Shaded Whimsy

12/16/2023

I've been writing this post in my head for the last two weeks, but nothing seems right so I will just say this:

Twenty years ago today (TWENTY YEARS!!!) I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at the age of 22. It affects my life on an almost daily basis, but it doesn't hold me back. I love myself, I love my life, I love my support system. For me, this day each year since has been a day of celebration. Thank you to every single one of you who have had my back in one way or another!

12/02/2023

I sublet my studio space from a lovely and generous woman who owns a DIY candle-pouring studio. She will be leaving the building at the end of this year, and I have not yet found another location.

As it happens, I will be having a surgery sometime in January followed by a six-week recovery period. The universe is telling me that it is time for Shaded Whimsy to go on hiatus and I know better than to argue with the universe!

I've learned that things rarely go as planned, so I won't even guess at how long this break will last. If you'd like to be notified when I am ready to reopen, send me a DM with your email address.

I have had a wonderful time in my space in Southington; I've learned oodles and I have an abundance of gratitude for everyone who has taken a class, come to an event, or supported me in any way. Endless thanks to you!

TL;DR: The studio is closing and will reopen sometime in the future. Thanks for all of your support! .........
📸: Traci Schneider.........

10/11/2023

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out for the Vanity Kills launch party last night! I am grateful to each one of you for showing your support for a rising Connecticut author!

I am so, so proud of my friend Erica Summers and excited for what she's got planned for her readers!.........

10/10/2023

Today is Prime Day, so stick it to the big corporations and shop local!

Erica Summers will be at Shaded Whimsy TONIGHT for a book launch and signing! She'll have copies of her books for sale, including her newest release, Vanity Kills, right on time for Spooky Season 💀🔪

We'll have coffee, tea, water, and snacks at this FREE event where you can chat with the author, hear a live reading from Vanity Kills, get your books signed, and more.

Support a local Connecticut horror author tonight in Southington!

10/01/2023

Spooky! Glow! Yoga! Dance! Party!

Just in time for Halloween, join us for a night of yoga, dancing, and fun! We'll provide the glow sticks, the black light, and, most importantly, the spooky vibes. You just need to bring your yoga mat and your willingness to try something new! You'll be cued through yoga poses and encouraged to move to the beat while in certain poses. You'll be free to let the music take you between poses and flows. Whether you want to stretch, groove, or just chill, you'll be in the right place. No experience or skill required, just a readiness to let go and have fun. After the party, all attendees will get a special treat to take home. Don't miss this chance to stretch, dance, glow in the dark, and have a blast!.........

🎃There is a limited number of mats in the studio available to borrow. Please bring your own mat if you have one.

🎃If you will be wearing glitter, body paint, or anything similar, please bring your own mat to use.

🎃Costumes are welcome as long as they do not inhibit your movement or the movement of others.

🎃This event is for adults only. No children will be admitted. .........

Get tickets at https://www.shadedwhimsy.com/event-details/spooky-glow-yoga-dance-party.........

💀Spooky Glow Yoga Dance Party
🗓️Thursday, October 26th, 7-8pm
📍Shaded Whimsy
76 N. Main St
Southington, CT.........

09/21/2023

Updated class schedule! Testing out some new times for these shorter days coming 🍂🍂

⏰ Wednesdays, 4:30pm
🦥 Slow Gentle Yoga

⏰ Thursdays, 10:30am
🪑 Chair Yoga

⏰ Saturdays, 11am
🤲 Restorative Yoga

Book your classes at https://www.shadedwhimsy.com/group-yoga

I'm hoping to add another class or two early next year! What would you like to see? 🧘🕉️.........

09/07/2023

Endlessly proud of Jill-of-all-Trades, Master-of-Many, Erica Summers on her newest book release, Vanity Kills!

Please join me in celebrating the release of CT horror author Erica Summers' extreme body horror novel, Vanity Kills, at this Launch Party and Book Signing.

This is a free event with refreshments provided, though we do ask that you RSVP at the link so that we have plenty of refreshments on hand. https://rb.gy/f0f66

🗓️Tuesday, 10.10.23
⌚5:30 - 8pm
📍Shaded Whimsy
76 N Main St, Southington
(Next to the YMCA, in the Southington Land Trust Building.)

