the
R E N E WA L issue
LIFE AFTER LOSS L I F E S T Y L E • C O M M U N I T Y • W E L L N E S S • N AT U R E • M O V E M E N T • A D V E N T U R E
SUMMER + FALL 2022
NATURAL HEALING + SPIRITUAL GETAWAYS
COLORADO IS PART OF THE YOGA + Life® FAMILY OF MAGAZINES.
PUBLISHER Jaunt Media Collective YOGA + Life® OWNER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Fuller YOGA + Life® OWNER + DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS Bobby L'Heureux YOGA + Life® MAGAZINES FOUNDER Juli Rathke CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chelsea Connolly MANAGING EDITOR Lexi Reich ASSISTANT EDITOR Lauren Farrauto COMMUNITY OUTREACH Laura Mills CONTRIBUTORS Cabrini Klepper, Elyce Neuhauser, Julie Bielenberg, Julie M. Gentile, Kali Basman, Kaitlin Emig, Kaity Holsapple, Kelsey Foster, Kim Fuller, Kimberly Nicoletti, Kristen Grace, Lauren Farrauto, Lexi Reich, Lisa Blake, Marisol Cruz, Marissa Angeletti, Marja Wilson, Olivia Lyda, Penny Wilson, Rachel Glowacki, Robin Hutchinson, Sandy Ferguson Fuller, Skip Hudson, Teresa Adele
PHOTOGRAPHY + ART Aaron Blanco Tejedor, Amauri Mejia, Ashlee Kay Photography, Brooke Austin, Chelsea Connolly, Chris Lawton, Craig Hoffman Photography, Hannah Grace, Joanie Schwarz Portraiture, John Felix Shaw, Karen Mills with Full Pour Media, Kim Fuller, Life Lens and Love Photography, Richard Seldomridge, Seth Beckton, Townsend Bessent
REGIONAL SALES Bobby L’Heureux NATIONAL SALES Bobby L'Heureux SUBSCRIPTIONS Please subscribe to our magazine at yogalifelive.com/cosubscribe/ ADVERTISING National Office: 860.230.8650 bobby@coyogalifemag.com | yogalifelive.com The paper content of this publication has been certifiably reforested via PrintReleaf – the world’s first platform to measure paper consumption and automate reforestation across a global network of reforestation projects. LEARN MORE AT PRINTRELEAF.COM
FEATURES YOGA + Life® Magazine kim@coyogalifemag.com | yogalifelive.com AFFILIATE OPPORTUNITIES YOGA + Life® bobby@coyogalifemag.com | 815.414.YOGA (9642) yogalifelive.com COVER Cover photography by Townsend Bessent
photo: flickr.com/nicholas_t | CC BY
2022 YOGA + Life® Magazines. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Company cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine.
Letter from the editor / Summer + Fall
YOGA + Life® publishers Kim Fuller + Bobby L’Heureux
DEAR READERS,
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s change is inevitable on this earth and throughout the life of each being on it, renewal is the celebration of every transformation as it comes to be. We’ve seen how drastic life shifts can be on any scale, from the immense global impact of a pandemic to unimaginable devastation from catastrophes like the Marshall Fire on December 30, 2021 in Boulder County. We were inspired to theme this issue RENEWAL because in the cycles and seasons of the earth we know that with death there is life, as with every sunset there then comes a sunrise. After a fire destroys everything in its path, given time, the ash-covered ground will renew and yield new growth. As CO YOGA + Life® writers started submitting their articles this past spring, so
many stories of resilience emerged — those who have faced adversity and come out changed, renewed, on the other side. In the pages that follow, you’ll read about teachers and leaders who are making a difference in their communities and beyond; you’ll be inspired to journey somewhere that lights you up and to connect with someone who may need that light; you’ll feel the sadness from those who have lost, and also the hope that rises in the spirit of renewal. In Gratitude,
Kim Fuller, Owner + Editor-In-Chief YOGA + Life® Magazines kim@coyogalifemag.com
Photos by Kim Fuller
Based in Vail, Colorado, KIM FULLER is a freelance writer, editor and photojournalist in addition to her role at YOGA + Life®. She is co-founder of In Your Element, a yoga and outdoor adventure company, and a board member for the nonprofit Big Heart Big Hands. Kim has been published in a number of national publications and is the co-founder of Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind YOGA + Life®, Spoke+Blossom and Covered Bridge. When she is not diligently writing and editing in her mountain nook, teaching yoga around town or finding a new adventure, find Kim at a local cafe or craft brewery where she enjoys the more indulgent side of inspiration. See more of her work at kimfullerink.com and follow her on Instagram @lifeinfull.
