Hello Friends,
In my movement practice, I have just completed a growth oriented phase; somewhat unsuccessfully, but it’s over and something new begins. This runs parallel to many of the symbols and signs of my professional life. In practice, I have never before intentionally sought to put on weight. Balancing training volume with quality caloric intake proved to be a delicate balance that tipped the scale toward catabolism, (breaking down tissue), instead of the desired anabolic muscle growth. I’ve historically sought to lose weight but my current longer term goals have required different immediate approaches. Parallel to this, my professional life has been in need of a growth phase, but resistance has allowed a preference for keeping my load light. 2020 brought with it an immediate shedding of commitments and the years following allowed for an erosion of community. My own fears and preferences have often allowed me to imagine the story of 2020 to be “the” end of my story, rather than an end of a chapter.
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The small community that has, and continues, to keep me afloat financially and professionally, employing my talents/knowledge to their benefit deserves much of my gratitude. I’ve witnessed relationships built and fortified before and after class; I’ve been blessed to participate in collaborative efforts to discover roads to better capability, comfort and creativity while being embodied. Buddhist teacher, John Kornfield, teaches to “tend to the garden you can touch.” My parents continue to be a literal reminder of this lesson caring for soil and growing food, adapting to and supporting the habit of their garden. The cycle of the year for metaphorical gardeners passes through a similar planting, watering, patience, and harvesting, that is informed by watching an adept gardener creating some stability in a chaotic reality. My partner Kaeti has been a partner encompassing many definitions of the word; helping reawaken a sweetness in my heart and a will to my psyche. Watching and supporting her in times of her growth these past several years, I’ve been contented living vicariously. As my cycle shifted to a planting phase, she watered in many ways including graciously opening the doors of her beautifully restorative space Root and Branch Bodywork to “our” extended and shared community.
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Root and Branch Bodywork has become a home for Architectural Movement and the small group, boutique style of posture and movement that I’ve been honored to teach for a decade. The 2-4 person environment reminds me of the vibe in teacher trainings. Small group classes continue to be held in Germantown, Philadelphia at Root and Branch Bodywork Wednesday 6pm and Sunday 8:30am and 10am. You can now sign up for class online, with small class sizes please reserve your space early. Class costs $20 with financial accommodations available by request, email a request for reduced or waived fees if this applies to you. Use promo code CASHPAY to pay in cash at a discounted rate of $17. I also teach Monday mornings at Aquatic and Fitness Center 10:45-11:45 for members of AFC. AFC has been supportive of me these past several years, giving me a home to teach classes since 2010 that has regrown to pre-2020 level sizes. There have been moments where I found myself very angry and losing trust in the past few years. In my state, I thought for months on how easy it would be to become completely disconnected from humanity - if not for communities such as these. All relationships end eventually, all studios will cease to exist or finish being home for me - a reality that became more apparent in recent times, but the times where you were supported will be with you forever. Eternal gratitude to all the places that once were home, all the amazing communities that I used to be a part of. The spirit that was born in those spaces will filter through to the communities that lie ahead - in this way all relationships become eternal.
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My local parks have served me well over the years, you’ll often find me in solitude on favorite trails of the Wissahickon Park, training in a pavilion or suspended from a hammock in the Schuylkill Center. Gorgas Park in Roxborough, PA served our community well when we needed outdoor classes, but time has come for “growth.” Starting with a special retreat on Friday June 30th (5-9:30pm) and then regularly Saturday mornings (10-11am) July 1st - September2nd I’ll be teaching Yoga in Andorra, Philadelphia at the Schuylkill Environmental Center.
I couldn’t be more excited for this partnership in one of my favorite places in the world, my living sanctuary, just moments from my home.
Sign-up now for Katonah Yoga: Growing Roots; designed for beginners, open to all.
Classes are $10 for members of the Schuylkill or $20 for general public.
I hope you’ll consider joining us and supporting the Schuylkill by becoming a member for as little as $50.
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Let’s use the light of summer to grow our community and ourselves. Another winter is perpetually ahead, but now is the time to build that which will take us through any dark times and back into a world of vitality and light.
🙏❤️
Noah