Dear Reader,
We’re officially in the heart of summer, which means it’s that sweet, sun-drenched stretch of long days and shifting rhythms. While this season often feels fast and full, I’m choosing something quieter this year: a family getaway tucked in the trees, space to unplug, and a little extra intention behind the scenes as I prepare for a mini-sabbatical in August. (Yes, big things are coming, including a new name, new website, and refreshed offerings I can’t wait to share.)
But for now? I’m leaning into the in-between: rest before the reveal.
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In Today’s Edition
- A mini mindfulness practice for your next road trip
- The book that’s teaching me how to work with chaos
- What to do with your body when you're stuck in a seat for too long
- A mid-summer sound healing session — and you’re invited
- Prepping for a full August business refresh
Mindful Movement for the Road
Summer usually means more movement and more sitting — in cars, on planes, even in Adirondack chairs. But just because you’re seated doesn’t mean you can’t be present.
Whether you’re traveling an hour or across the country, here’s a gentle travel-friendly reset you can do without a yoga mat:
- Roll your shoulders back and down
- Relax your jaw and unhinge your brow
- Sit up tall and let your spine lengthen
- Slowly roll your neck side to side
- Take three full, slow breaths (in through your nose, out through your mouth)
- If you stop for gas or snacks, take a short walk or stretch at the pump
Little shifts like these help make sure your body and nervous system are grounded, open, and less tense when you get to where you’re going.
If you want a more in-depth tutorial on how to incorporate mindful movement into your travel, I’ve created two free resources for you to use! Print these out or save them to your phone for your next road trip.
What I’m Reading
I read When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön for my book club, and I’m still thinking about it! Written in 2002, it somehow feels more relevant every time I pick it up to reread my favorite passages. Pema’s wisdom is both clear-eyed and compassionate, and this line stuck with me recently:
In chapter 14 - “The Love That Will Not Die”, Pema Chödrön challenges the idea that spiritual awakening is about rising above pain. Instead, she offers something I find so comforting and real—we awaken by going deeper into the experience of our human lives, not away from them.
Rather than escaping the mess, the heartbreak, and the discomfort, we soften into it. We allow ourselves to feel it all, without rushing, without pushing, without needing to fix or transcend it.
I love this reminder: that healing doesn't happen in spite of the mud, but in it. That the love we’re searching for—the kind that never dies—is found right there at the bottom, in the places we were taught to avoid. And we don’t have to go alone. We're in this with others, all walking our way down the mountain, into the heart of things.
With chapters like It’s Never Too Late, Three Methods for Working with Chaos, and The Path Is the Goal, there is truly so much to love about Chödrön’s writing. If you’re navigating any kind of transition — whether it's personal, seasonal, or spiritual — this book might be the steady hand you need.
If you’d like to add this book to your summer reading list, you can get your copy HERE.
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Sound Healing & Summer Sweat
On Monday, July 21st, I’m partnering with Cara D’Orazo of CGM Fitness to offer a restorative sound healing experience after one of her virtual strength classes, and you’re invited to join for FREE.
You’ll be welcomed into her workout community for the movement session (think: high vibes, not high pressure), then I’ll guide a calming sound bath to help you transition into the evening with softness and clarity. We’ll also touch on the basics of Reiki and restorative rest, and you’ll leave with a pose to carry with you through the rest of the week.
To claim a spot, just reply to this email with your name and email address. I’ll send you the Zoom link the day before the event.
A Fresh Chapter for Donna Sarah Yoga
While I’m keeping my work light this summer, there’s a quiet transformation happening behind the scenes. In August, I’ll be stepping back for a short sabbatical to reflect and reset, and when I return, I’ll be sharing a brand-new website, a refined name, and a reimagined vision for this space.
It’s all rooted in the same soul of my work — gentle yoga, sound healing, and whole-body well-being — but with new energy and alignment for the season ahead.
Stay tuned. It’s going to be beautiful.
Final Thoughts
As the summer continues to unfold, I hope you find your own small ways to pause, even if just for a few deep breaths at a rest stop or a page of a book before bed. Remember: rest doesn’t always look like lying down. Sometimes, it’s a quiet shift in how we carry ourselves through the day.
With warmth and gratitude,
Sarah
Founder of Restored by Donna Sarah
Guiding women home to themselves—one breath, one bloom, one sacred pause at a time.
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Do you want to add creative, new dimensions to your life and your personal yoga work? If so, you’re in the right place. Whether you want to enhance your daily practice, join others in a blended experience workshop, journey to an exotic location, or even just give yourself a pause to meditate, let’s plan your next yoga adventure today.
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