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contents / Summer + Fall 2022
CONTENTS RENEWAL 5
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Rising up from the ashes
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ABOUT THE COVER Renewal inspiration with Townsend Bessent
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TEAM YOGA + LIFE®
The people behind the publication
PROFILES
CO influencers // teachers + leaders // studios
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COLORADO INFLUENCER Brittany Phelps Romano of Thrive Yoga Studios
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TEACHERS + LEADERS Cathy Phelps; Claire Ewing; Jeremiah Davidson
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STUDIOS Yoga House Montrose; Anya Yoga Collective
LIFESTYLE
books // art // community // travel // what we love
22 YOGA + LIFE READING CORNER Reviews by Sandy Ferguson Fuller + Kim Fuller
24 MAKE ART. LIVE SIMPLY. BE HAPPY. Ridgway artist Deidra Krois
25 STORIES ON SKIN Reiki at Disruptive Ink Tattoo
26 JOYFUL JOURNEY HOT SPRINGS A getaway to reboot + renew
28 CO ESCAPE TO KINSHIP LANDING Comfort + community in Colorado Springs
30 TRAVEL Photo courtesy of Yoga House
Belize is calling
34 INNER LIGHT JUICE Get berry balanced
36 WHAT WE LOVE Essential products for summer + fall
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YOGA + FITNESS
movement // in the practice // seva // retreats
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38 YOGA SEQUENCE TO GROUND + UPLIFT Flow with more intuitive movements
40 TRANSFORMING TRAUMA + Tapping into soul power
42 RISING FROM THE ASHES Seeking renewal amidst deep loss
43 THE YOGA OF MENOPAUSE Practices to unify body, mind + spirit
44 RE-NEW, RE-YOU Come back to your circle of compassion
46 LIFE AFTER LOSS Humane Society helps after the Marshall Fire
48 BEYUL RETREAT Aligning humans with nature
50 RENEWING THE SPIRIT “I have to stop and quiet myself …”
WELLNESS
ayurveda // health // inspiration // food
60 CELEBRATING THE SEASONS Annual lessons from Ayurveda
OUTSIDE
62 3 SELF-CARE TIPS
52 BENEFITS OF FOREST BATHING
63 BODY, MIND + SPIRIT
fresh air // adventure // environment // gear
Renew your energy The quantum connection
Heighten + renew the senses
54 CLOUD LADDER VIA FERRATA Adventure day in Estes Park
64 REDISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR WRITING “Creativity is great medicine for all …”
56 HUT CENTRIC CLIMATE PROJECT Support the 10th Mountain Huts initiatives
66 RENEW YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF Accepting your “here-and-now” body
58 GEAR GUIDE
68 RECIPES
Goods for summer + fall
4 recipes for renewal
EVENTS + DISTRIBUTION Photo Courtesy of Joanie Schwarz Portraiture
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gatherings // community listings // ambassadors // partners
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FEATURED GATHERING Telluride Yoga Festival; Vail Wine Classic
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EVENTS THIS SEASON June 2022 through November 2022
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YOGA + LIFE AMBASSADORS Meet these inspiring individuals
80 DIRECTORY YOGA + Life Annual Partners
82 NAMASTE YOGALIFELIVE.COM
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profiles / About the Cover
BY Cabrini Klepper
TOWNSEND BESSENT Photographer
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Photos by townsend bessent
I left the site covered in soot, and with an overwhelming reverence for Mother Nature’s uncanny ability to heal.
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other Nature takes the crown as the queen of renewal. Photographer Townsend Bessent captured this extraordinary image at a the burn site of a spring wildland fire in Gypsum, Colorado. According to Bessent, the picture represents a poignant contrast between death and new life; the blade of grass signifies a beacon of hope emerging from chaos and destruction. Just as verdure drives through the earth, begins again and takes root — so can we: ready for renewal. “This fire was human caused, yet fire-adapted ecosystems require significant disturbances in order to reproduce and flourish. The burn releases nitrogen back into the soil, life is reborn, and the ecosystem is often better off for it,” Bessent explains. “I can’t help but make the comparison to ourselves — does it not often take significant disturbances in our lives for us to finally make a change for the better?” Bessent says he felt blown away by Mother Nature’s ability to heal and replenish. His goal for the cover photo was to find a fresh burn and seek new life, but Bessent discovered burn sites regenerate quickly. Groundcover hurriedly sought to mend the landscape, limiting Bessent’s ability to capture what his imagination prophesized. He needed a compelling contrast between cessation and resurgence to symbolize new beginnings. Eventually, on a day of mood-setting high-winds and rain, Bessent located the recent remnants of the Gypsum fire, which happened less than a week prior. “The wind was scattering seeds over the flattened ground and moisture was providing the necessary means for life to begin again,” Bessent shares. “I left the site covered in soot, and with an overwhelming reverence for Mother Nature’s uncanny ability to heal.” Fires play a significant role as a catalyst for change and rebirth. Bessent reflects on a Colombian tradition, where people burn a doll that represents the “old you” every New Year’s Eve. “You can place all the things you want to change about yourself inside and allow the fire to help you begin anew,” Bessent conveys. “We can all be that little blade of grass.” +
charlestownendphotography.com
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CABRINI KLEPPER feels passionately about yoga and meditation as gateways to living a more mindful, present life. When she’s not running or writing, she teaches at CorePower Yoga and the University of Colorado Recreational Center. She will graduate with a B.A. in journalism and minors in geography, business and sociology from CU. Cabrini currently interns at Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind Spoke+Blossom, Covered Bridge and YOGA + Life magazines.
