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It's World Turtle Day

Today is World Turtle Day. Most types of turtles, both land and sea-based, are either threatened or endangered and so this day brings public awareness to the shell-backed reptiles. So World Turtle Day brings our awareness to these creatures.

Since I've felt a connection to turtles my entire life, I do consider now the green sea turtle (honu in Hawaiian) my spirit animal ('amakua). Right now sea turtle eggs are nesting all over Venice and other area beaches. Please be vigilant of the marked off nests when you go on any beach adventures over the next few months. It is in these summer months that the babies hatch in the beachside nests and make their journey back to the sea.

Turtles as Cultural Symbols

In many cultures around the world turtles can be recognized as sacred creatures providing connectedness between the physical and spiritual worlds.

In Hawaiian culture, the honu is a symbol of fortitude, good luck and long life. They are seen as the navigators between land and sea. We see this when we see the freshly hatched baby turtles crawling on the beach back into the sea.

In Indian spirituality, the turtle carries the burdens of the world on its back. They uphold the entire physical world. Quite a feat when that includes 4 elephants. The turtle represents strength and endurance.

So what do turtles have to do with yoga? Sea turtles glide through water. When they are in the middle of the water column, between the seafloor and the surface, they appear to fly effortlessly using the water to locomote while minimizing effort. To steer themselves despite the heavy burdens of their shells (or the whole world!), they use their well-honed flippers to guide them. The currents may work against them at times but they have those flippers to bring them to safety and food.

To get clean, turtles use cleaning stations where the fish will eat the barnacles, algae, and any other burdens off their backs.

For humans to do that we have yoga and meditation. Human life takes a lot of effort and we have many burdens just in our daily living. Yet to feel satisfaction, getting to this state of ease, flying through the water with less effort we can attempt to release from traumatic or stressful situations. Getting ourselves to this state of ease takes work. Sloughing off the detritus of life can be done with yoga and yoga nidra practices.

Needless to say, tonight's yoga nidra will be turtle-themed and I hope that you sign up tonight for a wonderful adventure that helps you to find your own state of ease, nourishment and comfort. I hope that you will join me online with the rest of our Monday night crew, to open up your world to a beautiful, peaceful journey. .

Resources & Readings:

Calendar Labs. World Turtle Day. https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/international/world-turtle-day.php
National Wildlife Fund. Green Sea Turtles https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/Sea-Turtles/Green-Sea-Turtle#:~:text=Green%20sea%20turtles%20have%20paddle,(136%20to%20159%20kilograms).
Seaworld. Hatching of Care and Young. https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/sea-turtles/care-of-young/

The Gift of Private Yoga Lessons

It is not too late to buy yourself or a loved one a gift of private yoga lessons. The Mother's Day Special has been extended through the end of the month. . Buy a private BOGO lesson. Yes, two for one.

Ongoing Offerings

Yoga nidra classes continue online at 7:30 ET Monday nights. Join me tonight for a beautiful relaxing journey that will help you to heal, relax, and de-stress for an hour.

Meditation & Yoga for Organizations

Using yoga and meditation techniques, I am available to support an organization's institutional mission and values tailored to the needs of employees. Meditation and yogic exercise have been shown to promote wellness that boosts employee morale, effectiveness, and productivity (Sheelu, Garg, & Rastogi, 2022). If you know someone who may be interested in setting up a meditation or yoga class for a retreat or as a regular amenity or employee benefit in their organization please forward this link to them.

Private Lessons

I continue my availability for face-to-face or online meditation and yoga private lessons. Contact me via text/cell 808-263-9792 or email proftenzer@gmail.com