Roots & River Yoga opened its doors in August 2016 and that first February, I decided to offer a Valentine's Yin, Wine and Chocolate event as a special self-love treat. It was such an enjoyable night that our community came together again the next year, and the next, and now here we are celebrating our 5th annual gathering! It has become a meaningful yearly ritual and one that I look forward to with joy and anticipation. Last year, we invited friends to join us virtually too, as we are this year, broadening our collective community-love. However, the origin story of this gathering has roots that go back many years.
Enjoying wine in the Yin Yoga class actually started about 14 years ago when I had Shakti Yoga and Sacred Movement, two yoga studios that I founded in Indiana. One was a 1200 sq/ft space in a downtown South Bend office building and I set up as a donation-based community yoga studio. There was no set price for classes and people would pay what they could each week, dropping money into a basket at the entrance.
I also had a much smaller studio built off the back of my home. The home studio could only accommodate 8 student-friends, so we ran the classes in 7 week sessions and people would have to sign up for the whole series in advance. When a new session was about the start, the people in the current class would get first right to continue to hold their spot for the next round.
There was a class on Thursday nights in that home studio that met at 7:30pm and the women in that group were so devoted that we would go a year or more without any turnover. There was a waiting list. When someone would have to leave and we would invite another person in, we would envelope them into the belonging of the group. We became remarkably close and sometimes would talk for the first 30+ minutes of class about life, love, kids, and work, and then finally start the practice. Class was scheduled for 7:30-9:00pm but we would often end class at 9:30pm or later.
The Thursday class was on a three-week schedule. We would practice Vinyasa for two weeks and then on the third week we would enjoy a long, nourishing Yin Yoga practice. That Thursday night group was extra special.
After a year or so have having this every three week Yin class, some genius said that the only thing that could make the night better was wine! We agreed, and then someone else said, "Yes, but we will need STRAWS with bendy necks to sip while in the Yin Poses." There was an uproar of laughter and pact was made.
The next Yin practice, people brought bottles of wine, and bendy straws (that I snipped to make them shorter for the wine glasses)! It was a team effort and there was a lot of giggling. Three weeks later, when it was time for Yin again, everyone wanted to continue and so we added chocolate.
A ritual was born!
Here a picture that someone captured from one night in our super dark, candlelit studio!
Now keep in mind, while Yoga at a winery or brewery is now totally commonplace, back then NO ONE was doing this. Truthfully, a yogi either didn't drink or would never admit to enjoying the "sprits" from time to time. The rise in popularity of yoga into mainstream culture has shifted the casual perception of this, although devout linage-yogis still do not partake. For us, a decade and a half ago, this was scandalous (at least for me) and we all promised this would be our super secret society to preserve my reputation. Haha!
In 2010, our family made the move to Maryland. It was heartbreaking to close the studios and leave such a loving community. One silver lining of Covid has been that virtual yoga has reunited many of us!
I reflect back about starting a new life-chapter and the beautiful journey of meeting so many new friends through yoga in Maryland. I first started leading weekly classes at a local middle school dance studio, that I rented through the County, and offered low-cost community classes (some of you remember that). Then I began offering workshops and classes at local studios (where I met others of you). The community class really grew and we moved over to the Pathways Magazine's studio space where many more of us met and practiced together for years. It was there that Yin, Wine and Chocolate re-emerged yearly around Christmas. We would come together, talk, laugh, sip, nibble and Yin together in communion. What a meaningful time.
All of these experiences, events, and relationships have brought us to NOW. Its been 14 years of special Yin-ing with wine and chocolate across two states, three cities, several studio venues, and is now a beloved tradition of spending Valentines together at Roots & River Yoga for these last five years. It has evolved to include poems of about wine and devotion from Rumi, prose from Mary Oliver about the eminent transition of the resting phase of winter to the promise of rebirth in spring, all while deepening connection to our own self and our commitment to caring for others.
Feel free to join us Valentines Day. Let's keep celebrating community and the life-giving essence of LOVE together! I raise my glass to you and settle into a long sphinx pose.
In much adoration for our friendship, whether new or deeply forged.
~ Machelle
Here is a 90 minute Yin Yoga class focused on Self-Love for you to enjoy!