proudly loving our inner foundation.

February 28, 2023

As we traveled this month from a New Moon in Pisces on February 18th towards an anticipated Full Moon in Virgo on March 7th, we have the opportunity to use our practice and time on our mat space to align with the major themes these astrological events provide us with. Each lunar cycle sets a framework that guides us towards growth and healing opportunities, so let’s dive into the wisdom this cycle offers us and align with that energetic influence.

On February 18th, the New Moon in Pisces held a theme of connecting to profound love. One of my favorite resources to learn from this Pisces New Moon was this Rising Woman's blog post written by Andrea Dupuis. Andrea guides us through understanding the soft, compassionate, and kind Piscean energy and ultimately reminds us that in our spiritual journeys we all are led towards the similar conclusion- that we are here to give and receive love.

Throughout the New Moon in Pisces, we are invited to set an intention to pour intentional, compassionate love into our selves. Andrea’s Rising Woman blog sets this intention so beautifully: “…nurture yourself with the deepest most proud love you can give yourself.”

Proud love.

(wow. that wording alone makes me take a deep breath.)

Set upon this foundation, we build towards the Full Moon in Virgo on March 7th. Earth sign, Virgo brings us a natural independence and attention to detail, energetically encouraging us to reflect upon our Piscean New Moon intentions with practicality. This Full Moon in Virgo gives us an opportunity to deeply reflect on our personal rituals and routines, on our inner foundation, and on any aspects of our lives that feel dull or unfulfilled.

Using the energy of this Full Moon in Virgo, we can tend to the inner foundation of our lives with care, using the tools and intentions that Pisces offered us at the start of this lunar cycle.

Some journaling prompts that might be helpful this lunar cycle might be:

What are my core values? What makes me feel whole, true, and energized in my unique life?

What routines or rituals do I take the time for that tend to/nurture my values?

What parts of my life do I love proudly right now? What parts of my life do I not currently hold space for here? How might I invite them in or create change in my life that makes space for those parts?

What deep acts of profound love will I offer my self at this time, that will help me feel recharged and strong in my own foundation?

This lunar cycle provides us the opportunity to reflect upon and fine tune the details of personal foundation. So take the time for some self-check-ins, maintenance, repairs, and tune ups with deep, profound, proud love as we build our inner foundation even stronger.

For me, this intention feels like a gentle reminder that we are not made to be a passive passenger in our own one, unique, beautiful life. While there are many systems in our world and circumstances external to us, we do always have our own choices and our own actions to rely on. In aligning to the call of this intention, we can feel stronger and more connected to the detailed way we protect our inner flame, the spark of our joys, our values, our passions, and all things good for us.

On our mats, we will tap into this intention in our mind, body, and hearts. From building some heat and strength in a chair series, to twisting and releasing what doesn’t serve us or what feels dull, to deeply recharging and nurturing our self in restorative stretches, we have the opportunity to align ourselves to the healing energies of this lunar cycle through our yoga practice. So, I invite you to join me in this intention if it feels true and good to you- letting it guide the way you move on your mat space and ultimately through the world this lunar cycle.

Check the calendar in the Upcoming Classes page and join me this lunar cycle on your mat space <3

Sending you deep love and gratitude, always. I hope the world is treating you kindly and that you treat your Self even kinder- may you proudly love your Self and your life.

miles of gratitude and lovin,

kel <3

who i am

October 21, 2020

If you've made it here, reading these words, thank you.

I am Kelly Watt. For those of you that know me (hi, ily) and for those of you that don't yet (hi, i am excited to meet ya), I wanted to take some space to introduce who I am and get connected.

I could (and probably eventually will) give you the typical run of the list of who I am (26 years young, born and raised a new yorker who now lives in boston, i love my dog etc etc).

However, I wanted to start by sharing a poem from a recent graduate class. In a MadLibs style framework, we were given the task of sharing "Where I Am From" and I think it helps to get to the heart of people pretty quickly.

So, here it goes:

I am from the loving eyes of porcelain cherubs that line our mantle, from handmade and tediously crafted Halloween costumes, from kitchen sink salons and any color you can dream of hair-dye. 

I am from the collection of blue glass that miraculously rises from the ground after it rains. 

I am from carrying around pet worms long enough to name and then set them free; from the duck-footed leaves of ginkgo trees that kept us living in fairytales. 

I am from hunting for buried treasure and orzo salad dinners while we rock on the boat for golden hours. From Watt and Kamerer and “wait, how are we even related?” and friends turned family.

I am from the echoes of loud voices and laughter that bounce off our kitchen walls, from seeing people often but deeply loving them like you won’t. 

From packing days with early morning sunrises and late night moongazing. 

From respecting the fragility of life and loving the magnitude of it at the same time. 

I am from talking to angels when items are lost or planes are taking off or people are suffering. 

I’m from eggplant parmesan carefully prepared over the course of a week and ri-gauwta cheese because what in the world is even a ri-cotta? 

