It is with a heavy, humble, and dare I say “hopeful” heart that I have decided to close the doors of Golden Buddha Yoga at the end of this month. But before we get to the end, lets go back to the beginning…

GBY happened by accident. I never had ambitions to open a yoga studio - quite the contrary actually, as I felt that having those kind of roots and commitments would prevent me from my travels. But I just put one foot in front of the other and kept following the path that was laid out before me....and well, you know the rest. Much to my delight, the God of my understanding had a much greater plan for my little side gigs of teaching yoga, music, community building, and preparing food. I am so grateful for the magnificence that unfolded over the years, and the beauty that we all created together.

As we have often discussed in classes, it’s important that we hold lightly to the “bad times” -because they pass. It’s equally important to not hold on too tight to the “good times” - because, they too, pass. And better yet - the most important thing to remember is that God cannot be divided into “bad” and “good”, “chaos” and “tranquillity”. The presence of God moves through everything, every experience, every moment. Covid has came down hard on all of us, especially small businesses, and we put up the good fight. But truth be told - it’s time to move in a new way. Golden Buddha Yoga has been my baby for nearly a decade and a half, and all of you my family. This decision has not come easily, but I trust that change is a necessary part of life and will always carry us to someplace new, someplace unknown, and a place of better alignment. A big change that has happened for me is that I have started a family. I am happy to share with all of you that this winter I got married and we are joyfully welcoming our first baby this summer! GBY is having a baby!

As sad as the closing may be, I’m reminded that GBY is less of a physical place, and more of a community that exists in all of our hearts. I started building GBY nearly 15 years ago, long before it had found its name, and long before I knew of the magnitude of what it would become. Some of you have been with me for that journey since the very beginning - some of you have only just joined in. No matter, it’s with a full, and heavy heart, that I say THANK YOU for all of the beautiful memories made and shared within the walls of GBY...and beyond! Our international retreats, at the beach, and all of the magical places that we have claimed as our own. But it is time to transition on. It’s not goodbye - as my offerings will continue, just in a new way...but the space that we have created together has run its course and will be closing its doors at 3pm on Sunday February 28th.

Years ago when I was running a retreat in Key West, Lynnie Myers gave me a Danna Faulds poetry book. This poem seems to fit the moment :

Let it Go by Danna Faulds

Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold:
the holding of plans or dreams or expectations – Let it all go.
Save your strength to swim with the tide.
The choice to fight what is here before you now will
only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts
to flee from the very energy you long for. Let go.
Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes
through your days whether you received it gently
or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders.
Take this on faith; the mind may never find the
explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward
nonetheless. Let go, and the wave’s crest will carry
you to unknown shores, beyond your wildest dreams
or destinations. Let it all go and find the place of
rest and peace, and certain transformation.

I wish all of us a graceful transition, and hope that this is not the end of our time together, but rather - just another new beginning.

Love, Cailin

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