my second day of classes was my yoga day, all yoga, all day, 6 hours of practice.  and it ended up being exactly what i needed.  the morning class was a calm yin with journaling and mediation.  time to really commune with ourselves and with the others.  it was gentle and nourishing.  michelle brings peace and love wherever she goes, so it was really incredible to share those hours with her.  it was nothing short of beautiful.  at one point i looked up and the sun was shining on her face just so... i wanted nothing more than to drop my pose and grab my camera, she sees and reflects the beauty and trust of all of those around her. *sigh*  can i gush more about her?  i will in my next squammie post.

i began to feel a little nervous though as to what my second class would bring.  i knew it was a vinyasa class which is my favorite type of yoga, but three hours?  that's intense!  when i got there the teacher, maryjo, informed me that it was just the two of us.  um, hello!  solo session? totally intimidated for the first few minutes.  but i relaxed as maryjo nurtured me in my practice.  i've been practicing for a total of 9 years, but with four babies in the mix of things, my practice hasn't been consistent until the last 3.  much of my practice has been on my own, and while i don't think you can really do yoga incorrectly, i was still worried to have my practice judged!  maryjo was so gentle and kind, continually prodding me along with, "you have such a beautiful practice!" or "wow, you're so flexible!"  in resting poses she massaged me and helped me relax.  she tailored the class completely to my needs and abilities and i left feeling completely affirmed.  i just wish i had gotten a pic with her!

the evenings were casual, yummy dinners with fantastic conversations, plenty of time to really get to know one another and play.  after experiencing both locations of squam i will say that being on the beach was a lot more relaxed and more of an intimate experience.  it's hard to say which session i prefer though, because i missed seeing so many wonderful women in NH this year, and i missed the variety of classes offered... but i loved the relaxing retreat mode we were all in at the beach.  *sigh*  i guess what i'm really saying is that if you have the opportunity to attend an artist's retreat, take it!  you won't regret going!  it fills you up in ways you don't even know that you need and gives you a community to fall back on that isn't easily broken.  carve this time out for you.  we don't have a lot of money, but we've made it a priority.  once the intention was out there, the way was made for it.

ok, enough of the soapbox.  saturday's class was "the care and keeping of artistic souls" by jen lee.  it was a lovely discussion with lots of helpful ideas, but mostly i found acknowledgement for living my life just as i do.  the session was so full of time and i feel like i was really able to connect with myself and what i need in life.  i came home FILLED up and so happy to be home.  so far, no longing, no squamorse, just a happy feeling that i'm right where i belong, totally at home in my own skin.

the evening came, the full moon rose, the hoops were dispersed, and fire was lit.  it was the perfect way to end my time at the beach.  in the past by saturday night i'm a mess, feeling torn because i didn't see enough, didn't talk enough, didn't learn enough!  but this year, i was content just to sit among friends, fulfilled completely.  a million thank you's to elizabeth and michelle (and all the teachers) for creating such a nourishing environment.  elizabeth has a way of keeping a million conversations, a million needs, and a million ideas sorted out in her head. case in point: months ago when asked when i liked to drink at breakfast i listed hot cocoa and oj... i may have been the only to enjoy them, but elizabeth made the effort to have them there.  she is truly an angel.

*big cleansing breath*

it's all so good.

stay tuned for one more post with photo sessions of lovelies on the beach.

plus you can always see the whole set of pics here.