From the grains of sand that follow me long after I leave the beach; the stickiness of the salty air and from the radiant warmth that lingers somewhere deep inside of me after days spent with the sun hugging my skin. 

I am from laying on the back of majestic whales that carry us up to heaven. 

And I am from the messy thrill of living, chasing the sun every day until then. 

(here is the blank version as well, which I take no credit to creating, but if you journey through it for yourself- I would be honored to read it if you feel like you want it to be seen / shared with someone)

Hopefully, this helps you to see a slice of who I really am outside of the typical factual and resume styled intros that we often are pushed to provide.

Maybe now you are wondering, well why are we here though?

Here's the path as I see it right now.

I have always been active in every sense of the word. It is in the fibers of my existence to want to do it all (and bless my parents hearts for all the times I historically needed to be driven across town 70 times in a day to all of the different activities I signed up for while growing up... and all the ways my 'do-it-all' schedule probably still stresses them out today...mom & dad, have I mentioned I love yall...pls don't ground me hehe).

Anyways, this all is because at the core of my existence, I am energized to be a part of.

I am thirsty for experience and growth and treasure creating and connecting with my self and the people around me.

In the winds and curves and luck and miracles of life- chasing things that light me up has led me here.

I've never believed that you have to pick one path to follow or to be passionate about (especially if you are following things that breathe life into you). So I am learning and honoring and joining the many different ways that I love sharing spaces of meaningful connection with the people around me- through yoga, art, music, travel and the outdoors, and hearty conversations.

I believe in holding on dearly to special lil community spaces and know that creativity, movement, and expression are all a catalyst for reaching deep into our heart of hearts and vulnerabilities- making these spaces even more special.

While I have many dreams for what this looks like and what shape it might grow into, I know at its heart it is rooted in sharing space together and building a loving community through the really profound and beautiful entry point that yoga, holistic connection, and creative expression allows for.

So, if this resonates with you and you'd like to stick around for more, let's walk together. Thank you for showing up here, I am really excited for what will come down the path.

Feel free to leave feedback, comments

but what about politics?

October 27, 2020.

In the midst of election season, politics sometimes feels like the only thing that we can talk about or give attention towards. I have been thinking a lot about a yoga teacher's role during these times as we continue to open up our classes to all yogis of all backgrounds, ethnicities, socio-economic status' (although the topic of accessibility/exclusivity of yoga in western societies is a conversation for another post), and ultimately all political beliefs.

We often are told to keep our political beliefs, opinions on current political conflicts, or who has our vote tied up safely in a box and hidden deep in our mental closets. However, from being on the brink of a presidential election to the navigation of COVID-19 to the social reckoning that is being led by the Black Lives Matters movement, politics have come to the forefront of many conversations; so what does it mean for the world of yoga during these really charged and intense political times?

Well, let's unpack.

In its foundation, the practice of yoga brings awareness to our body, speech, and mind; in 'working out' on our mats in asana, or the physical practice, we have the opportunity to then 'work-in', connecting to the mental and spiritual levels of yoga. We then step off of our mats, letting all of the work and all we have learned during our practice inform how we navigate moving forward in life.

In yoga philosophy, there are yamas, which act as suggestions for living an 'honorable' and yogic life. Serving as the starting point for this lifestyle, the very first yama is Ahimsa: a commitment to non-violence and non-harming, internally and externally.

It is a profound responsibility of our practice to move through the space of our mats with an intention of being honest with ourselves in this lens; to learn more about our relationship to ahimsa and all the ways we are violent or not violent to ourselves & the world around us.

As our physical practice acts as a mirror to reflect where we are at spiritually and mentally and emotionally, we have the opportunity to examine and undo our own harmful thoughts/actions/intentions and then move forward actively choosing clear compassionate action instead.

We can start in our practice by setting the intention on our mats to move through our asana with a gentle honesty, without judgment, and without negative super impositions. And in the absence of judging or harming ourselves, we have the opportunity to get to know ourselves with a renewed compassionate awareness.

And it only starts here. If we can do that work within ourselves and towards ourselves, then we have the capacity to do that work within ourselves and towards the world around us, including those who are different from our own self (...including political beliefs). It is our responsibility, as yogis and as human beings, to move through life learning how to undo the violent thoughts, judgments, and actions that society has normalized or desensitized us to and alchemize those tendencies into the capacity for compassion.

In the work of committing to living a yogic life, we commit to leading a life of non-harming and non-violence, which extends to be a commitment of standing up to violence against others when you know it exists. This means being a fierce and compassionate advocate for justice and equity for and alongside those who violence is put upon.

Of course this is no easy task and it is a space I am still learning to grow into for myself. Because as is life... it is work. There is a lot of complexity in learning to be this loving and fierce advocate while still showing compassion for people we disagree with. However, it is often said that people are hard not to love when you have the chance to see them up closely.

So while, yes, yoga is a space to move through the stress and find peace on our mats, at the deeper level there is a true commitment to growing into the best version of ourselves possible-- as human individuals and communities. What does this mean if it gets lost along the way and doesn't carry into all the small corners of our life off the mat? (including political space.)

