause to acknowledge 2021? (See my previous email.)

Have you taken a moment to acknowledge and celebrate what you created, achieved, became, learned, walked through, grieved, or let go of?

I’ve been reflecting on the idea of integration quite a bit this week.

You may know that at the end of yoga practice, we do the pose called Savasana. Corpse pose (I know, awful sounding name).

This one is where you lie down on your back, arms by your sides, legs straight, letting yourself be (dead) still and quiet.

Just breathing.

Doing nothing.

If you’re one of those who have a hard time letting yourself relax and be still, it can start out as an excruciating experience, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually kind of amazing.

When I first began doing yoga classes, I would leap up and out as soon as I had the chance.

I quickly learned to savor that pose, though.

I’ve had intense insights, revelations, even deep spiritual experiences taking the 5 minutes post yoga movement to find stillness in Savasana.

Why am I talking about Savasana?

Because it’s all about INTEGRATION, something that is key in learning, healing and moving into what’s next..

Taking the time to integrate all of the learning, the movement, the opening, the awakening, the releasing that takes place in yoga class – before moving out into the world and into the movement of things – helps us deepen our awareness of all that we’ve done and been.

And that awareness helps us move differently out in the world.

I’ve been reflecting on how – as we transition in life -and right now it’s the transition from the old year into the new year – it’s essential to pause and integrate.

I’d say that this integration work is essential – upon completing an important process (finishing a dissertation, putting together a community event, getting through another year of a pandemic, etc.), or upon ending a relationship, or after going through a serious illness or window of unwellness (or caregiving your kiddo or someone else through theirs), or having a baby.

When we pause to integrate – the learning, the being, the doing – what we carry forward with us is and what we DO in the world is that much more informed, powerful and grounded.

We are moving through intense times. And, as in an intense yoga class or healing journey, individual or collective, when we move through intense times, we serve ourselves and those we serve much more effectively by pausing to integrate.

So with that in mind and heart, let me ask,

o What did you DO in 2021?

o What did you LEARN?

o What are you PROUD of?

o What did you RELEASE?

o What are you still HOLDING on to that needs RELEASING?

o What do you WANT TO CARRY FORWARD with you?

o What did you gain awareness of that needs HEALING?

If you’d like to do a beautiful process of integration (where we explore these questions and more), to help you move into 2022 more grounded, prepared and potent in mind, body and spirit, join for Reviewing, Honoring & Releasing 2021, Visioning 2022, our next Radical Self-Care Retreat.

Retreat is happening Sunday, January 16 from 12:30-3:30 MST (3:30-6:30 EST).

In our retreat, you’ll:

- Be in supportive and awesome community,

- Be guided in a process to do this, along with other retreat activities we do - so you can just settle into the experience,

- Be held compassionately, whatever your process looks like,

- Have accountability to actually DO the process (which is often much harder to motivate to do on your own), and

- Walk away with intention and clarity about the energy you want to weave into 2022.

And of course, because it’s one of my Radical Self-Care Retreats, I'll be weaving in breath practices, connection, movement, and a bit of ceremony, so the learning and the healing settle into your nervous system, mind, heart and soul.

I know 2021 wasn’t easy for many. I know there have been so many losses – from the easy, convenient life things to bigger losses that have activated hurting parts of ourselves.

I know for others, 2021 held many moments worthy of celebration.

And we all probably have a bit of both, the hard and the celebratory.

I’d love to gather with you and our group and help you find the 2021 gems, release what needs to release, and then gather up the energy and intention for 2022, whatever it may bring.

Doing INTEGRATION is an act of deep self-care. It serves you and those you love, serve and care for.

And the world.

The world needs you well.

With love and many blessings,

Kelly

Kelly Lubeck, MPH, RYT