“Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration. It ushers in fresh opportunities for growth.” – Pam Young
The drive back and forth to the studio allows me to mark the seasons. I watch as the leaves turn color before the trees release them to the ground and note how the darkness settles on the road a bit earlier each day. I often think of winter as a wonderful metaphor for what is to come. The barren trees and landscape suggest a blank canvas for creativity and connection, and the slower pace creates space for self-care and renewal. The plants are doing their good work underneath the soil in readiness for the spring.
This is a special winter season at the studio. As the metaphor suggests, there is much happening that is not visible. We are on the eve of the 5th anniversary of Quest for Balance Wellness, and 2024 ushers in fresh opportunities for growth.
Yes, it’s hard to believe it’s been nearly five years since I purchased our beautiful studio and launched Quest for Balance Wellness. It has been such an amazing journey, enriched by your presence and nurtured by your kindness and generosity. It isn’t always easy, but you keep hanging in there with me, and because you do, we continue to thrive and grow.
Just after Thanksgiving I’ll be taking a six-week medical leave. I’m grateful to each of my teachers for their commitment to sustaining the studio in my absence. We have been planning for this time but also planning for the future of the studio. And while it may seem like not much is happening, like the winter season, lots of growth is underway. We’ll begin 2024 by celebrating my fifth year of ownership and the studio’s 11th as a small business in Crawfordsville. We are planning a New Year’s Day celebration to kick off the year and will have other 5th anniversary celebrations throughout the year.
I think you’ll agree we are richly blessed by our teachers, and they too are excited by the fresh opportunities for growth. We will offer a new evening gentle yoga class beginning in February. You’ll be able to take advantage of special yoga classes like our introduction to yoga series or yoga for golfers. New workshops and classes on mindfulness, grief and loss, and self-care will complement those we currently offer. We will continue to explore ways to make the studio more visible in the community, building on ideas you have shared with us.
Five years ago, my first studio newsletter began “In immeasurable ways, the stewardship of Quest for Balance fulfills my lifetime call to support the wellness and wellbeing of others.” I am so grateful that this remains true. Even more, I am grateful for each of you. Your kindness, generosity, friendship, and care make our studio such a special place. Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to see what the next five years bring!
Fondly,
Jai