Happy Earth Day Friends,
Inhale. Spring has arrived. The luminous portion of the solar year continues to ascend. Growth proliferates.
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I acknowledged winter’s end, as I have for the past six cycles, retreating into the character of “her” darkest depths. I use the gendered term to intention the connecting between womb and the tomb that has long held a relationship cross culturally in our collective symbology. In the depths the old what was buried has composted and a new form is given nourishment that it might spring forth. At the bottom of a complete exhalation the next breath begins an opportunity for us to fill our lungs to their fullest capacity.
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I sat, stood, strolled, strummed (guitar), and sauna-d my way through 5.5 days of a fasted meditation retreat late February of 2026. The perennial ceremony is designed to begin a period of relative abstinence in a variety of forms with slightly different aesthetic and severity each year. Like many religious traditions I find it useful to experience restraint and reverent attention particularly at winter’s end. Our ancestors often experienced hardship as the apex of winter influenced us. We were invited to regard our resources and appreciate their value, if not forced to respond to the severity of scarcity.
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My own period of heightened abstinence has come to a close, though some lessons will influence the next season of abundance. Recent winters reminded me how quickly the storm can arrive, to what degree the cold can last and whence the dark can penetrate. It is best to be prepared and adaptable; travel light and find brilliance in simplicity.
Spring welcomes birth. New blossoms invite a sense of renewal. Hope springs eternal. The gardener is encouraged to plant the seeds for tomorrow’s harvest. May their/our choices regard the conditions present so Summer will begin a long and fruitful harvest.
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These days I find myself deeply immersed in practice and teaching. My own daily meditation, breathing, movement and musical practice weave between working with students and clients of diverse needs and interests in these four categories. If you are looking to move with an overwhelming welcoming community my classes at Root and Branch Bodywork are thriving and one can find many empowering offerings, including some new additions via Root and Branch Bodywork’s website. For hyper mobile folks looking to continue strengthening and stabilizing, Kaitlin’s Zebra Strong has added classes to the schedule and Elliot Gittelsohn can be found teaching Handstands and Flexibility starting in May.
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I recently began teaching at Balance Chestnut Hill, and am excited to train in their gym and learn more about what appears to be a very impressive community. I also continue to teach at Aquatic and Fitness Center in Bala Cynwyd for the past 16 years.
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I teach private lessons in all my disciplines, contact me directly if in person or zoom (for long distance folks) might support you in moving better, finding stillness or expressing your musical art.
🙏❤️🪷
Noah