Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

I am completely in the flow of the New Year's fresh start. Since William was born my husband Brad and I have long flirted with the idea of making a move from the city.

Finally, after endless conversations and open houses, we are actually gearing up to make that big move from our urban home in Hoboken - where I've been living for almost 20 years - to the trees and grass of Montclair New Jersey! We’ve been renovating an old house (circa 1900) since September and just need to make some finishing touches before we can schedule a move in date for sometime this February.

While I am so excited to ride this wave of change, it has been a bit scary to let go of my comfort zone and that which I’ve called home for so long. (Plus the photo to the left is actually from my living room. It is amazing to practice yoga while watching the sun rise spread through the sky behind the complete NYC skyline. Hard to leave.)

In the beginning I needed help to point my mind in an inspiring direction. So each morning since May I read a yellow sticky note inside my bathroom mirror from TUT.com that reads:

“The great thing about change, Jillian, is that it absolutely, positively, always means things are going to get even better. Even when you don’t know how.”

And so it goes... We've been commuting daily to Montclair for William's school and house renovations since September and are absolutely in love with the town and community! I haven't moved yet but I already feel at home.

The beginning of the New Year, a move, a new relationship, a birth, leaving a job, and finishing school are all times of change that ignite us to re-start our engines. Events like these naturally rouse us to open to a new wave of energy as we reset or recommit to our intentions.

Change is in the air now. Take some time to sit with this inspiring New Year’s energy. To pause and clarify what you want to cultivate in your life; what you want to open to.

One of the most perfect ways to illuminate your most inner intentions is to take a break; a complete ‘refresher’.

Or, come on a retreat!

I’m so looking forward to leading these two fabulous retreats (noted below) this winter! I’ll be returning to the blissful natural wonderland of Mohonk Mountain House in February and to the Caribbean paradise of Isla Mujeres, Mexico in March.

Come join me and take the time to have fun, replenish, and reconnect to yourself and the beauty with in and around you.

With great joy!
Jillian

As the Maitri Upanishad states, “As is ones thought, so one becomes.” Your intentions and thoughts create your actions. When you set an intention you become clearer about why you're doing something; what kind of attitude you want to commit to having; and what you hope to cultivate from the experience. In addition, when you are clear about our intention, you can more easily recognize any actions, reactions or self-talk that doesn't support you. But the thing to remember – the really important thing- is that you can recommit to your intention in any moment.

In yoga, we practice to cultivate presence so that we can be with each breath – in each moment. When we are present in this way, our actions most closely reflect our intentions. Our actions become the art that our intentions create.

Of course this is hard work! But when you feel that your intentions have flown out the window, you can pause, take a breath, and start again in ANY moment, ANY time!

I do this with my 4 year old son William all the time. When he acts out in an unacceptable way, (if I can catch myself from the knee jerk reaction of just yelling at him) I ask him, “Do you want to choose another way of saying that?” Or, “do you want to start again? Have a redo?” And he always chooses the opportunity to start over. This not only helps ME feel better as I have an opportunity to let go of my own anger response (and I always like his second choice better) but he also feels so much better because as he regains control of his actions and feelings. Plus he's usually so much happier with the response from everyone. (Starting over again, winds up being a win win for everyone!)

The good news is you don’t have to act out in a reproachful way to get a chance to ‘start again’. You can do it with at any time you feel a little of course. Each breath is a chance to be more conscious: Take a deep breath, pause, and choose to act in a way that expresses your deepest intentions.

After all... “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”   

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Find your own perfect balance of renewal, rest, and play at this incredible make-your-own spa retreat. You will be deeply nourished by the spectacular natural landscape, as The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House is perched atop legendary cliffs above a pristine mountain lake. Since 1869, this historic unique mountaintop resort has been an extraordinary destination for the renewal of body, mind, and spirit.

During the weekend make your own schedule and choose all or any of Jillian’s four yoga classes or Nina’s meditation sessions. Indulge in a world class menu of spa treatments, sit by the fire in the solarium, soak in the out door heated mineral pool; enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool and state of the art fitness center. You may also try Pilates, Qigong, aerobics and water classes.

For the outdoor lover there is incredible hiking, ice skate, and cross country skiing right on the grounds. For family’s there is a kid’s camp and baby sitting (Great family vacation!).

This weekend is appropriate for students of all levels but will be geared mainly towards beginners. Classes will be large as this is a very popular get-a-way.

For complete brochure visit: http://dev.tigglobal.com/Mohonk/pdfs/YogaMeditation08.pdf
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or visit mohonk's web site at: http://www.mohonk.com/

and Jillian's web site at http://www.yogajillian.com.

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“This is the perfect vacation: beautiful place, inspiring people, and fantastic yoga. It was simply amazing.” – Pamela

“The yoga in paradise retreat was healing sun, white sand, gleaming stars, gentle breezes, swaying hammocks, no clocks and yoga yoga yoga. Two words for you, just go!" – Renee

Come relax and renew with soft white sand, crystal Caribbean water, golden sunshine, and delicious yoga. We will share a two-hour yoga practice each morning and six evening classes throughout the week. The rest of the time is yours to vacation in paradise however you desire.

For more information visit www.yogajillian.com or call 201 377 7010.

TO REGISTER call Feathered Pipe at 406 442 8196 or visit http://www.featheredpipe.com/workshops/jillian_pransky.php

“We had such an amazing time. Our hearts are overflowing with Sunshine!...The friends (old and new), the great yoga, the food, the breezes, the laughs... I could go on and on --thank you for organizing such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy life!!!” – Michele.  

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Thank you for reading everyone. Remember, the equinox is considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life.

May you stop and ‘smell’ the leaves!

With great joy,
Jillian