I think we all have much to learn and work through in our practice of ahimsa, committing to a non-violence and non-harming in our words, action, and thoughts.

If someone lets us know that we have hurt them, why do we have a tendency to be defensive or even mad?

Why do we direct harmful words/thoughts towards our own body or emotions?

Where do these knee-jerk reactions or habits stem from? ...Fear? ...Shame?

"It is always easier to critique the world than it is to see how we have and are contributing to the momentum of violence and inflexibility." - Michael Stone

We are not fundamentally violent- we learn violence. So, that means we can learn to unlearn our harmful habits and then learn to find the starting place of compassion instead & notice how that influences all pieces of our life.

And to put it bluntly, it is the responsibility of yoga space makers & holders to welcome all people in honor of their differing points of existence. However, it is a disservice to the whole community to let harm or violence be perpetuated in that space (and in our life outside of that space) without an honest acknowledgment and effort to unpack, unlearn & then ultimately alchemize the fearful, judgmental, or shameful root of it into compassion.

While I don't have any "in 3 easy steps" formula for this work, I hope this sparks some thought, reflection, and paths of action for you; I am continually learning that the more I bring my awareness to this conversation the more paths become illuminated. It is work that I am continuing to unpack for myself in my own practice and life and space making.

& with that- I am grateful that you've taken the time to read through my brainwave. I am here for your feedback, thoughts, comments, and insights and anything/everything in between.

Let's continue on together.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Theresa

This summer, our community was offered ^a gist of this all^ as an intention to guide the time on their mats. Here you can find my Spotify Playlist that accompanied those classes and flows. <3

march intentions 2021

March 30, 2021

Intention: I will create the space I need to welcome in growth.

March, WELCOME.

I saw a meme the other day that said, "March, we meet again you raggedy ol bitch." And while I cackle, still, at that because of the way March 2020 entirely flipped our entire world, I also match that energy with, "March, I am READY for you."

So, riding on that energetic readiness, as we enter March of 2021 we prepare to welcome Daylight Savings which thankfully brings extra daytime light & sun into our lives as well as the Spring Equinox, in the Northern Hemisphere.

When I think of this time of year, I excitedly anticipate the rebirth and growth that (finally) feels just around the corner on our path. And after the darkness and isolation, particularly this winter, I sometimes am so ready to welcome this change.

Or, at least, I am in my head space. However, this year I am intentionally aligning and looking to all that March brings to inspire my emotional, spiritual, and divine growth.

We have an edge here, knowing that it is a pattern of the environment to enter this rebirth period- we are graced with nature providing an anchor and structure for us to hold onto.

So, with this gift of knowing, we have the opportunity to prepare.

Think of specific ways that you will yourself to grow over the next few months. What are you inviting into your life? Maybe whatever pops up for you in this moment surprises you, or maybe it's a goal you've had, whatever it might be-- jot down what it is and hold onto it for a moment.

Now, picture your entire existence as a container. You can only hold so much inside of you at a time. So, if our emotions, thoughts, patterns, and beliefs sitting within our container occupy space within it- what is sitting in the place inside of you that you are working towards welcoming in something more aligned to come into? We need this space to be cleared out in order to properly invite and welcome anything new in.

Imagine you invite 20 people over to your studio apartment (pre-pandemic l o l). And you have only have 5 seats to offer and really minimal space available for folks to stand in. All 20 people arrive at your door, but realistically, you can only fit 10 people (max, maybe) in your small city studio. Now, 10 people that you were really excited to spend time with have to turn around and go home. The same concept applies to the things we try to invite into our lives on the spiritual, emotional, and other dimensional planes of our lives. We cannot welcome in what we do not have space for.

And inside of our body containers, is a lot of programming, narratives, and negative patterns that we have been conditioned into using or thinking are useful that truly do not serve us or our purpose (and therefore, do not serve society as a whole). These are the things that occupy the space we need within us in order to not only invite in growth this season, but to also welcome and receive it fully.

To put an example to this concept:

I personally am inviting in financial abundance into my life this season. As a millennial, student debt holding, rent paying person- I have taken on the narrative of being broke as hell, that I will never pay off my student loan debt, that I resent money because of capitalism and I wish I didn't need this made up material representation of 'worth' because it has no real mirrored intrinsic value. I have probably said, thought, and maybe even blogged about all of these thoughts hundreds of times in the past few months alone.

This does not serve me.

I know I need money to survive and to thrive and to live the lifestyle that I desire, and yet the space I need within me to hold a positive relationship with money in my life is currently being occupied by my programming and my narrative of being told millennials are set up to fail financially, student debt is impossible to pay off, and even my own spiteful narrative of literally rejecting money and its existence basically entirely. And yet, I am irrationally hoping something inside of me will magically open up to be able to welcome in financial abundance? It is time for me to do the work of releasing those negative patterns and programs that were fed to me by society and give them back, because they were never mine to carry or hold onto.

