Remarkably, our long winter spluttered and sprinkled into spring, then reverted to winter several times, until it finally surrendered to sweltering, steamy streets of summer, with temperatures soaring in the 90s, with a ceiling of 100, in New York last week. I wistfully view children splashing through city playground sprinklers, remembering my city mom days of running laughing through sprinklers along with my kid and his little playmates.
 And, without the excuse of a preschool kid or grade school kid to usher us into the sprinklers, what have we got to relieve the heat? I carry a hand-fan and wear light fabrics as I can, and thermal bottles filled with cool beverages. I will whiz on wheels along the bike paths, riding to create some breeze on my skin. And I'll welcome the coolness of a bus or subway ride just to be out of the humidity.
What are your recourses to the heat? The external literal heat of pavements, the internal heat of judgments and criticism, assailed as we are by incessant exposure to the world's conflicts?
Purely literally and externally, a cold shower, or even a cool damp cloth on hot skin, is something most of us have access to. Big ice cubes in a water glass. Frozen fruit to whirr into a slush in a blender. And internally? Taking space to nap. To be still, the way we see dogs and cats and lizards in the heat. To breathe and be thankful for breath, for heartbeats. For a cool smile on a stranger's face. To be the cooling smile for a stranger or a friend. To gently meditate. To pray for peace. To give yourself a respite of a day or few days, of rest from service.
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 I've loved leading tropical retreats in the Dominican Republic at the all-inclusive beach resort I love to escape to, and am at right now this week! These winter retreat may resume for small groups for future winter. Reach out with a request!
Meanwhile, I'm delighted to be planning an Autumn 2026 Morocco town and desert, flow and restore, retreat, partnering with Qarrya Retreats and with my yogi spirit pal V.R.Colletti!
We will rock out the merry mayhem of music, flow yoga, meditative and mantric love, so keep tuned to the yoga vibe station! Plans are afoot!
 Morocco was one of my globe-trotting life adventures' highlights when I went in 2023, and I want to share all the town and desert love that I experienced there, with some very special playmates in 2026. Stay tuned & feel free to email me your excitement too!
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Email to request an Equinox guest pass for a club where you are not a member, if you need it! Here is my summer group class schedule:
 Email for Reiki, Thai, Restorative or Coaching privates.
Email directly for your next corporate event, too! My 7-Chakra crystal bowls are ready to sing you magic! Also offered: team building, journaling, coaching, and communication practices.
You can find my classes, workshops, retreats, cleanses, and more at my website anytime: MaryAranas.com.
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Privacy; Reply, Forward, Subscribe
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 I honor your privacy and never share email lists.
Thank you for our cyber sangha connection these nineteen years of my sending this monthly Enewsletter since January 2006.
I honor our humanity and how we all walk our life path with the best light we can guide ourselves with, the best intentions we can make for and of ourselves. And I eagerly look to share light, paths, and intentions with you, as our paths may meet!
Shalom, salaam, shanti ~ may Peace be in your heart, eyes, soul, arms, hands, feet, voice ... in your words and in your works.
OMMMMMMMMary
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There is still time for late registration for the year-long email Compassion Course that began June 18 and runs to June of 2026. Jump in now, before July 2nd!
A year's course may seem long ~ and yet it's comforting to know the Course accompanies you in your four seasons, in all your temperatures, weathers and moods! ~
In fact, this is my tenth year in the course. And I'm delighted to find more depth and joy in it, with each passing year.
Also, new joy each year growing along with others in a shared, more compassionate view of life, self, and relationships.
"Making life more wonderful" is how Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of NVC, described it.
Just as I find Yoga a perfect cross-training for other physical and spiritual endeavors, so I find the Compassion Course a perfect cross-training for human interactive living.
Check it out. Could this be your next adventure journey?
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 Photo thanks this issue to:
Cofresi Palm Beach & Spa Resort, Josué of DR Paradise Island Tours, author LaKeisha Fletcher & friend, Melissa George & Mark George, Raphael Aranas, Wari Om, Alexandra Ruiz, Jonny Nobleza, AcroYoga International. Any errors or omissions are entirely my oversight, with apologies!
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Mary Aranas Yoga & Wellness