Stay in the Focus of the Present

I can choose to return to my mat and practice being here.
I can draw my attention inward and become aware of my breath, linked to movement.
I can soften the grip of worry and the habit of constant doing.

My roaming tendencies often carry me into future stories shaped by past memories. I fall into the illusion that safety lies in fixing. But this only leads to spinning—into exhaustion, confusion, and anxiety. My nervous system becomes overwhelmed, even as my mind insists it's protecting me.

But true protection is counterintuitive to the learned mind.

And yet—I am grateful.
Grateful that I know I can return to yoga.
Grateful for the trust that arises in the presence of prana.
This life force flows through me, and I begin to experience a deep, mental relaxation. I fall into the spaciousness of the moment. My mind softens into ease, and my only intention becomes: simply enjoy.

Today, more than ever, we must raise the vibration of consciousness if we are to live with radiant hearts. The weight of the outer world is heavy—layered with judgment, division, and endless spinning stories. I choose not to waste my energy there. We don’t have to agree on everything to hold one another with compassion.

July has been a month of deep uncertainty.
From flash floods and fierce storms to the threat of a tsunami after the devastating earthquake in Russia, we’ve been reminded how unpredictable and fragile life is. With record-breaking heat and extreme weather, the only thing we can truly hold onto is the present moment.

This moment is an invitation.
To pause.
To see.
To listen.
To move inward with intention.

Yoga Among Friends is a safe harbor for the soul—a space to rest, be nourished, and held as we navigate uncertainty. Together, we create a collective force to uplift humanity and shine our individual lights.

As we move into August, let us recommit to our practice.
Let’s make a commitment to come inward and appreciate all the wonderful classes and workshops (including our new Mindful Yoga class starting August 4, 2025) that reconnect us with what matters most. Come reset your mind to rest and may your light to stay radiant in these confusing times.

With love and presence,
Laura Jane

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Let’s reflect together...
What helps you return to the present moment when life feels overwhelming?
Share in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.

Meet Lynette Bromiel: Bringing Stability, Joy, and Accessibility to Chair Yoga

New Chair Yoga Class Begins Wednesday, June 4 at Yoga Among Friends

At Yoga Among Friends, we believe yoga is for every body—and we’re thrilled to introduce a new class that brings that belief to life. Starting Wednesday, June 4, our community welcomes Lynette Pitrak Bromiel, a passionate and grounded 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher, who will be leading Chair Yoga, a gentle, supportive practice designed for all levels and abilities.

For Lynette, yoga has been a steady thread woven through her life since high school. While she was initially drawn in by the physical benefits, it didn’t take long for the practice to evolve into something deeper. “A consistent practice has given me tools to help combat stress and anxiety, to keep working towards being more patient and accepting, and to deepen my mind/body connection,” she shares.

Her love of Chair Yoga comes from its powerful accessibility. “Chair Yoga makes yoga available to so many people who might not otherwise feel comfortable stepping into a class,” Lynette explains. “It’s a wonderful way to gently build strength, improve flexibility, and experience the breath-body connection—without ever having to get down on the mat.”

What to Expect in Lynette’s Chair Yoga Class

Whether you’re brand new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner looking for a supportive practice, Lynette’s class is designed for everyone. “We’ll work through modifications of traditional poses like forward folds and backbends in ways that are completely supported but still offer all the benefits,” she says. You’ll also experience stretching, gentle strength-building, breathwork, and balance—all while using the chair as a steady foundation.

And if you’re wondering whether Chair Yoga is “enough” of a workout, Lynette has a clear answer: “Your body is still doing the work. With repeated movements and focused engagement, you’ll definitely feel it. Plus, it’s an incredible introduction to linking breath and movement, especially for beginners.”

Rooted in Tradition, Designed for Daily Life

While Chair Yoga might seem like a modern invention for desk dwellers, Lynette reminds us that its roots run deep. “B.K.S. Iyengar used the chair as a prop to make poses more accessible,” she explains. “This style of practice is all about meeting people where they are.”

And that’s what Lynette loves most—when students tell her they’ve started using what they learn in class at home or at work to manage stress and feel more grounded. “It’s really inspiring to know that even a few simple poses or breathing techniques can make someone’s day a little easier.”

Why You'll Love Chair Yoga with Lynette

Lynette brings warmth, joy, and a sense of calm to her teaching. Guided by two of her most influential teachers, J. Michael Taylor and Laura Jane Mellencamp, she’s learned to balance effort with ease—and to always keep a smile. “Mike would often make his students laugh just to remind us not to grip or push too hard. Yoga should challenge you, but also feel really good and uplifting.”

In class, her favorite poses to teach are the Warrior variations. “They allow students to feel strong, stable, and aligned—without the fear of losing balance,” she says.

Her hope? That students leave feeling empowered. “I want people to walk out thinking, ‘Wow, I was able to practice yoga,’ especially if they once thought it wasn’t for them. And for more experienced yogis, I hope they’ve gained tools they can take with them throughout the day.”

