Inside This Lotus Letter 🪷

🙏🏼 Prayer and the little things

🕉️ Chakra Workshop with Aaron

😻 Cat Corner: Judy's Sport

📖 Book: Prayers To The Nature Spirits

Hello Reader,

I grew up in the shadow of the Catholic Church.

I say shadow because rather than a guiding light, it was more of a following presence. Always there, but not in front of me.

Both of my parents grew up as Roman Catholics: my dad as a French-Canadian Catholic and my mother, an Italian Catholic. And while I can say that today, both of my parents have a very close relationship with a sense of the divine, they do not have a close relationship with the Catholic Church. But early on, we still went to Sunday Mass each week. I attended catechism and received my First Communion and Confirmation.

Eventually, my parents decided weekly Mass wasn't very fruitful, and we stopped attending. My mom said we could pray to God whenever and wherever we liked; we didn't need the Church for that. Mom's bold stance against the Church, even in the face of my more devout grandmother, has stayed with me.

I like to believe there is a divinity in all things, even in our shadows–maybe especially in our shadows. I like to invite awe and reverence for the small things in life: my feet on the damp grass as I collect flowers and herbs, my cat sitting on my lap in the morning. There is even a divinity in the ache in my head and neck, as I sit here writing with a lingering migraine that is making my stomach a little queasy. Yes, this too is a reminder of this one precious life, the fleeting moments of what it means to be alive.

The world is full of pain and also full of wonders, and the beauty of it all is hiding in plain sight. Our task is to get over the empty labor of self-absorption, the centering of our worries and desires, and allow the world to fully reveal itself. Our task is to remember we live in relationship to a million moments of divine beauty.

So, as usual, I share inspiring words by Mary Oliver, who reminds us to find prayer in all the little things, and that the best place to pray is exactly where you are, right now.

A Lotus For You 🪷

Angie

Praying, by Mary Oliver

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try

to make them elaborate, this isn’t

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

Thank you to everyone who perused and purchased art during my Summer Art Sale!

People often ask me: How do you know when a work of art is finished?

My answer is: "When someone buys it, and it is no longer in my studio and home!"

To me, the circle of creativity is complete when I can share the work with someone else, and they are inspired to bring it into their own abode.

I will continue to have a few things out for sale at the yoga studio, and I will be updating my online Etsy shop. My work is also on display and for sale at the new Brick and Mortar On Main in Charlestown, NH.

I will be exhibiting at the upcoming Reading Greenhouse Art Fair on Saturday, October 31, and November 7. I will also have work at the pop-up art show at the Historical Society in West Windsor on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8.

I am excited to have sold one of my larger paper tapestries during the Summer Art Sale! This one has been well loved by many yoga students, and it is finally finished! Thank you to Janice; I am so happy it has a beautiful new nest!

Upcoming workshop with guest teacher: Aaron Hoopes

Private Session With Angie

Summer is a time for restoration and enjoyment of our natural wonders. It is also a great time to focus on your self-care and self-rejuvenation (I mean, truly, is there ever a bad time for that?!?!)

​Consider booking a Reiki session with me to help you restore and relax this summer. Reiki is a great way to cool down and rejuvenate from the summer heat and stress.

Deepen your learning in yoga, mantra, breathwork, spirituality, creativity, and more...

I have a few sessions open and have free 15-minute discovery sessions available here. ​

Private sessions offer coaching and accountability when you need support with:

• a personalized yoga practice
• a mantra practice to help you feel more balanced
• practices for breath or meditation
• a specific creative project or idea

​You can also book a private yoga session to work on your asana, pranayama/breath, or mantra practice. A private yoga session is a fantastic way to align and recharge your yoga growth.

Hit reply, and we can begin the conversation to ignite your transformation!

Reiki Sessions — An Energetic Relaxation, Rest, & Restoration.

It’s been wonderful bringing Reiki back to my community!

Are you feeling the need to gather your reserves and rest? Reiki may be just your antidote to the constant rushing of our world.

I have made time available for private Reiki Sessions: 50 minutes for $75.00. Sign up here. ​

Reiki Energy Sessions with Angie 50 minutes: $75, or Sliding Scale. Weekly sessions are offered at a discount. Contact Angie for more info.

New Kirtan Album

A Live Recording We released a new album, Pure Kirtan, live from May 22. Some oldies revisited, and a few new songs never recorded! Listen Here

Jai Studios: Yoga Classes, Meditation, Kirtan, & More

Yoga Class Schedule 🌑 Sunday 9 AM–Rise and Shine 🌑 Tuesday 11 AM–Be Strong, Breathe Strong 🌑 In June: Moving into stillness: Yin & Meditation, Thursdays at 10 AM 🌑 Thursday 6 PM, Strength and Ease, live music with Josh Hall All classes are about 75 minutes long. Our Studio is located at 1383 Rt 44, Brownsville, VT New Student Pass – 2 for $35. We offer multiple ways to join classes. See ALL class offerings

Prayers to the Nature Spirits, by Julia Cameron

Prayers to the Nature Spirits, by Julia Cameron "Since the beginning of time, the natural world has been our teacher. Parents have used the creatures of nature to instruct their children in the lessons of life. Now that many of our children and we live in urban environments, we no longer have free access to our teachers in the natural world. For this reason, I have written this book, hoping with the tools of rhyme, humor, and careful observation, to allow the nature teachers to teach through my work in a playful yet memorable way." ~Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way Check it out!

Cat Corner 😻 Welcome to the Cat Corner of my weekly newsletter. The Cat Corner showcases a diverse range of animal companions. I'd love to feature your beloved pet. Please send me pet pictures! Cat Corner: Judy's Sport Please send me your pet pictures!