Triggering my own self here.

So, with all of that being said- what does this look like for you across all of the dimensional planes of your life? What are you inviting in and what is taking up the valuable space you need in order to receive it?

Again, maybe a good chance to jot it down.

If this all resonates with you, I invite you to join me this month on our mat space to practice what it feels like to make space in our life. We will practice it in our physical bodies on the mat so that we can let it influence and teach the other corners of our life (our emotions, spirituality, belief systems, etc) how to do the work as well.

We will lean into the yoga postural tools of twists, holding the pose, and embracing the heat (tapas) built within us in order to rise to the challenge, the work, of ringing ourselves of to rid of what doesn't serve us and that is taking up valuable space within us in order to properly welcome in and receive the growth and rebirth we are manifesting into our lives during this next chapter.

I want to emphasize, this is not a practice of reinforcing self doubt or shame by looking at our perceived scarcity too critically or harshly. This is the practice of leaning into the strengths we know exist within ourselves because we feel it on the mat and we know we are capable of letting those strengths guide our growth on and off the mat towards our best, destined, selves.

As always, take what serves you and leave what doesn't. Feel free to reach out via Instagram @vanyasa_yogacommunity or via email or the comments below with questions, comments, concerns, and feedback!

I am walking this journey with you here & this is a new tool in my practice as well, so as Ram Dass says, "We are all just walking each other home."

Let's continue onwards and upwards, together.

<3 Kelly

february intentions 2021

February 5, 2021.

Intention: I will bravely release my energy into the world.

There is a Brené Brown quote that I have been stuck on recently where she discusses unused creative energy- how it is literally not good for us to keep pressed down and stored within our bodies. I first learned about this in a podcast episode of Black Girl in Om (episode linked below) when Chetna Mehta, a mystic mixed-media artist, unpacked Brené Brown's statement on creativity, "Unused creativity is not benign, it gets metastasized as rage and sorrow and judgment and shame and it can be destructive because creativity is such powerful energy." Chetna goes on to explain, "Creativity is powerful enough to heal us, to transform culture, to change the world. When we are repressing it by not speaking or moving our bodies or expressing, we are harming ourselves to some degree. We need the release, we cannot only intake and absorb and contain."

The pressure to stay small sometimes comes from within our own self (that inner voice that whispers shame or self-consciousness or fear sometimes relentlessly) and/or from external powers/voices (oppressive social 'norms', societal standards & expectations that keep you on a narrow path, & systems that were built upon capitalism, racism, and sexism that work hard to keep a lot of people small). Ultimately, while some of these powers at be are hard to push against- it serves no one (not ourselves & not others & not our relationships) for us to play small or force parts of ourselves and our energy to stay contained.

So, in the aspects of our lives where we can push back and allow this brave release of our energy, where can we practice it and how might we apply it????

Throughout the month of February, we will lean on yoga to practice this on our mat space by letting ourselves move playfully & in new, creative ways without judgement or shame. To let ourselves intentionally take up space and allow for that release of energy into the world-- expressively, boldly, and freely-- in our physical movements so that we can then carry it with us when we step off our mats & into the rest of our lives.

This practice of bravely releasing our energy & beauty into the world (in the form of your talents, creativity, love, voice, knowledge, etc) is truly a radical act of love for your own self and for the people around you (not to be dramatic!!! I genuinely, wholeheartedly believe this.)

It is good for your soul and your body to release this energy rather than fight it or be forced to contain it- where it later would explode sideways in a potentially harmful way (circling back to that Brené Brown quote at the top).

In my own journey through this all, I try to notice where else I practice these intentions in my life.

So here's a small small small example for you:

I'll start by saying, hair is literally just hair and I while don't want to put too much power into our physical traits- I do think this tracks as a tangible example re: this intention.

As a baby, I had curly curly hair and ringlets in about every picture. And then when I hit school-age (and baby hair started to age/evolve) I had not a single clue of how to take care of curly hair (especially considering that every other person in my family, my friends, etc had entirely different hair textures- mostly straight or soft waves). And while I didn't realized it at the time (and it definitely was partially creative expression in a different way) I couldn't be caught at that time without a bandana on my head (and for many many years- it was specifically sponge bob themed aka the different creative expression...lolol).

However, in retrospect, this eventually evolved into dependency on a hair straightener when bandanas were no longer allowed in middle-school (which feels like a whole other soapbox to get on and unpack). Since then, I straightened my hair daily through all my teen years, college years, and into my young adulthood.

And then two years ago, at almost 25 years old, I finally tossed the straightener and took the time to learn how to take care of my curly hair (an enormous shout out to the many Black Womxn and Womxn of Color who led the way & created curly hair products & tutorials & are the resources of a lot of the curl care education/information out there that the 'curly community' leans on). Because of them, I finally learned to understand (mostly) and take care of this curly & big & wild piece of me that I literally spent so many years fighting against and trying to contain. And again, while hair is just hair-my point in sharing this story is to say that directing this type of TLC & intentional release of judgement/containment, and finally directing loving & accepting & permission granting energy towards ANY part of ourselves can be transformative and eventually seep into the rest of our existence if we let it (and that's the yoga y'all- the uniting moments of our life).

