Love is Patient. Love is Kind. Good things sometimes take some time. - Jonathan Ogden, “Slow Down”

Welcome 2026! Please take the luxury of starting slow this year. This is the first theme for January for my classes. We are exploring the spiritual disciplines of slowing, silence and solitude, sabbath, and simplicity. 

Counter-cultural practices, yet they are the God-prescribed antidotes for many of our societal ills. So don’t feel guilty about taking the time you need to hear God’s voice to discern His plans for you in this new year. And then “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3) 🥰

My new year has certainly started slowly and quietly, compared to almost all of the other “new years” I have celebrated with larger gatherings of family and friends. Different, certainly, but still precious and lovely when shared with the Lord and even a few others.

As I write this, I look forward to sharing the first yoga practice on our theme with my in-person students on Saturday, followed by coffee and snacks with church friends. On Sunday, after church, I am excited to attend an online workshop by my yoga school, Living Soul Institute, with Adele Calhoun, the author of the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.  I’m sure there will be much knowledge learned to inform and share in 2026. Life is Good!

For 2026, my “word of the year” is GROWTH.  I am committing this to the Lord and pray that He will establish it.  Please join me!

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NEW OFFERING

The new thing you will soon see me promoting (if you follow me on social media or YouTube) is a FREE Online Workshop called “Christ-Centered Yoga Essentials: Practice Safely at Home & Feel Better Fast.” I will tackle some of the myths and misconceptions related to exercising at home as Christians over the age of 50, using Christ-centered yoga, and demonstrate how almost anyone can do it safely by paying attention to their body and modifying poses as needed.  The workshop will not be until mid-February, so I have only opened a waitlist at this point. Registration will open next month.  Here is the link to get on the waitlist!

Join the Waitlist!

Let me leave you with this prayer by Orin L. Crain.

Slow me down, Lord.

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace.

Give me, amidst the day’s confusion, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles

with the soothing music of singing streams that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations….

Slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise;

that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than measuring its speed.

Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak and know that… it grew slowly… and well.

Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into the soil of life’s endearing values

that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Slow me down, Lord.  In Jesus’ name,

AMEN.

All my best to you and yours in 2026!

Susan