Joy and Woe

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour.

The opening of William Blake's poem, Auguries of Innocence

From 2004-11, I had a Studio in the East Village, East Yoga. Some of you may remember that I had the above quote framed on the shelves. However, I never knew that this quote is just the opening stanza of a very long poem that basically portrays karma and that life is made up of joy and woe.

I always loved it because it reminded me to slow down and see things with curiosity and reverence.

Winter makes me feel like a joy-filled child.

When it snows, I feel the excitement that I remember when I was little, growing up in Canada, playing with my older brother and sister, tobogganing down the hill by my elementary school. To me, everything is pure and beautiful, blanketed in snow. Like the earth has been tucked in by Mother Nature for a long winter's nap.

And though all the barn chores are much more arduous and time-consuming in the frigid temperatures, I meet them with gratitude and joy three times a day. After all, this is what I wished and waited for.

Perhaps you are on the other end of the spectrum and despise this season because like William Blake's poem,

Joy and woe are woven fine

A Clothing for the soul divine

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine

We are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional, and both can exist within the world and even within our own experience at the same time.

If you hate winter, you can take solace in knowing that Spring will come. Your task is to take care of yourself well now to ensure you are healthy and ready when it does.

How will you, like nature herself, slow down, rest, and prepare for the renaissance of Spring?

Is there one thing this week that you can appreciate, take in, and perhaps see with new eyes?

Take a moment to gaze at something beautiful; a landscape, sunset, the face of a child, your love, and of course, your dog. ;)

Ayurveda and yoga practices are tools to help you live in harmony with nature and to handle any situation that arises, be it joy or woe.

This week, in class and in new content on Kari & Co, we will explore winter practices.

Additionally, this coming weekend, I will be co-leading a Winter Wellness Workshop with Alison Grande through Katonah Yoga, using Ayurveda, Essential Oils, and Yoga Practices to level up your self-care this season.

Wishing you all a wonderful week,

Kari