March Newsletter
From Yoga Oasis with Darren Rhodes, Jan 2026
Dear friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and steady in the face of the challenges of our modern times. As usual, I don’t have anything particularly insightful to add to the onslaught of current events, so I’ll leave political and social commentary to the pundits and reflect instead on the power of practice.
Many of you know that I’ve been leading a weekly Teacher Development course through Yogaversity. In our first session, participants shared their “yoga origin stories.” As I listened, three themes stood out:
Nearly everyone found their way to yoga during a period of personal upheaval.
Each person described a moment of coming home—an inner expansion or deep settling that felt, in some way, magical.
Many began teaching in the hope of creating conditions where others might experience their own moments of awakening.
At their core, the stories were simple: I was falling. Yoga caught me. I teach in the hope it will catch you too.
The sincerity and vulnerability in these conversations—stories that included burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and more—reminded me how profoundly simple asana practice and teaching are at heart. Not easy, but simple.
On one hand, yoga asana is the most ordinary thing in the world: move, breathe, bring some mindfulness to your effort, and you will likely feel better by the end. On the other hand, something extra-ordinary unfolds through consistent practice over time. Both practitioners and teachers participate in a process that gradually builds capacity for presence, awareness, compassion, and renewal.
Each day offers an opportunity to step away from whatever is dominating our news feeds, breaking our hearts, or straining our best intentions to love our neighbors. We can place our attention instead on the multifaceted work of postural practice. In the “lather, rinse, repeat” rhythm of regular practice, the origin story continues: I am falling. Yoga catches me. I teach in the hope it will catch you too.
Of course, it’s wise to keep things grounded and to guard against grandiosity. But sometimes the ordinary framing of the practice—combined with the very real pressures of the modern yoga industrial complex—can feel like too small a story for both teachers and students to inhabit. When that happens, spiritual aridity sets in, and burnout, disillusionment, or cynicism soon follow.
Doing the small, daily work of stretching, engaging, bending, and twisting within a larger, more sustaining story is one way to inoculate ourselves against those enemies of joy and connection. It steadies the heart and strengthens the spirit for the work of living amid the stresses and strains of our times.
If you’re feeling the need to reconnect to that larger story, I hope you’ll come practice—whether in a regular class, a workshop, or an upcoming training. These gatherings are simple by design, but they are powerful in their consistency. I would be glad to see you there.
Love,
Christina
Online Platform Update
I’m happy to report that all of the 2025 classes have now been migrated to the new platform, and I’m currently working through converting and uploading the 2024 archive. There are now almost 1,400 classes available, spanning a wide range of formats and approaches.
If you’re new to the platform, the volume of content can feel a bit overwhelming. To make it easier to navigate, I’ve created a guide with brief class descriptions and direct hyperlinks to help you find what you’re looking for. You can download it here.
Upcoming Events Update
I have several upcoming workshops here in Bellingham that I’m truly excited about.
In May, I’m offering a four-day asana intensive with a slightly different format. Rather than two sessions per day, we’ll gather for one longer session with short breaks woven in—allowing time for conversation and contemplation alongside extended asana practice. Mornings will be open for optional local group hikes, and afternoons will be free for rest or personal exploration. Plan to stay Sunday evening for a potluck at my house—it’s always lively, delicious, and full of laughter. All levels are welcome. If you can’t attend the full intensive but would like to join for a few sessions, email me and we’ll work it out.
In June, my friend Mary Angelon Young and I will offer a three-day intensive called Care of the Soul. This gathering will include a gentle morning asana practice along with storytelling, writing, art-making, and sharing circles—designed to create a nourishing and supportive environment. In these modern times, opportunities to turn inward while also enjoying the good company of fellow travelers feel especially important. The asana will support the inner work, rather than the other way around, making this a different rhythm than a typical asana-focused weekend.
Looking ahead to the fall, October 31–November 3, 2026, my mentor James Frazier and I will offer a three-day Holotropic Breathwork intensive on Whidbey Island, WA. Holotropic Breathwork combines evocative music, focused breathing, and supportive bodywork to facilitate deep inner exploration. The residential retreat will include psycho-educational talks, group process, and creative expression in a supportive setting.
I’ve known James since 1994, when he mentored me in the Eupsychia Integrative Breathwork training program. He has facilitated personal growth workshops for more than 40 years and brings deep knowledge of Jungian psychology, shamanic traditions, addictions recovery, and human development. This intensive will also mark the culmination of a year-long mentorship process with him. Stay tuned for more details soon.
Email me if you’d like more information about any of these offerings.
