It may be a picture tells a thousand words, but two pictures back-to-back tell even more. You know how Facebook shows you images of past posts? Today Facebook did not disappoint on the day of my virtual yoga teaching anniversary. I was struck by the visual metaphor of darker imagery of my then newly set up virtual studio of last Spring, compared to the brighter, more hopeful imagery of my home studio this Spring. It has long been said, “where there is darkness, there is light” and “darkness gives birth to the light”.

The pandemic has given ample opportunities for spiritual awakening and growth. Looking at the picture, my virtual studio today seems to manifest that growth: lighter, brighter, more hopeful.

As a country, we have been through so much. Like many, my family has taken so many knocks over the past year, especially my husband, Steve. Both of us have endured unemployment and under employment, the death of Steve’s mom, his younger brother, and even our family dog. We have done our best to support our boys’ remote learning challenges and create structure and a semblance of normalcy in the midst of the ‘big squeeze.’ Somehow we tapped into our creative energy, adapted to life on life’s terms, and found grace through service and love.

In the week prior to that first virtual class one year ago, I remember the irritability and oppressive fear I felt. Yet, as I joyfully taught my first virtual class for the students of Yoga by Degrees, I felt the weight of my worries lift, just a little. With every class I taught, I found deeper gratitude for the opportunity to connect with my students in some way.

My husband witnessed my moments of happiness and had a great idea: why not get my own ‘Zoom channel’ and be of service? Both of us were underemployed and needed to create some structure in our lives as we sheltered in place, seemingly indefinitely. That is how my “Rise & Shine Karma Class” began. For many months, I taught this yin and yoga nidra class 5 days a week. The core yin and yoga nidra meditation group is made up of beautiful souls, over half of them not even living in the Chicago area.

From March to May, I posted the class zoom link in several facebook groups. Over time, people visited the class from all over the country, and around the globe, from England, India, Belgium and Portugal. How cool is that? The student core that makes up our ‘Karma Class’ is a brilliant silver lining of the pandemic. Monday, March 22nd is our Rise and Shine Karma Class anniversary, making it the 183rd Rise and Shine Karma class in one year. Most of us were complete strangers at first, but have come to know each other and share over the past year. We watched each other learn and grow as we trudged through a year of darkness, finding our way to the light. I look forward to the day when I can meet each one of them face to face.

I am so grateful for all of my virtual students from Sassi Pants Yoga, and the virtual classes I teach for YBD. Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for supporting virtual yoga. Thank you for your kindness. You have touched the deepest depths of my heart.

So many have been generous in thought, word and deed. Through your donations over the past year, I was able to redecorate my studio, making it lighter, brighter, and more perfect for virtual yoga. (I will also add that even some bills were paid.) Zoom + lovely yogins have been a God send.

Finally, thank you to my husband, Steve. He has been my partner, humbly taught and still teaches the “Steve and Kristin Show” with me. He has been my rock, tech director, and shoulder to cry on. He encouraged me to create a website, add more virtual classes to my schedule and pursue my teaching gigs, a gentle flow class and restorative class, on Insight Timer. If you have not visited Insight Timer Live classes, check them out. Those classes are worldwide and can be a lot of fun as, well.

Steve has walked the yogic path. Over the past year, he organized two Zoom funerals for his family as he coped with unimaginable grief. But he shared his Zoom funeral arranging experience to help others, including a student who lost two of her family members, as well. That is yoga. Union.

The pandemic has called us to ‘live’ our yoga and rise to the brilliance contained within each one of us. This spring has a much different vibration than the last. People are being vaccinated in mass, virus positivity is going down as the positivity in our spirit rises, doors are opening, and the light at the end of the tunnel is finally not an oncoming train. Thank you, one and all, for helping to see us and each other through to the other side of this. I realize we aren’t fully there yet, but it is within reach.

Wishing you the blessings of happiness and good health as hope springs eternal. - Kristin