As Mother’s Day passes, I’ve been reflecting on the many strong women who have shaped my life. 💕

My mother, Linda.
My grandmothers, Margaret and Cecelia.
My mother-in-law, Louise.
My sisters, aunts and cousins.
My daughters. Troop 1626 & my co-leader.
And the many friendships formed both on and off the mat, in neighborhoods, during hikes, around the gym, on sport courts & fields, in schools & workshops and with those quietly sitting, turning pages with toes in the sand.

When I think about strength, I no longer picture only physical strength. Instead, the hidden strength within us comes to mind. Resilience. Compassion. Wisdom. Endurance. I think about women who speak their minds, stand firm in their beliefs, carry families through difficult seasons, and continue showing up with love even when life feels heavy.

I’ve always been drawn to strong-willed women. Women with big ideas, strong opinions, creative spirits, and courageous hearts. There’s something incredibly powerful that happens when women gather together. A unique kind of fellowship forms. Conversations deepen. Ideas are shared. Stories unfold. We encourage one another, hold space for one another, and gently remind each other who we are when life causes us to forget.  Sometimes it happens over tea. Sometimes during ‘a walk & talk’ or sitting on the beach.  And often, it happens before and after yoga class.

Those moments of connection have become some of my favorite parts of teaching. Of course, yoga helps strengthens the body, muscles and bones. It also helps improve balance, flexibility and stability.  This is increasingly important as we age. But over the years, I’ve realized yoga offers another kind of strength too.  It strengthens the spirit.

Yoga teaches us how to stay steady when life feels uncertain. It reminds us to breathe through discomfort instead of immediately running from it. It helps us soften where we’ve become hardened and strengthen where we’ve become weary.  Strength in yoga isn’t about forcing or striving. Some of the strongest moments on the mat happen in stillness.  You may hold a posture a little longer, return to your mat after a difficult season, or simply show up exactly as you are.  And perhaps that’s what women do so beautifully too.  We adapt. We nurture. We rebuild. We carry one another. We gather wisdom through experience and continue moving forward, often with grace and humor woven into the journey.

This month, I invite you to reflect on the strong women in your own life. The ones who encouraged you, challenged you, inspired you, or quietly stood beside you. Perhaps you are one of those women for someone else.  And maybe strength this season isn’t about pushing harder.
Maybe it’s about connection. About community.  About allowing yourself to both give and receive support.  Whether we meet on the mat, over Commit-Tea, on a walk, or simply through shared stories and quiet understanding, there is strength in gathering together.  May we continue to lift one another up and see the hidden strength within.

💗 Sharing with the Seasoned Life Yoga Community 💗

Do you have someone special in your life that’s expecting? Or preparing for birth? Or a little Mama trying to build her strength after childbirth? Many of you have met my daughter, Liz Kelly Ayala. She’s a certified perinatal fitness coach & personal trainer. Liz created a program to help support mothers feel strong, confident, and supported through pregnancy, postpartum, and every season of motherhood. Share or surprise a Little Mama with a membership to the Radiant Movement App. Included is a Hypno-Birthing Series of Deep Rest Journeys created by yours truly, for guided relaxation during this season of life. Reach out to receive the “SLY Friends & Family” discount.

Looking forward to seeing you on the mat. Check out Season Life Yoga’s upcoming yoga classes and offerings on www.seasonedlifeyoga.com. This month starts the new season at Ladew Topiary Gardens and at Star Bright Farm (a gorgeous lavender farm) in June.

Until next time Sweet Friend….just breathe. 💕