So, what will this look like for you????? Maybe this month you'll make more art, write/tell your stories, sing more songs, openly love on more people, offer your advice or expertise from your seat at the table (or from across the hall if there isn't a seat made for you yet)...

Whatever it might be that you finally release into the world after the big fight or forceful pressure to contain it.....just know we are ready for ya.

As always, take what serves you from this brain dump and leave what doesn't. Reach out with any thoughts/comments/questions/etc and check out the calendar to join us on the mat this month! <3

xx kelly

PS check out this month’s Spotify Playlist & the referenced Black Girl In Om Podcast episode below:

january intentions 2021

January 20, 2021

Intention: Supporting our Self and stepping into our power.

2021. Here we are!!!

While I personally have big hopes that this year will bring the freshness and progressive changes that we need so deeply here in America, I am reminded that even though 2020 is now behind us--nothing around us will change unless we do.

Unless we individually reset and check in with what support we need, reestablish our personal values and goals, reaffirm our intentions, and reconnect to all of this within our own self first. Only then can we step into the world with a renewed and open channel to all of our power and potential to make good changes in our world and life.

With all of this in mind-- this month on my mat I have set the intention of connecting & supporting my own inner self so that I can step into all of my potential and power this year.

No small task, right???

I am guided through this personal check in by leaning into the knowledge of self provided by the Chakra system. While the Chakras are not in my personal lineage, the more that I learn about this map of the body and all of the information it holds, the more insight and healing doors it has opened up in my practice-- I give credit and gratitude to the peoples responsible for early Hindu & Buddhist writings/text and ancient Tantric traditions throughout ancient India.

Chakras live in our 'subtle' body-- our non-physical, energetic, psychological, and emotional body-- and are believed to be energy centers/hubs. Each Chakra is the seat of specific psychic & emotional energies within our self and by bringing our attention to each of the seven main Chakra centers throughout our yoga practice allows us to enhance our mind-body connection and potentially balance or open different 'layers' of our emotional/spiritual self.

I find it helpful to be guided by the Chakras in my physical practice so that we can spend time in each essence and intentionally lean into yoga postures that allow us to bring our attention to each Chakra individually. Then, we can gather the information we need about or own self-- for example, when you are in an intense hip opener like malasana squats (squatting low at the top of your mat, with your feet mats-width distance apart and your hands at heart center, letting your elbows gently press against the inner edges of your knees as you open your hips & send your tailbone down towards the earth and the crown of your head lightly towards the sky ) do you feel a shortness of breath or feeling of anxiety in the discomfort? What information does this offer us? According to the Chakra system, hip openers are aligned with our Sacral Chakra (our second chakra) which is the seat of our emotions, intimacy, and creativity. If we are super tight here and feel discomfort physically and emotionally, what energy might be stuck?

Going deeper into this example- in a podcast episode of Black Girl in Om (episode linked below) Chetna Mehta, a mystic mixed media artist, unpacked Brené Brown's statement on creativity, "Unused creativity is not benign, it gets metastasized as rage and sorrow and judgment and shame and it can be destructive because creativity is such powerful energy." Chetna goes on to explain, "Creativity is powerful enough to heal us, to transform culture, to change the world. When we are repressing it by not speaking or moving our bodies or expressing, we are harming ourselves to some degree. We need the release, we cannot only intake and absorb and contain."

So, again- what does your tight hips and hard to open Sacral Chakra (seat of creativity, emotion, and intimacy) say about your subtle body? Are you giving yourself permission to creatively express yourself and to feel good and release all the energy that is potentially stuck or blocked there? What might you need to bring some loving attention to?

On our time on the mat this month, we will let ourselves notice moments of insight like this. And once we are there, we can offer our own self some opportunities for opening, physical self-support, TLC, and affirmations throughout class (which is also just a great empowering reminder that all the tools for healing and love and support we need we can find within our self-- we do not need to always look for this someone else, but that's a blog for another time).

At the jump of this new year, with resolutions and goals aside, the most important work we can do is the work of supporting and loving our own self. Only then can we really step into our power and potential in all corners of our life!

Connecting to this intentional work of finding safety, peace, and support in our own body feels especially important when everything around us feels consistently chaotic. This resonates deeply for me at this moment in time, as an American human- given the coup attempt at the Capitol Building, a transition into a new presidency, and the continued surge of COVID-19 paired with the exhaustion & grief that we are not equipped to carry, amidst the many other layers of personal, community, national, and global chaos we all face this month alone already.

So with that- the time and space on our mat, of connecting and supporting our self, feels of the utmost importance so that we can step into the rest of the year aligned and ready to be the incredible agents of love and change and purpose that we are meant to be in the world.