Curious but Hesitant? You’re Not Alone

If you’ve never tried Chair Yoga before, Lynette has this to say:
“We’ve all been beginners at some point. Just trying it out could be the first step to really falling in love with yoga.”

So take that first step—slow down, connect with your breath, and discover how good it feels to move in a way that supports you.

Join Lynette for Chair Yoga starting Wednesday, June 4 at 9:30 AM.
Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, uplifted, and connected.

Healing Rituals of the Season

I was sitting in my awkward state of mind, not knowing how to move forward. It’s the holiday season, and I find I am unable to “do.” I want to stay in my cave for now. I’m struggling to understand all the confusion in my heart. How does the world support me in my fragile state of mind? The joy of the season is being lost in my frustration of witnessing so much anger and pain.

Exhaustion is a natural state of disappointment as I question my reality in the outer world. I have lived in a yogic bubble of seeing the world in a higher state of conscious choice to live without resentment or projection.

Honest awareness and the ability to sit without fixing, doing, or distracting. Stay in the present moment and not project out into the future. Be present in this special moment. Now I tell my self to breathe into this experience of actual living. Yoga is all experiential in the now. Heartbreak is the gateway to sitting in the open space of “not knowing.”

I am choosing to hold loose the future and focus on this beautiful winter solstice that will bring in the light. I will practice “Pratipaksa Bhavana,“ stepping out of my learned lens of judgment and changing my attitude. Seeing and walking in someone else’s shoes and witnessing my struggle shifting as I let go of my biased opinions projecting fear of the future.

I shift my thoughts at the moment into a practice of seeing the beauty around me. Yes, it can be an effort, but I have to feel a shift toward contentment. My mood changes from agitation, frustration, or fear into a passion for living with enthusiasm for the possibilities. I still have hope that humanity will be kinder.  My habit of reaction shifts to being able to respond with better words, tones, and intentions.  I have the choice to choose my thoughts. I am practicing to live from this state of mind and inspire gratitude for the present moment, reflecting on the ability to see grace unfolding because I can only change my perception.

Shifting the patterns of mind often requires a ritual. We have many rituals in life during the holiday season. My favorite is a daily ritual of lighting a candle and breathing into the flame. I love my ritual of setting up the Christmas tree and unpacking my ornaments, each offering a sweet reminder of the years collected. The times, places, and memories are placed carefully on the tree and become my altar. It’s a sacred place of ritual in our home to come inward.

This counters the hectic outer world of noise and confusion that the holiday season creates. I love the quiet, the darkness of the long nights, which offer me an opportune time to reflect. I move into my heart and sometimes shed a tear or two for the bittersweet of those no longer in my life. And yet the fullness of my heart for loving so well is felt. To embrace the moment is important for being human and for the frailness of our collective hearts.

Each of us has a daily ritual. Many of us have a “to-do list,” which exhausts us in the taskmaster. We forget that there is a sacred path to living that inspires through ritual. Prayer is a ritual, yet it becomes an unconscious act unless we create a time and place to feel it. Setting the table can be a ritual, and cooking a meal can be an honor of ritual, just as being present in our practice as we stand on a mat, welcoming and saluting the sun. The light in our hearts shines out as we begin our day in consciousness. The ritual of entering into a mediation is not about the outcome but the ability to be absorbed in the experience of feeling the pulse of this inner light.

This holiday season embrace your own rituals. Is it writing cards, wrapping a gift, serving a meal in a homeless shelter or church, lighting the menorah each night of Chanukah, or a self-care ritual? Each is an opportunity to bring a little of the spirit of this season back into our daily existence. 

At YAF, we have the community gathering ritual to share a practice on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Each is an opportunity to connect to something greater and to share the heartfelt experience of belonging.  Our sweet studio has continued to be my ritual of walking up those stairs, opening the door, turning on the lights, and welcoming the opportunity to serve. When I leave, I always close the door and thank the walls for being my container and for the support they offer me to feel the collective heart. 

This season of ritual offers us an opportunity to embrace a shared inner light with a heartfelt “thank you” to all our teachers and fellow students as we move into a new beginning.

Your turn. What do you think of this reflection? What rituals do you embrace this time of year to bring light and meaning into your life? Kindly share in the comments below.

Blessings to all,

Laura Jane

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P.S. Explore Rituals with These Classes and Workshops

Dec 6 - First Fridays with Eagle Sangha

Dec 10 - Therapeutic Yoga Monthly Workshop: Low Back Health

Dec 11 - Night of Rasayana: The Ayurvedic Path of Rejuvenation

Dec 18 - Women's Wellness Workshop:  Self-Care and Connection Under the Waning Gibbous Moon

Dec 21 - Sound Bath Meditation

Dec 31 - New Year's Eve Candlelight Yoga with Crystal Bowls & Handpan Sounds

Jan 1 - New Year's Day Yoga