Finding ambivalence on the mat.

This morning I attended Brigette’s Sunday Morning Bliss—a beautiful blend of meditation on the lunar influences, paired with delicious mindful movement. On our mat, we often explore philosophies and physics of life. In our practice, we get to experiment with these philosophies and physics and a good teacher like Brigette weaves these ideas through our practice. With time, we begin to translate these physics and philosophies into our life.

What I found today was that two things can be true.

And there is a word for that: ambivalence.

Growing up, I always thought the word ambivalence was more connected to disengagement as I associated the word “ambivalence” with teenage angst and feelings of apathy. On the contrary, the world ambivalence comes from the latin root ambi (both, on both sides) and valentia (strength, force, power).

Literally translated, to have ambivalence is to “have strength in two directions.”

And as I sit on the precipice of this next chapter, with India only 8 days away, I find myself straddling strong feelings in two directions. I am both excited and terrified. I know this will be rest and retreat from my daily roles and obligations, but it will also, very likely, require a level of isolation that I have yet to explore. I’m worried about how I will survive when all of the emotional security blankets I have will be absent.

Both things can be true, and more importantly, one truth does not discount the other.

So as I spread this philosophy across my life, I find myself wondering about the plurality of possibility, a concept I return to in this newsletter again. Because as my mind spins and respins its narratives, I’m learning to hold that there may be two truths.

This trip may be both exhilarating in a way that unravels me and grounding in a way that gathers me back in, returning me to myself.

Thus, if both things can be true, then it is only my mind that limits the narrative, trying in it's restless way to fit it neatly the story into an organized box. Maybe it’s okay that there isn't just one truth when it comes to the story.

So today, I celebrate both feelings. I celebrate the infinite options before me, and I rest, not in the stability of one option, but in the movement between the ebb and the flow of possibilities. I listen for the one that feels the most real.

At the end of class, Brigette invited us to consider what kind of peace we can bring into our internal world, so I asked myself: which truth brings me peace?

Now, I definitely don’t have the answer for all of this, and very much these musings are just a very public journal by which I try to disentangle the thoughts in my mind… but I urge everyone to consider that both things can be true and we can choose to put our energy towards the "truest" truth based on the narrative that brings us peace.

And this is our gift for being infallible humans: we aren’t blessed with the knowing of all things, but with our unending possibility to choose how we view things and the framework we put around our world with our words.

I’ll be bringing all of you with me to India.

From my light to yours,

- Emilee

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DON’T FORGET: LOTS OF NEW CLASSES ON THE SCHEDULE

Meditations with Patt. Patt is kicking off with some lovely meditations at 4:30 on Mondays. Register for her class tomorrow: https://momence.com/l/vrh2O5Pk

Early Morning Classes: Shannon and Yukari are holding down Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes from 6a-7a. I’m including quick links for you to register easily.

Tuesday 1/20 with Shannon https://momence.com/l/WQh2vyzG

Wednesday 1/21 with Yukari https://momence.com/l/e4hJne9G

Thursdays 1/22 with Shannon https://momence.com/l/9khOwyzg

4pm Classes

Mondays Meditation @4:30p with Patt. Register for 1/19 https://momence.com/l/vrh2O5Pk

Tuesdays Presence and Posture @4p with Carla. Register for 1/20 https://momence.com/l/z9h4k0QO

Wednesdays Wyld Within Meditation @4p with Evelyn. Register for 1/21 https://momence.com/l/5ehzb7ny

Thursdays 50/50 (Fast/Slow) @4:15 with Amy. Register for 1/22 https://momence.com/l/k8h75kLX

Monday Day Time Classes

Mondays All-Level Flow with Amy @10a. Register for 1/19 https://momence.com/l/ymhZD45r

Fridays All-Level Flow with Brigette @9a. Register for 1/23 https://momence.com/l/K1hWxkLZ

Karma Classes: These classes are donations-based classes and are available to anyone to attend. Donations go to an instructors choice.

Sundays at 11:15a with Patt. Register for 1/25 https://momence.com/l/8MhJvoxR

Thursdays at 7p with Sherry—for January only! Register here: https://momence.com/l/Elh514zQ

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Upcoming Special Events

Thursday 1/22 Wyld Crystals, Cards, & Cosmic Conversation ✨🌙: https://momence.com/l/dahedqlE

Friday 1/23 Kids’ Yoga Turasa with Emilee @5:30p

https://momence.com/l/J1hRl7bj

TWO EVENTS Friday 1/30

Self-Care Chair, Parafin Wax, and Reiki 15 minute sessions https://momence.com/l/Z4hWLvJX

Nervous System Reset with Shannon @ 5:30p https://momence.com/l/BGhDZ4qr

Thursday 2/5 Reiki Circle with Karen McCraw @6:45p https://momence.com/l/x9hBqJ1X

Friday 2/6 Restorative + Yoga Nidra with Elena @5:30p https://momence.com/l/z9h4aOgy

Friday 2/13 $30 Partner Massage Workshop @5:30p https://momence.com/l/b8h1vDDw

Friday 2/20 $30 Sound Bath with Erika and Wanda @5:30p https://momence.com/l/6khE7qPb

Friday 2/29 Polyvagal Workshop with Shannon @5:30p https://momence.com/l/lkhRvzdn

UPCOMING TRAININGS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Reiki Level I Certification Saturday 2/21 and Sunday 2/22 https://momence.com/l/0ehylmdr

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