As always, I invite you to take what serves you and leave what doesn't. I hope to see you, virtually, this month-- feel free to reach out with any thoughts/feedback/or comments.

Wishing y'all moments of love and joy in your corners of the world <3

PS below you will find January's Spotify playlist for class as well as the podcast episode from Black Girl in Om where mystic artist Chetna Mehta dropped her insight and wisdom on creative expression-- enjoy!!

small business saturday yoga series

December 10, 2020

But make it ~every~ Saturday!!!

I think this year more than ever we are reminded of the absolute hustle that small business owners crush and the endless hurdles they have to jump in order to provide us all with quality work that comes from their heart and soul -- otherwise they definitely wouldn't be fighting daily to climb that mountain.

Like many of us, I have really been striving to redirect my attention and investments away from big corporations/chains and into small businesses where I can (which honestly I am realizing is possible in most corners of life). And so, every Saturday class for the month of November and continuing into the month of December we have been spotlighting a creative small business!

For this Small Business Saturday Yoga Series, yogis have registered for a 60 minutes vinyasa class for $20 via zoom and left with a $10 discount code to the feature small business. We've gone from artists to fashion to herbal magic and will continue to new directions later in December! (yeeeeee!!!)

((I realize there is no way for you to really feel this without hearing the sound of my voice but shhhheeeeesh I am/have been absolutely giddy over this series))

In this series, we have put some incredible & creative small businesses and independent artists in the spotlight whose work and missions align with all that I hope to elevate and offer in my community spaces- I continue to be so blown away by the creations that exist and the hearts behind them.

To walk down memory lane here are some of the small businesses that were a part of this series and some links to where you can access their work in case it aligns with something you've been seeking.

Artist, Rocky Cotard

(so damn cool in general and his art embodies that)

Growing up in Haiti, my mother instilled in me a passion for fashion. I fostered a love for combining colors careless for how I am perceived but rather allowing what's within to come out. In many ways clothing is my first sense of expression. I hope the colors and designs I have come up with can be a support in your finding your expression. Rocky Cotard

Find his work here: https://www.rockycotard.com/shop

Artist, Jade Tantillo

(absolute sweet angel of a human and fierce/female-empowering creative)

My style of art is ever-evolving. Many of my pieces are tantalizing and suggestive, whether socially or politically. It's my goal to create a clear, consistent, and recognizable style that drives inspiration into others' minds. Jade Tantillo

Find her work here: https://www.jadetantillo.com/prints

Fashion, White Denim Boutique by Natalie Puentes

(independent fashion & woman owned-- a personal fav of mine because it is so so cool to see family chase their dreams)

Fashion has always been a passion of mine & I have always had this dream of opening my own boutique. I wanted to offer trendy and affordable clothing & accessories for women. A few months ago I decided to follow my dreams and open up my dream business. Natalie Puentes, owner and creator of White Denim Boutique

Find her boutique here: https://whitedenimboutique.com

​Plant Magic, Sacred Smoke Herbals

(the offerings that this shop provide are one of the cornerstones of my practice and peace... I trust and lean hard on their magic to help me create new sequencing, playlists, and intentions each month and even more so it helps me to be in the right headspace to hold meaningful space for other yogis joining me in practice, movement, and connection. Truly, I can't say enough good things.)

Made by hand & heart with intention. Sacred Smoke Herbals, a woman-owned shop, is a collection of plant spirit offerings handcrafted by women and sourced with the intention of honoring Mama Earth, elevating your rituals, soothing the mind + body + soul, and supporting everyday magick through transformation & connection. Because for millennia people + cultures have called on the spirit of plants. Andrea, owner of Sacred Smoke Herbals

Find the magic here: https://sacredsmokeherbals.com

A lil side note: I am suuuuper pumped for these next ones because as I continue to let my heart lead my practice (and life) always into a more progressive, ethical, sustainable, and accessible love for people and the planet... I was led to these next two offerings:

Sustainable Fashion, Purusha People

(A women-owned, etsy shop turned business, hand-made & ethically-made sustainable yoga wear. And it doesn't end there...Purusha People announce on their site, "Our brand is a small one, but we are honored to give back. A portion of proceeds goes to sponsoring 2 children and their villages in Africa through worldvision.org." I just recently discovered this small business and the more I learn about them, the more I absolutely love their work.)

I still felt like I had something to offer. My desire to create and share just would not go away. There was nothing to lose anymore because I didn’t really have anything. Pat asked me one broke ass summer day, what is meaningful to you? Immediately I said it was to make something beautiful. What’s beautiful? Clothing that is authentic, inspired by nature, conscious, ethical, sustainable. Clothing like I used to make, the epitome of what yoga is in a material form. Hayley, owner and creator of Purusha People

Find her work here: https://purushapeople.com/?ref=yogawithkellywatt

(and!! as a yoga teacher ambassador for this inspiring brand, I'm pumped YOU can receive 10% off by following this link or using the code: KELLYWATT)

And then to round up this blog, we will end with a bigger (but still big-hearted) business shout out that aligns with the heart of the work I am hoping to elevate this series, and hopefully you will find serves your personal practice if you or someone you know are on the market for some yoga products.

