10/01/2025
Full Moon Yoga & Meditation (https://tanayogastudioBOOKACLASS.as.me/Fullmoonoct)
Sunday, October 5, 2025
with Brandy & Dani
10:00am - 11:30am
Welcome to October!
After a year of planning, my daughter's wedding was a perfect day, and I was able to be fully present with my family and embrace the moment. It’s true, though, that we can only carry so much. Over the last three months, I had to step back from my full-time commitment to the studio and my own practice to focus on what was most important. I hope you will accept my apologies if you felt my absence. In my place, I hope you felt the unwavering presence of the amazing team I've built at TANA Yoga. I am beyond grateful for them.
As I return to my mat, I'm looking forward to the changing season and finding comfort in the cooler weather. Thank you for voting us the Best of the Illinois Valley two years in a row—we will continue to live up to this recognition.
This month, I’m excited to share a note of inspiration from our wonderful meditation teacher, Brandy Gilbreth. I simply don't have enough words to express my admiration for her. I'm thrilled to be joining her as she leads a retreat in Ohio this November. Join Brandy on Tuesdays at TANA Yoga for a guided meditation class at 6:45 pm (in person or via Zoom).
((big hugs))
Amy
An Inspiring Note from Brandy
After three consecutive miscarriages, finding out I was pregnant with Goldie was although hard to admit, more terrifying than it was joyful. Even as we moved int the second trimester and beyond, I still found myself anxious, worried and fearful.
Throughout my pregnancy, TANA remained the only place I could go to come
back to myself, to let everything else go and simply be. My home away from
home. There’s an energy at TANA that cannot easily be found outside its walls. I know you feel it too.
Beyond the energetics, Goldie was the most physically challenging of my
pregnancies. But every day I showed up at TANA and moved my body, my
discomfort was eased and I was able to sleep easier at night. I moved slower an slower, and every movement became increasingly more challenging with each week that passed. The combination of breath and movement never failed to cal my mind and ease my heart, though. Yoga was my anchor throughout pregnancy.
Each class invited me to slow down, breathe deeply and listen closely to my
body’s wisdom. On the mat, I found moments of peace amidst the uncertainty
and intensity of pregnancy. I went to Joann’s class on my due date and was
applauded for simply showing up and sent home with countless well wishes for a smooth delivery and transition to a family of five. I went to Trish’s class two day past my due date and cried at the end with a heart filled with gratitude for all that TANA had given me throughout my pregnancy.
The breathwork and mindfulness practices we share prepared me to approach
labor not only with strength, but with trust and surrender. When the time came, I leaned on my breath, on the resilience I had been nurturing, and on the dee connection my yoga practice fosters between body, mind, and heart My contractions started on the morning of June 8 th and my body was ready. I used my practice to ease me through labor - child’s pose, low lunge, cat/cow all brought me relief and again, brought me back to myself. After eight hours of labor, I delivered Goldie while in a yogi squat in a matter of minutes and with minimal, easeful effort.
I carried all of you with me into that sacred moment—the teachings, the
encouragement, the quiet support of a community who believes in this practice. For that, I am endlessly grateful.
I truly believe that it’s because of my dedication to my practice and the endless energetic giving of TANA Yoga that my Goldie girl is the easiest, calmest, go with the flow baby. My little yogi.
Thank you for being part of my journey, and for reminding me again and again
that yoga is not just movement—it’s preparation for life’s most profound
thresholds.
Your love and support throughout my pregnancy, delivery and into life with a
newborn, has not gone unnoticed. It has brought joy and peace to this journey
that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to find.
Eternally grateful for each of you.
xo
Brandy (https://www.tanayogastudio.com/instructors/ -gilbreth)
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