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profiles / Behind the Pages
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YOGA + Life®
meet the team
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1. KIM FULLER Owner + Editor-In-Chief
3. JULI RATHKE YOGA + Life® Founder
Based in Vail, Colorado, Kim is a freelance writer, editor and photojournalist in addition to her role at YOGA + Life®. She is co-founder of In Your Element, a yoga and outdoor adventure company, and a board member for the nonprofit Big Heart Big Hands. Kim has been published in a number of national publications and is the co-founder of Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind YOGA + Life®, Spoke+Blossom and Covered Bridge. When she is not diligently writing and editing in her mountain nook, teaching yoga around town or finding a new adventure, find Kim at a local cafe or craft brewery where she enjoys the more indulgent side of inspiration. See more of her work at kimfullerink.com and follow her on Instagram @lifeinfull.
Juli is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and has been publishing magazines since 2002. She is the creator and founder of the YOGA + Life® brand. She is a multifaceted business woman, author, teacher and influencer bridging the gap between the yoga and business worlds while remaining a fearless optimist for the human condition. Join Juli on Y+L’s new online platform called, “The Practice,” with her weekly classes and musings. Juli is also completing her first book which provides a road map for success in life and business while navigating those constant obstacles. Julirathke.com
2. BOBBY L’HEUREUX Owner + Director of Partnerships At the heart of his work, Bobby thrives on community and connection. As co-founder of Jaunt Media Collective, the company behind YOGA + Life®, Spoke+Blossom and Covered Bridge, Bobby successfully develops and sustains collaborations with entrepreneurs and businesses all over Colorado and beyond. Bobby lives in the Vail Valley where he teaches yoga and runs Big Heart Big Hands, a non-profit that supports mountain safety and awareness. He is a legacy ambassador for Lululemon and Lolë, and his yoga classes are always led with a big smile and a relaxed demeanor. jauntmediacollective.com.
4. CHELSEA CONNOLLY Creative Director With a cultivated eye for design, Chelsea's work has been influencing luxury publications and brands for over a decade. Chelsea calls Breckenridge her home but the Colorado native has been shaped personally and professionally by living all over the world. In addition to designing CO YOGA + Life® and Covered Bridge, you'll find her spearheading the look and feel of award-winning beauty brands, world-class restaurants and bespoke boutiques. In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys the Colorado outdoors, live music, yoga, entertaining, traveling the world and spending time with her husband and two young sons. Follow her on Instagram @thechelseaconnolly.
5. LEXI REICH Managing Editor After experiencing a yoga ashram nestled in the mountains of Colorado, Lexi became enthralled in the practice of yoga and meditation, and earned her yoga teacher training at the sacred space. Originally from Chicago, Lexi
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loves the holistic lifestyle she found in Colorado, and combining this passion with her writing is what makes her truly happy. Outside of her role as managing editor at Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind YOGA + Life®, Spoke+Blossom and Covered Bridge, Lexi spends most of her time freelancing and leading yoga classes. Besides this, you can find her hiking or daydreaming about traveling. Learn more at lexireich.com.
6. LAUREN FARRAUTO Assistant Editor An avid reader and writer for as long as she can remember, Lauren has always loved the power of the written word and a good story. As assistant editor for Spoke + Blossom, YOGA + Life® and Covered Bridge magazines, her dreams of helping others craft their own stories are finally becoming a reality. Lauren is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a double major in English and Women and Gender Studies. When she's not knee-deep in edits for Jaunt Media Collective, Lauren can be found in her home state of California curled up with a good book.
7. LAURA MILLS Community Outreach Laura is a member of the Jaunt Media Collective relationships team. She loves everything outdoors, especially if she can bring her border collie puppy, Fern. A change in career paths lead Laura to expand her horizons and take a stab at creating content. If not in the woods, you can find Laura on the beaches of Maine, where she has lived for most of her life.
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