Hello Tapas community! This is Amanda, who teaches on Monday evenings and Thursday mornings. I’m writing for this month's newsletter to let you know about some special offerings this month as well as to share some news about my life.

But first, I want to look at an important idea in yoga philosophy: truth, known as satya in Sanskrit. Often we think that doing yoga means to be peaceful, calm, and happy, so when we feel sadness or anger or frustration, we might feel like we’re not doing our yoga right. That’s not true!

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I don't have time for yoga
Times are tough, and yoga isn't something I need

I'll just start doing yoga again after ... (insert holiday/event here)

Sound familiar? If so it's mostly because, like most of us, you are balancing too many things at once. I can't tell you how many times students disappear, only to re-appear when things have "settled down" for them. Each time, though, the student regrets neglecting their practice.

Why? Because once you stop making time for yourself, everything else becomes more difficult. It is harder to find the energy to care for your family when you are becoming increasingly lethargic. It takes longer to accomplish even small, day to day tasks when you are having trouble focusing.

The ultimate irony is that taking the time for your regular practice (be it Yoga or Pilates, meditation, or one of our dance classes) gives you more time to take care of all of your daily tasks. Additionally, it helps you do so with less stress and more enjoyment.

But it's difficult, isn't it. Not only to make the commitment to practice regularly, but to hold on to that commitment. The temptation is always there to miss practice and spend that time doing something else. Even when you know that, as soon as you stop practicing, you'll feel it.

So here are some tips to help you keep your practice a regular commitment that you can keep.

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The other day I did something that I've never done before in my life. After my run (well ... walk/run) at the Audubon Trail, I walked over to the lake, sat down in the grass, and meditated. Now of course I've meditated before. And naturally I've sat in grass before. I've even done yoga in the park before, and it is quite lovely. There's just something about creating that connection to nature during practice that fills me with joy. I don't even mind being alone in down dog by a big oak tree. In fact, I love it.

But the other day I took it one step further.

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A large number of the Tapas community is Catholic, and I find it wonderful that so many of you are comfortable practicing yoga without worrying about it creating a conflict with your faith. I know that, unfortunately, many others will not be able to enjoy the incredible physical and mental benefits of a regular yoga practice for this very reason.

I approach this subject this month with a bit of trepidation, and a great deal of respect. A person's faith is both intensely personal and uniquely private. No one person can truly understand what another believes, feels or follows no matter how well they might know them. And I, for one, would never belittle another person's belief system. Having said that, I'd like to offer an alternative view of yoga for those with concerns.

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This month, I'm taking a rest from Off the Mat, and allowing myself to, with compassion, take a break. We all work so very hard and put so very much of ourselves into everything. We all need a break.

So my plan was always to leave 'Off the Mat' to your imagination this month. But then I realized that the concept of rest - without guilt - is an Off the Mat on its own. So my friends, take a break this month. Just once. It will all still get done. Eventually.