LOVE LETTERS TO PLACE

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
 

~ Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass     

Welcome to 2020! I’m seeing so many promotions for New Year’s resolutions, detox cleanses, and self-care products that cost a fortune. But what if instead of being an exclusive and expensive, self-care was something we gradually and gently worked into our everyday routines? That is the focus of the content that Dawne Schoep and I are creating through Seasonal Practice. We have a series of 4 workshops starting up on January 15th and I wanted to share a sneak peak of the type of information we will share in the workshops. You can sign up for one or the whole series. 

Seasonal Practice: Winter 2020 Workshops
Jan 15, Jan 29, Feb 12 and Feb 26
 
Winter is a season that many of us identify primarily by her challenges.  We may often hear it described as a season of cold, dark and stuck.  It is the season we just have to bear and survive. We live in a society where we are always supposed to be DOING.  Winter by nature is a season of hibernation.  We as people may be working against the nature of our bodies in winter by continuing to do, go, accomplish, produce.  Hibernation doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Rather than just trying to “bear with winter” over the next few months, what if you were to embrace winter’s gifts and see how that helps set up for the year ahead.
 
Winter is meant to be a season of resting and building (just take some cues from the plants in your garden snuggled in for their winter hibernation). By paying attention to the physical and emotional effects of the changing seasons, we can start to gather important information about our place within these greater cycles and how they impact our bodies, our emotions, and the people and places around us. 
 
In the first Seasonal Practice Winter online workshop on January 15th we will explore concepts of hibernation, restorative practices, dressing for winter, and how to stay warm, cozy, and healthy. 
 
Below are some of our favorite winter tips to get you started connecting with the winter season. Find out more about our upcoming Seasonal Practice Winter online workshops here: https://www.seasonalpractice.com/
 
Restorative practice
Dawne created a Self Foot Massage video sharing one of her go-to restorative self-care practices. Caring for your feet is an essential first step in winter self care. 

Warming foods
Keep your body warm in cold weather by eating healing and warming foods. Make your favorites or try this Creamy Cauliflower Soup recipe from one of our favorite food blogs Love and Lemons. 
 
Journal prompts

• Name something still, restful and peaceful about winter.
• Do any memories come to mind when you think about the essence of winter? 
• Remembering that winter is a time of rest, rebuilding and restoring, what is your intention for yourself this winter?

We hope you'll join us for one of all of the Seasonal Practice Winter online workshops. Each call is 1.5 hours and we have two times to choose from each day. More information here: http://www.seasonalpractice.com/

Enjoy the New Year and this time of introspection!

Warmly,

There are only 2 Pocono Mountains Boxes left! If you didn’t get a chance to order one before the holiday rush, you can grab one through the link below. These are limited edition, so once they are gone, I won’t make any more. I also have one extra Marie perfume that you can order separately here.

The 4th Senses of Place Box celebrates the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. My family has called this region home since the 18th century and the area is rich is cultural heritage, food and craft traditions. From the scenic Delaware River to the Kittatinny Ridge, the Poconos have fascinated travelers and residents for hundreds of years due to the regions natural beauty and numerous opportunities for recreation and exploration.

The box includes 5 limited edition herbal products handcrafted to evoke the character of one of the Pocono Mountains and an illustrated booklet highlighting the area's history, flora and traditions, and detailing the benefits and uses of each of the products. All Senses of Place Box products are inspired by a specific place and feature local plants and herbs that grow in the area and are handcrafted by Gretchen Boyce. Items include: a tea, dream balm, perfume, herbal elixir, and a kit to make a traditional German Pennsylvania craft of your own.

Order here>> 

Photo by Christina Dikas

Join Dawne Schoep and I in a series of tele-conference workshops where we will dive into the topics of winter self-care, restorative movement, preparing for cold and flu season, hibernation, and restorative practices. We are experimenting with a shorter format this season and you can sign up for a single workshop, or all four at a discounted rate. Registration is open! You can learn more here. Email us at hello@seasonalpractice.com with any questions.

Photo by Alex on Unsplash

• Susannah Conway's Unravel Your Year 2020 workbook. I've been doing this workbook since 2013 and love how it helps me reflect on the previous year and set intentions for the year ahead.
• Ariella’s Yuletide Musings
• The Fairfolk Podcast by Danica Boyce
• Flowerlore’s whimsical images
• Self-reflection insights from The Holistic Psychologist