#138 A Season of Simplicity

Letting Go, Coming Home, and Creating Space for What Matters Most

I haven’t written here on Substack in a while. That’s because I’ve been quietly processing so much beneath the surface.

When I look back on the past few months, I see my life simplifying at a rapid pace. My days now begin with a cup of warm bone broth. I started Pilates about six weeks ago, too, and I feel so strong. Through my pilates class and bone broth, my gut is strengthening. And as it strengthens physically, I notice my gut instincts strengthening too - I just know what to do. In The Ninth Step Promises from AA, there’s a line: “we will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.” That’s exactly how it feels right now.

I volunteer chairing two fellowship meetings a week here in Bali. I read a new book every week. I take bubblebaths. This is a season of simplicity.

The season of simplicity has also meant scaling back my international commitments - right now, the only one on my calendar is my India retreat in February/March 2026 (which only has three spots left, by the way - so if you want to come, join us by booking here!) It is very possible I will do the United Arab Emirates too, as I have every year - but nothing is confirmed yet! When I am ready, I might add more on the calendar. But right now I need to root down and ground down in presence here.

This shift has brought me deeper into my home in Bali: teaching at local studios, caring for my new foster kitten Zero, and pouring my heart into writing my next books - works that have been years in the making, rooted in my study and teaching of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. I’ve also been teaching on Yoga Teacher Trainings for Sky Yoga here in Bali.

Yesterday, I began another round of coffee withdrawal. I often cycle between coffee drinking and coffee sobriety, but I always find that my coffee drinking escalates quickly, and the more coffee I drink, the less water I drink. The more coffee I drink, I become more anxious, more reactive, and less able to simply sit for a meditation. In coffee sobriety I find more stillness, deeper meditation, and a grounded sense of being. Even just one day in, I could feel myself drop into a greater quiet inside.

In coffee sobriety, foster kitty parenting, and Instagram withdrawal, life feels simpler than it ever has before. I hope to keep this going for a while.

Here’s how we can connect in this season:

1. In-Person 300-Hour YTT in Bali

   • Meditation & Pranayama: September 1–10, 2025

   • Asana Adjustments & Assists: September 11–18, 2025
     Join us for one or both modules in beautiful Bali by signing up here.

2. Online Membership
   This month’s theme is the yamas. We meet weekly on Sundays for meditation, and there are other meetings throughout the week. You’ll also receive access to our on-demand yoga library. You can join us here.

3. Sober Women’s Yoga Adventure to India - India Retreat 2026
   February 22–March 5, 2026 — three spots remain! Join myself and counsellor Jane Ballard for an alcohol-free journey through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Goa. You can join here.

I continue to teach regularly:

• On Yoga Teacher Trainings with Sky Yoga in Bali

• On the drop-in schedule at Radiantly Alive in Ubud

• In ongoing programs with The Mindful Life Practice: Yoga Sutra Study and our membership.

I am deeply grateful to have you part of our community.

In gratitude,
Alexandra