Eco-friendly Yoga Products, JadeYoga

(I feel so sentimental about this one...the first mat I ever bought myself when I really felt connected to yoga for the first time in a deep new way -in 2014!! sheeesh time flies- was a JadeYoga mat. Their Travel Mat has literally traveled the world with me, from NY to New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, Copenhagen, Sweden, Paris, and soooo many other places. Traveling and yoga are two of my favorite ways to stay connected to my self and my peace- so what a freaking amazing thing to get both at the same time and connect with my own practice and see yoga studios around the world with my travel mat-which is an easy fit into my carry-on backpack straps!)

(p.s. I also 'taught' my first ever yoga class, not certified & just passionate lolol, to my sweet sweet friend Irenee on the beachy and magical shores of Kona, Hawaii at the start of our study abroad trip through the south pacific in 2015 on this travel mat....okay end my own personal sentimental rant....let's check out their stuff)

Jade is committed to making the world’s best performing, most environmentally friendly yoga products and giving back to the earth with every product sold...made right, natural rubber is both the most eco-friendly and best performing yoga mat you can get. We are committed to giving back to the earth with every product sold. We want to leave the earth a better place than when we found it. As Jade mats come from trees, we decided to give back by planting a tree for every mat sold. And since 2006, through our partnership with Trees for the Future, we have done just that, planting over One Million trees so far. Through our “Community Partners” program we also try to help out many very special people and organizations trying to bring yoga to those who might benefit from it, but might not otherwise have a chance to try - from schools to prisons and from hospitals to shelters. JadeYoga

Find their shop here: https://bit.ly/2K6fnI6

I realize this year has been particularly challenging for many of us-- & especially financially as unemployment spikes and businesses are continually closing throughout this pandemic. So, if you find yourself in a position to be able to support small and meaningful businesses at this point in the year, or know someone who is looking for different businesses to support, this is for you!

Please feel free to shout out other small, creative, and meaningful businesses that have your heart and support in the comments of this post. For me, this is just the start of finding a way to make my life and my practice more meaningful by elevating and spotlighting others who are out there making absolute magic, following their dreams & passions, and perpetuating goodness in this world.

As always, sending you all of the appreciation and love and wishing you safety, health, peace, and fulfillment for the rest of 2020 and into this new year. Until next time <3

november intentions 2020

November 11, 2020.

This time of year can be a lot.

The days get dark earlier, the air is getting (sometimes unbearably) colder, and the holiday season is rapidly approaching... with what feels like a reckless disregard of our readiness or if we are missing someone that usually would fill a seat at our table each year.

Of course, it can also be an extremely beautiful time of year. With the holidays giving us excuses to gather and show the people around us that we love them, the uplifting and feel good movies/music, and feeling hugged by that cozy nostalgia.

For me, I often find that with November creeps in my winter habits of closing off and wanting to hibernate until warmer weather and sunshine comes again. As 2020 has already stirred up its tidal waves of chaos and turmoil for the world, I can honestly acknowledge that I have been anticipating this winter season with pre-emptive negativity and concern.

So as this transition into winter is undeniably beginning (...we have already had our first snow fall in Boston...how...) I am working to be honest with my worries and instead of trying to plow through them or letting them weigh me down, I will use that honesty to direct my intentions this month.

This November, I will still let myself turn inwards. However, instead of being guided by anxiety, I will turn inwards with the intention of leaning into 'hibernation' in order to connect deeper with my sense of self. In an external world that can feel really chaotic, it's so important that we find the seat of peace and build the home we need and seek within ourselves.

I move with the words of Brené Brown echoing in the caverns of my self:

Strong back, soft front, wild heart.

Brené Brown

By moving on our mats this month with the intention of literally and physically building a strong back line of our body and opening/softening the front line of our body, we then can tap into and free our wild hearts. And as we use our asana, our physical practice, to practice this concept on our mat space we can encourage it to seep into the practice of our mind and spirit.

In her book Braving The Wilderness, Brené Brown discusses meeting Maya Angelou after her own feature on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday (...p.s. I literally just felt the magical power of that trio just by typing their names in the same sentence, w o w..) After listening to Brené Brown talk, Maya Angelou came up to her and told her firmly, "Brené, do not be moved.." referencing Angelou's own line, "Like a tree planted by the river, I shall not be moved."

Brené goes on to tell the story, explaining how up until then she had spent the majority of her life moving to try to fit in and feel like she belongs. And then she asks herself, what do you do when the Maya Angelou tells you not to be moved? Brené says, "...You learn how to plant your damn feet. You bend and stretch and grow but you commit to not moving from who you are...at the very least you start trying."

In the practice of 'hibernating' this November and turning inwards, deeply connecting to our self, we are taking the time we deserve to practice self love, acknowledge our inherent self worth, and work to live bravely and authentically in that light. Courageously and fiercely planting our feet so that we too can continue to grow and stretch and bend, and not be moved from who we are.

