Hobby or Lifestyle
The distinction is in the daily doing
Hobbies enhance our lives and lead us to new horizons. Our intention for these retreats is to make them a sacred hobby, a refreshing plot twist in your summer lifestyle, an annual pilgrimage back home to yourself. Only a few more spots are open for Southampton on July 17th, and announcing today a local-to-Huntington waterfront opportunity to bask in Yoga, community and summer on August 15th.
A few months ago I decided I needed a new hobby, and now I have two! I know myself. With only so many hours in the day, as a homeowner, Yoga Therapist, entrepreneur, Mother, daughter, friend and more, my inner, dutiful self kicks in. I have responsibilities a plenty, plus daily maintenence for my own self, including Yoga and movement. Very DIY in all I do, I still shop at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Costco, mostly. I cook all meals from scratch. Do all my own cleaning. Life gets very full of responsibilities.
Hobbies matter for all of us to bring some much needed respite and remodel our neural pathways in the direction of what awakens connection to our inner beach walker, instrument player, archer, fisherwoman/man, crocheter, baker, mechanic, facebook marketplace-r. The buffer between responsibilities to ourselves and others and abiding in something we can begin, cultivate, improve at and enjoy is the right hobby.
Very much like the samādhi process, learning the basics, relatively mastering those so we can learn the nuances, feeling the joy of progress and then becoming integrated with the subject, hobbies follow a similar trajectory. Whether it’s henna tattoo-ing/mehndi, which is my new hobby number one, or gluten free sourdough baking, that’s hobby number two, the reward is in the doing. And the finished projects, which keep getting better and better.
Still in the realm of diy-ing, both have brought so much gratification. And even saved me money, if I frame it right. I don’t have to go drive a half hour to hicksville, spend gas money, time, wonder if the artist will be there. Every Friday morning, it’s on the agenda to go fancyfree on my own hand. And we have pizza. The next time someone calls me a fake Italian because I don’t eat dairy, well, are you making your own sourdough pizza crust? Focaccia? Mozzarella? I didn’t think so. Ciao. Plus, my uber-Italian American family is finishing it all up and my son’s eating it instead of popcorn or grapes when we watch movies.
Yoga is not a hobby, or at least it’s not meant to to be. It’s a lifestyle. A daily rhythm. Medicine, and deep self-care. This is what we teach and this is why when you lean into our program, you usually stay with it for life, and it stays with you. If you are investing in Yoga, know its potential to deeply nourish you, cleanse you, and support your personal transformation. And choose the teachers who hold high standards for the ancient teachings. You’ll know immediately. Yoga, for them, is a lifestyle, a practice, a tool that has been passed on from their own teachers, integrity preserved.
Something new is coming to Yoga Foundation in the Fall. Many of you carry this practice in your hearts but can’t always make it to Huntington Station, we’re creating a way to stay close — monthly chanting guides, audio teachings rooted in the Krishnamacharya lineage, philosophy reflections, and a small virtual circle for those who want to go deeper. Membership will start at just $5/month. If this speaks to you, simply reply to this email and let me know — your response will help shape what we build.