E X P E R I E N C E

: noun
an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone.

This December we are working hard to focus on creating experiences and rituals instead of the traditional act of buying things. Presence over presents. Creating vs consuming. Changing the way in which we do things in order to participate in a more deeper and meaningful space in life.

Aromas of the Heart

Christmas melodies sing in my kitchen while scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate and peppermint waft through the air; my countertops, flooring, and red apron are littered with flour and flakes of chopped nuts. Sound like a Hallmark Movie? Please, don't judge me.
Embracing each moment is always first on my Christmas list. I have a soft spot for creating, the scent of Balsam candles, gift wrapping with festive ribbon, and dreaming up the quintessential gift for those special people in my life.
Every once in a while, especially in December, the scent of evergreen or cinnamon bring my childhood on the farm back to me. Smells really transport my mind back to things like hunting for the perfect cedar tree in the cow pasture, or a Saturday afternoon at the farmhouse table, watching my Mom roll out cinnamon rolls. Spices in particular, bring my soul back to my soul; my heart back to my heart.

The Science of Smell

The sense of smell is described as “the most direct pathway to the brain,” olfaction is subconscious, pre-cognitive, and emotional, according to Sense and Sensibilities. I can only imagine that the curated scent on those yummy, cool washcloths at The Space is intentional. (I call them the $1000 washcloths - worth every penny of my annual membership!)

For this reason, in December, I light a peppermint candle in my piano studio. I want my students to subconsciously remember their days on the bench with fondness.

Hierloom Gifts

My childhood memories on the farm have shaped me; that homemade-ness from the rural Midwest grounds my soul. So much, that it was important for me to chronicle our family story. Over the course of two years, I put down stories of my life (and my family's) and paired them with my favorite recipes. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen ... well, because that's what I do.
Last Christmas I bound all of these stories and recipes into one cookbook called Kitchen Reflections. Each of my children will receive their personal copy when they leave the nest.

Making Moments

As important as it is to make moments with those that I love, I find my own personal Christmas traditions comfort me: I start the season with a holiday candle shopping trip, followed by a December baking day with my besties. I always knit a scarf or two or three for someone on Santa's list while my husband and I binge on Christmas movies. I only wish I would have cultivated my own personal traditions earlier.
I asked a wise friend what is one thing she wished that she would have known five years ago. She said, "I wish I would have trusted my intuition." I chewed on her thought a while and an unpleasant taste came up for me. I remember one witching hour, after a December swim practice, when I dragged three young boys into Target. The baby was in a car seat, while the two older boys squirmed in the double-seated cart. My oldest, prone to tantrums anyway, was an instance away from a melt-down, while I searched the aisles for the perfect teacher gift. If only I would have realized that a handmade picture from my child would have been equally appreciated. Said tantrum-boy is now 26, and I can't take that Target moment back. The moments we cultivate are as important as the moments we circumvent.
I hope that someday, my stories and spices of the cookhouse will transport my children to back to their roots I dream of the day when my oldest, the watchman of our family stories, will write memories himself. Perhaps these memories, these rituals, and these aromas can bring their soul back to their soul; their heart back to their heart.

Written by Marilyn Floyd. Marilyn, a member at The Space, is also the owner/teacher of a music studio, a wife and mother of 4 children (ages 26, 23, 20, and 17). Her favorite class is The Fusion, but also enjoys a weekly Release and Calm class to balance her yoga practice.

_________

As we enter the season of giving, how can this look different for you this year?
Can you choose presence over presents? Experiences over things?
Grounding rituals over letting perfection over take you?

It all comes down to what you choose for yourself.

Let’s create a new thing.
We love you.

The Wreath Meditation

We hosted our first ever make and take workshop a few weeks back. Liv Monte and Hayley Pierzynski led us in a meditative wreath making experience. They talked about how getting into the body through creativity is a way to stay grounded in the busy season. Take a look:

We had so much fun and loved seeing everyones own personal creative flare come through in their creation.

Didn’t get to join us? Our next make and take workshop:

Malas + Movement :

Join us as we set intentions, and create Soul jewelry. A beautiful, unique, designed by YOU token that can go anywhere with you. Something to anchor you. Joy Echlin and Rebecca Foster will be leading us in an interactive, creative movement class where we will make a Mala and move through simple guided yoga. All levels are welcome! Sign up on our mindybody, space is limited.

January 18, 1-4p
$65 / per person

HOLIDAY CLASS LINE UP

Christmas Eve - One Class 830a Donation Based led by Liv Monte
Christmas Day - CLOSED

New Years Eve - One Class 830a Strength + Release co-led by Kelli McMullen and Katie Mann
New Years Day - One Class 830a Donation Based led by Lauren Camilleri

Space is limited and spots are reserved first come first serve, please hold space on mindbody.

TEACHER TRAINING

Feb 2 - May 3, 2020

We are hosting our 4th RYT-200 teacher training in February! We have had the honor of certifying over 40 incredible souls over the last two years and we are so excited for our next group! Our YTT is an incredible, soul searching, heart opening, in depth discovery experience. Whether you want to teach or gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation for your practice, there’s room for you here.

Early bird pricing ( $500 OFF!) is through December 31! If not now, when? Let’s talk.

Get on the list today : email Liv Monte at livmonte@discoverthespacecom

The Community Connect

is a FREE open house December 14th 5-7p. Our Holiday Community Connect serves as a platform for local artists, wellness practitioners, and small businesses to come together where you can get pampered while finishing up your last minute holiday shopping! It’s a BLAST! Free products, amazing discounts and so much more! Mark your calendars! All are welcome!

Joining us this year :
Revival RN
Sunshine and Blueskies
Free People Movement
MGDY
Alo
Skin and Tonic
The Qualitarian
and so many more!

Want to join us as a vendor?! Reach out to Liv Monte —> livmonte@discoverthespace.com.

LETS MOVE

Take the Space to your home with this mini sequence.

Song : Threshold (feat. East Forest) by MC YOGI

Move : This flow is to match breath to movement, and wake the body up. Start in forward fold. Take 5 deep breaths. When ready, begin to stack the spine, one vertebrae at a time. Inhaling and reaching arms up high at the top. As you take a side bend to the right, step the left foot back into a lunge. You are in bending crescent. Inhale, step the feet back together, exhale side bend to the left, step the right foot back. Inhale, step the feet back together, spread the fingers, the toes, soften the knees and exhale fold forward, allowing the chest to fall slightly between the legs. Inhale lift the chest half way, exhale, plant the hands, step back, drop the knees and settle into child’s pose. Begin again, by inhaling up through down dog, exhale step forward, 5 full breaths in forward fold.