To have a strong back, a soft front, and a wild heart because of, and in honor of, the work it takes to feel deeply, authentically connected to our sense of belonging in the home of our self.

There is an interview with Maya Angelou on this idea of belonging-- the interviewer asks her questions like, "Do you belong anywhere?" and she calmly says, not yet. And then they ask her, "Do you belong to anyone?" and she answers, "More and more. I mean, I belong to myself. I am very proud of that. I am very concerned with how I look at Maya. I like Maya very much. I like the humor and courage very much, and when I act in a way that doesn't please me... I have to deal with that."

I think this is the heart of the work-- and where I hope this November intention guides us this month. This is the practice of building a nest within the deepest heart of our self-- a place to come back to that will always hold, nurture, and protect the truth of our existence. The place we go to feel connected to our purpose and to inhale after a long and trying day. The place of feeling belonging in our self.

We can get there by working on our strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts-- as we connect deeper and learn how to not be moved away from our own self this month.

I hope that you take what serves you from this and feel free to leave behind what doesn't. & whether it is inspired by your own intention or mine, please join me on the mat this month via zoom!

You can find the monthly calendar on the menu tab & register for classes there <3

And check out my November Flow playlist on Spotify that we will be using to help guide our flow and connect to this intention throughout the month.

Please reach out with any thoughts, questions, or comments that pop up! Thank you for taking the time to read through my brainwaves this month. And if you are looking for something to do with friends, family, or coworkers this holiday season (virtually) feel free to reach out about how we can plan/host a special event and give your community the gift of a guided yoga flow paired with a card reading or creative activity this season!

Let's continue onwards together.

december intentions 2020

December 10, 2020.

As we enter the month of December, the last month of 2020, this time of year usually opens the door to start reflecting on all that has happened this past year. And just wow. 2020 was a lot-- individually and as an entire global community.

As I start my personal processing and reflections on 2020, the word that continues to pop into my headspace is the word alchemize.

al·chem·ize (v.) to transform

The word alchemize in this context reminds me of an ideology that actually stems from improv comedy,"Yes, and", which is known as the acceptance principle. So in an improv comedy show when someone on stage says something, you automatically accept it as truth-- the yes. The and piece of this principle is how you then build on the reality that is set.

2020, to me, feels like "Yes, and".

Because this year yes we have had to accept really challenging & harsh realities and we have had the duality of the moments of life & growth that we've leaned into this year.

Ultimately, it is said that life transforms and influences us and that we transform and influence life. Yes, 2020 was extremely difficult and somehow we have individually and collectively grown so much because of it.

A lot of extremes exist in the dichotomies of this year. I am always wary of what can sometimes feel like toxic positivity (which can feel like a frustrating and invalidating downplay of the struggle that exists) and this intention setting for me is actually meant to be quite the opposite. Because some things that happened throughout this year have just been horrific and sad and impossibly frustrating. I whole heartedly believe that those really negative experiences need our respect and acknowledgement in order for us to eventually be able to grow and move through them.

This is where the alchemizing happens. Only once we reckon with the challenging pieces of life can we then eventually move into recognizing any way that we have progressed out of the hurt or acknowledge any threads of growth or love that can be found in those experiences. And then we can let both exist in their duality. Yes, and.

So this month on my mat space, I am working to find a way for discomfort and challenge to exist in my physical practice while also, somehow, dually embracing the sweetness of the space that is created afterwards (I'm lookin at you, my tight tight hips). By practicing embracing and honoring these "yes, and" moments in our physical practice, we then can let it seep into our emotional, mental, spiritual corners of our life as we work on the absolute complexity of reflecting on this past year.

This month on our mats we will work to process and reflect on 2020 & prepare to move forward into 2021 together, carrying all the dichotomies that this year gave us and letting it influence how we move forward in life.

As always, take what serves you and leave what doesn't from my brainwave of this December Intention... and either way I would love to share some ~virtual space~ with you at some point this month. While I realize virtual isn't always ideal, I am also reminded over and over again how important any opportunity for true human connection can be. Allll people are welcomed with love & I deeply appreciate seeing your faces throughout the month.... it gives me all the feels to see how this virtual yogi quaran-team is continuing to grow together despite being in different relationships with yoga and a few different states and time zones.

Use the calendar tab on this site to check out what's coming up this month! Every week we will have a power yoga flow (leave feeling strong & still stretchy) and a restore yoga flow (leave feeling extremely zen-ed out) and you can catch a few more Small Business Saturday classes where we will spotlight some of my true favorite creative small businesses out there.

If you made it this far, thank you and I love you and let me know any questions/thoughts/feedback/or whatever pops into your head and heart because I am here for it.

Genuinely sending you all of the appreciation and love and wishing you safety, health, peace, and fulfillment for the rest of 2020 and into this new year. <3

PS below is my playlist for the month of December....might be my fav of the whole year because wow the variety in artists... but somehow it works & we love to see it.