In some other life
We are standing
Side by side and
Laughing that, in
Some other life
We are apart.— David Jones
A year without you has been like a year living an entirely new life.
Some days are bad, some days are good. Some days are perfectly unremarkable. But the days go on and there are more and more of them between us. Between the last time you hugged me. Between the last time I made you laugh. And the hardest part of it all is coming to terms with that.
That space just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I try to fill it with poetry and sunsets, fresh flowers and meditation. I set an altar and decorate it with memories of you and us. But it still feels bare.
They say you can never love someone as much as you miss them. I miss you every day, dad. And these days more than most.
I think about Ethan, whose death anniversary will always fall on the same week as yours. And I think how cruel it is that he's been gone six years now. His death changed me too, back then.
Ethan was unstoppable. He had great ambitions and a heart that never hardened. He taught me how to love and live and always say yes to a new adventure. His generous heart, contagious optimism, and happy feet meant the world to all of us.
His passing was shocking, unfair, and painful. And—it brought us closer together. Even with him gone, he breathes fresh optimism and joy into our lives.
We still dance—and sometimes cry—every time that Whitney Houston song comes on. We take risks knowing he'd be proud of our leap of faith. We share stories about being young and foolish and free together. And he lives on.
How cruel it is that he's been gone six years now.
But one day, I'll think the same about you, dad.
That's the bad news and the good news about the passing of time. Some days will still be bad, some days will still be good, and some days will still be unremarkable. But the days will go on and the heartbreak will become less acute.
I'll live a life that is right and beautiful and meaningful despite the heartbreak.
I'll be able to remember the moments we shared together instead of the ones we've missed. I'll live in your honor and know that you'll always be here. Because your life and your death are a part of me.
You are part of me. We're both—we're all—just stardust. ✨
✨ yoga etc. is my newsletter on yoga, social justice, collective wellbeing, and collective healing. Every week, I share a piece of me—a weekly dose of mindfulness—hoping it resonates. The best way to support my work is by sharing this newsletter with those you think might find a piece of them. ✨
Yoga of movement ✨
My class schedule for this week is below. This is my last week of classes before taking a week off for my final yoga teacher training residential!
Tuesday 1st February ✨ Rejuvenate ✨ a dynamic flow with options for all levels to ignite creativity, fire, and confidence (book)
Sunday 6th February ✨ Sunday Soul ✨ an invitation to slow down, rest, and restore through movement, yin, breathwork, and meditation (book)
Please try to sign up at least 3 hours before the start of class, and if you can't make it in real-time, you'll get access to the recording.
I'm also available for private and corporate classes, and I offer complimentary private classes to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations. Reply to this email if you're interested!
Yoga of action ✨
I'm tithing 10% of my income from my online yoga classes to organizations that are working towards justice, equity, diversity, and intersectionality. Every month, I'll pick a new organization and highlight it below. If these organizations call to you, please consider contributing (no matter how small).
My February donation will go to kindredpacket, a non-profit organization and movement driving positive change for East and Southeast Asian communities through the reclamation of heritage and identity.
Lunar New Year is when many in the East and Southeast Asian diaspora exchange red packets as a symbol of good luck; kindredpacket is extending this tradition further by organizing two weeks of gathering and gift-giving to raise funds for three different charities. This Lunar New Year campaign strives to encourage meaningful exchange among ESEA communities and beyond, facilitate the cultural appreciation of Lunar New Year, elevate and amplify ESEA voices, works, businesses, charities, and bridge privilege gaps through fundraising
You can support by:
Joining one of the Lunar New Year events
Supporting the ESEA traders & businesses involved
Offering a donation to the kindredpacket 2022 fundraiser
Learning more about the nominated charities and grassroots movements
Sharing and amplifying kindredpacket's work
Have a suggested organization? Leave a comment to share.
Yoga of words ✨
Grab a pen, grab your journal. Have a seat somewhere comfortable. Close your eyes, take a breath in, and let it go. Your weekly writing prompt is below.
What does self-love mean to you? Write out three affirmations for self-love (15 minutes)
Feel free to share what you've written by clicking the link below. But, of course, you’re also welcome to keep this practice as just yours.
Other musings ✨
Who owns Scotland? (Reuters)
On appearance anxiety (The Unpublishable)
Cancel Amazon Prime (The Atlantic)
You can get creative indoors (The New Yorker)
Thich Nhat Hanh on how to love (The Marginalian)
Black millennial parents are leaving a legacy of generational health (Parents)
"We were able to continue our discussion on peace, freedom, and community, and what kind of steps America could take to end the war. And we agreed that without a community, we cannot go very far. Without a happy, harmonious community, we will not be able to realize our dream." Thich Nhat Hanh’s friendship with Dr. King (Plum Village)
On repeat: chamomile by slenderbodies (Spotify)
I'm here for you—for class, advice, or anything you need or would like to share. Always a phone call/text/DM/reply button away.
LBC ✨
P.S. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends! And if someone sent you this newsletter, you can subscribe below!