5:30 - 🤝 Meet & greet with author Erica Summers
6pm - 📖 Erica reads from Vanity Kills
6:15 - ❓ Q&A with Erica
6:45 - ✒️ Book signing with Erica

Meet and show your support for a local author, browse some of her books, ask her questions, and maybe go home with something new for your TBR list! .........

09/06/2023

This Saturday, September 9th, Alexandra Capaldo Yoga comes to Shaded Whimsy for the Ayurveda Workshop, What's Your Dosha?

Ayurveda translates to “The Science of Life.” It is the sister science of Yoga and utilizes Yoga and meditation as forms of medicine. Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and healing and is governed by the concept of “doshas” or “imbalance.” Each person is born with a unique balance of the 3 doshas called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. According to Ayurveda, illness is caused when these doshas come out of balance.

In this workshop, Alex will explain the properties of each of the three doshas, and how they manifest in the world around us and within ourselves. Each student will complete a detailed assessment to discover their unique dosha makeup. Once this is determined, we will discuss ways to help keep the doshas in balance as well as some of the cleansing rituals in Ayurveda which help to bring wellness and vitality to the body and promote health and healing.

Alexandra Capaldo is an ERYT-500 Certified Yoga Instructor as well as an Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist. She has been teaching Yoga in the Greater Waterbury area for over 10 years.

Tickets are $25 and on sale now at shadedwhimsy.com/upcoming-events. *Please note that this workshop may be cancelled if we do not have enough participants, so it may be a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time instead of at the door.*

Ayurveda Workshop
What's Your Dosha?
9.9.23, 2-3:30PM
Shaded Whimsy
76 N. Main St
Southington, CT
(Next to the YMCA, in the Southington Land Trust Building).........

09/05/2023

Our first Ecstatic Dance class was this last Friday evening and it was remarkable.

Alex recited the phenomenal poem depicted in the images to start the class before leading us through an hour of free-form movement.

I've been struggling with depression lately. At a moment during our movement, I noticed that I had subconsciously wrapped my arms around myself in an embrace. Once I noticed this, I reminded myself that I love myself and how extraordinary it is that I can now say that. It was a lovely and much-needed moment for me.

Ecstatic Dance classes led by certified instructor Alexandra Capaldo will happen at Shaded Whimsy every First Friday of the month from 6-7pm. Register at shadedwhimsy.com/upcomingevents

Alexandra Capaldo
Alexandra Capaldo Yoga .........

08/25/2023

Amazing! I would love to see more studies on this!

A recent study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that Kundalini yoga, which emphasizes breathing techniques, meditation, and movement, led to distinct brain connectivity changes in older women at risk of Alzheimer's, differing from those observed with memory enhancement training. While bot...

08/24/2023

Tomorrow (Friday, 8.25) is your last chance for gentle yoga in the gallery in tandem with the Behind the Mask: Finding Art Through Trauma Exhibit curated and presented by Grymm Studios.

Connect with your body while in the midst of the artwork on display for this meaningful and important exhibit. Embrace quiet and stillness and see if you can hear what the deepest parts of you have to share. Move your body with intention and mindfulness; you are in control. Breathe with full awareness. In this moment, in this space, you are pure.

Students will need to bring their own mats as well as any props they may prefer. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing in layers and to bring water to stay hydrated while in practice.

**The drop-in price for yoga at Shaded Whimsy is $15. This special discounted price of $10 is just for this event! Space is limited, so all students must pre-register. Registration/tickets can be found at https://www.shadedwhimsy.com/event-details/yoga-at-the-hartford-artspace-gallery.**.........

The Behind the Mask Exhibit brings attention to the importance of mental health in the arts and vice versa. The featured artists all live with mental health issues and/or traumas and use their art to express and work through these issues and traumas. The Exhibit will be on view from August 12th-26th at the Hartford ArtSpace Gallery, 555 Asylum Ave, Hartford.

- Friday, August 25th: YOGA CLASS from 6:30-7:30pm
- Saturday, August 26th: CLOSING PARTY from 6-9pm*

Starred events are FREE EVENTS and 100% of all donations given at those events will be presented to the Chrysalis Center, Inc. .........

08/23/2023

Support local businesses!
Support The Local Gourmet Cafe!