April 2023 Newsletter
Happy April, friends! I am so grateful for each one of you and the connections with you through my hikes, classes, and retreats. Thank you for reading my newsletter where each month I will continue to share with you more of my personal journey and things I have been learning, teaching, reading, and loving. My hope is that you will find something that speaks to your heart and leads you toward healing and happiness in your own life. Please feel free to share this email with any friends or family who you feel may benefit from it as well.
What I am learning:
Last month, a dear friend and mentor asked me if I knew my worth- without striving, without DOING anything and if I knew that my presence alone added value. Her question had been ruminating in my mind when I came across this quote by The Daily Rest “In what felt like centuries of trying so hard to be strong, to be valid, to be seen, nothing has humbled me like softness, nothing has brought me to the grass beneath my knees like the whisper: what if you let it be easy? What if there was no one to impress, nothing to prove: not even to yourself?”
I have been learning that this may be one of my most difficult learning experiences yet. To let it be easy, to be soft, to recognize there is nothing to prove, not even to myself. As I have been contemplating and recognizing how often I am striving and doing and trying to be strong, it has been humbling to see how often I am trying to prove my worth to myself and others. I don’t have the answers for how to come into full alignment with this concept, however, I am practicing awareness and know that through awareness of our actions and behaviors, change is possible. I would love to hear any insights or experiences any of you have had with this topic.
What I am offering:
My 10-day online masterclass “Foundations for a Mindful Life” is available online. It is a self-paced course that can be enrolled in at any time. In this course you will learn simple foundational practices that will invite you to begin living in a more mindful way.
My online course “A Mindful Life Method” is a more in-depth self-paced online course that will lead you on a journey of reconnection with yourself. You will learn tools to reduce stress and anxiety in your life and practices that will help you live a more balanced, joyful life. Registration is available on an ongoing basis and group coaching calls will be every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Every Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm MST, I have an amazing group of ladies that join me for a yoga class with breathwork and guided meditation. We have built a beautiful community of women and I look forward to teaching them each week. This is an online class and we always love when new friends join. First class is free and cost is $5 each class after.
Once a month I host a free women’s hiking group for ladies in my local area of Southern Utah. Our next outing will be on April 15th at 10 am. We are planning to hike the Snow Canyon Overlook, which is a 4.9-mile moderate hike with absolutely amazing views. Stay tuned for updates or changes due to weather. I look forward to seeing you all on the trail!
I am also selling homemade herbal salves. Choose from Calendula, Pine, Rosemary, or Calendula mixed with Rosemary. The calendula and rosemary salves are made from homegrown organic herbs and the pine salve is carefully harvested from Pinion pines in the Southern Utah area. These salves have many beneficial properties and are a great addition to your home first aid kit. Click here to check them out!
If any of these offerings are of interest to you, please reach out to me at joyfulbalancedhealth@gmail.com
What I am reading:
I am reading the book “A New Way to Age” by Suzanne Somers. It was a gift from a dear friend and though it has taken me some time to begin, once I did I was so grateful for the gift. I love the interviews with so many different doctors and their insights and wisdom. There is a wealth of information on aging in the best possible way in this book. I love that they include more natural options and also strongly encourage healthy eating, managing stress, and positive mindset. I have not finished the book, but so far I am loving the information presented. One quote from the book that really resonated was by Dr. Gladden. He said “You can't become something that you haven’t envisioned becoming”. Such a powerful statement that applies not only to health but to every aspect of our lives. Have any of you read this book? What were your takeaways?
What I am loving:
I am loving that even though spring has not arrived here in Southern Utah yet, there are signs all around that it is coming soon. From the red breasted robins on our front lawn, to the longer hours of light, to the little green tips of my irises peeking through the snowy ground, I can feel the subtle shifts occurring. What are your favorite signs of spring? What do you love about this time of renewal and change?
Sending you all love and light,
❤Jessica