Is it just me, or is late April/early May one of the busiest times of the year? There's always lots of birthdays, graduations, outdoor events, vacations, meetings, working hard, and playing hard. From Tax Day to Mother's Day is a whirlwind!

And to turn the old "art imitates life" saying on its head - life imitates life! Nature follows suit. The bees buzz and bustle, bushes explode with flowers, and every bit of flora and fauna thrums with the energy of new life.

This is the season of rajas, the naturally occurring quality of speeding up and bursting forth! Rajas is balanced by tamas, the energy of slowing down and sometimes even breaking down. If rajas makes the leaves on the trees unfurl in the spring, tamas makes them fall in the autumn. Neither one is inherently good or bad. They work together to create sattva, balance.

Except I don't always feel in balance in the late spring. There isn't much tamas, or slowing down, to be found. An over-abundance of rajas can be intoxicating for a little while. It can feel like an injection of extra passion and enthusiasm in your day-to-day life.

I love to walk in nature at this time of year and take in the riotous, wild growth of spring. There is some mysterious cluster of yellow flowers I keep seeing everywhere that I have yet to identify. Bird song erupts from the trees and I half-heartedly dream about being able to identify that too. I squeal like a little girl every single time I see a butterfly, regardless of how many I have seen in the last ten minutes. During one recent walk in Roswell, I saw two different birds of prey swoop down and catch their breakfasts.

But it can't last. The tallest trees begin to choke out the light. Everything must eventually move toward balance. Being busy as the proverbial bee isn't always best for human beings. To us, an excess of rajas can feel like stress, anxiety, irritation, and just plain chaos.

The world will keep speeding up and exploding with energy, so I need to remind myself to slow down and quiet my thoughts. Do you relate? If you need help slowing down or finding balance, particularly during this season, you are not alone. Yoga, meditation, breath work, energy cleansing, and other practices offered through Many Paths Wellness can help you achieve a peaceful balance.

How Many Paths Wellness Can Help You Slow Down:

• Yoga Class Spotlight! Restorative Yoga: Using props to support your body, poses are held for longer periods, allowing you to relax and release tension on a deeper level. This class is perfect for those looking to slow down, restore physical and mental balance, and rejuvenate their energy. Suitable for all levels - no yoga experience necessary. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm.
• Bio-Mat session: Stress is the number 1 killer; it’s only that it works on your system over such a period of time that we don’t look at it that way. This quick 30-minute session helps to relieve stress and re-energize your body. Email Jessica directly at jessica@manypathswellness.com. We can even book your appointment right before or after a class, when you'll already be at the studio!
• Reiki Energy Healing for yourself or your pet: great for boosting your body’s own healing abilities to support well-being or recovery from illnesses, stress, mental/emotional struggles or even past or future stressful events. Reiki helps to balance your energy and chakras, helping you feel more balanced and centered. It’s like a massage for your soul and feels like being cradled in a warm cozy blanket.
• Private Yoga/Meditation Session (with any MPW teachers): Unsure how to approach your practice or even how to get started? We can help you get started or enhance your practice, giving you personalized guidance and support.
• Discovery Call: If your life or health goals seem to be taking a back seat, or you’re just not sure how to break through to your next step, know that you are not alone and there is support. I cannot share enough about the value of coaching, especially 1:1 coaching. Don’t stay stuck. Book a discovery call today. I’ll be the advocate for your dreams and show you that it IS possible.
• NEW! Bio-Well Scan: We're working on getting these up on the website, but you can book a Bio-Well Scan for $75 or a Full Before & After Scan set together with a customized Bio-Cor sound & crystal treatment session for $250! More info coming soon on these; they'll be on the website shortly!

Upcoming Events:

• Celebrate Bonds & Bends: Father's Day Partner Yoga Extravaganza: On June 16th, from 1:00-2:30pm, father-daughter duo Marty and Jo-Jo Steine lead a fun 75-minute partner yoga practice designed to be accessible for all skill levels. This Father's Day, step onto the mat with someone special- be it your dad, child, or a cherished one- for a uniquely delightful partner yoga experience! Explore the joys of synchronized stretching and posture alignment, discovering new insights into your movements and those of your partner. And the fun doesn't stop there! After you've twisted and turned, join us for a casual social featuring delectable donut holes! $40 per pair (please sign up as a pair).

• Retreat: We are thrilled to announce our annual Women's Summer Serenity Retreat in the picturesque setting of Big Canoe, Georgia, from August 15th to 18th. This retreat is a heartfelt invitation to women seeking a profound connection with nature, themselves, and a community of like-minded individuals. Last year's retreat was a resounding success, and we're excited to bring even more enriching experiences your way this summer. You truly deserve this rejuvenating escape!

Here's what one attendee shared about her experience last year:

"I absolutely loved my yoga retreat in the mountains! It was a truly magical experience that transformed my life. The closing ceremony opened my eyes—I didn't know I needed to hear those words or form those incredible connections. Thank you, Jessica, for your powerful guidance, compassionate teaching, and inspiring presence. I can't wait for the next retreat to renew old friendships and make new ones. Thank you again for everything!"

Join us for an unforgettable few days of tranquility, self-discovery, and joy. Remember, you are worth this amazing experience!

When your world feels like it is spinning out of control, you have to get very deliberate and intentional about resting. Purposefully set aside some time for yourself in these next few weeks. If it is hard to carve out some relaxation time at home, come to a place that is made just for that purpose: Many Paths Wellness.

In love and light 💗,

Jo-Jo