Michelle Roy Yoga, Nashville, TN (2026)

06/08/2026

Hello Sweet Friends ~

My dear sweet dad passed Friday morning, June 5. It was swift and intentional, a powerful thing to witness. His passing was the most extraordinary event of my life. I am so grateful for my practice; I was able to be there fully, all of me, there with him as the last bits of yang slipped out of his body.

His passing has me contemplating many things, and one is Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching about how we continue in the world. The example Thay often uses is a cloud. As the cloud becomes rain, snow, or hail, the form we recognize as a cloud may cease to exist, but it is not "gone," it just continues as a form of precipitation. Thay says we are all clouds.

There is an obvious continuation from parent to child. We can literally see the parent in the child and grandchildren. Parents also exist inside of us in ways that are not obvious - in the lessons they have taught us, the actions they have modeled for us, and in the speech we have used to communicate over the years. Our loved ones continue in friends and family, and everyone they have taught or inspired over the years. They also continue in the elements around us - the energy that animated them returns to wholeness, like a drop rejoining the ocean.

Everything that is good in me came from my dad. He was my first and greatest teacher, my beacon, my nurturer, my safe harbor, and one of life's greatest joys. All of his best qualities exist in me and come out in my parenting, my teaching, my friendships, and in my partnership with my beloved. The ever-present sparkle in his eye continues in the world as shimmering sunshine, golden reflections on the Gulf waters at sunset, and the jeweled gleam of the early morning dew. I have chosen this picture of him as it really captures his Spirit. That bright soul shine coming thru his eyes never left until he closed them one last time. I will forever see him in the sparkling beauty around me.

Thank you for letting me share what turned out to be a relatively short and gentle journey with my dad. It suits his character. When he is determined to do something, he just does it. A no-time-like-the-present-kinda-guy, he went out like he lived - with humor, courage, and a whole lotta love. 🩵🩵

06/03/2026

Hello Sweet Friends ~

In Taoist philosophy, Yang is the active, animating force of life - the spark that moves us and fills the body with life. Yin is the earthly body, the form that receives and contains that spark of life.

At death, these forces separate. Yin returns to the earth. Yang returns to the heavens.

Often, in the days or weeks before death, there is a surprising resurgence of Yang. A person who has been sleeping begins to talk. Someone who has been confused becomes lucid. They eat. They laugh. They interact. They seem more like themselves, as if our person has come back. We almost believe they are getting better. In the hospice world, this is known as "terminal lucidity."

Taoist theory teaches us that this is Yang gathering itself for its final ascent. One teacher described it to me this way: at the end of life, as metabolism changes and the body prepares itself for its final rest, our loved one is sleeping more, their organs are beginning to slow down, etc., so less Yang is needed in the body. This "excess Yang" then is released in an upward burst, thus resulting in the phenomenon known as Yang rising. Afterward, we commonly see a sharp decline, as most of the Yang has been exhausted.

I've been watching this unfold with Dad. Last week, he rallied. His French Canadian family drove all the way from Quebec to visit him. In the days before they arrived, Dad was up, clean shaven and dressed - not just in sweats and a T-shirt - he was in a collared shirt and belted pants. He was remarkably present and remained this way throughout most of their time here.

On the last day of their visit, he rallied one more time. We all gathered at our home for a BBQ lunch and we told stories, shared laughter, and sang songs, and all the while Dad stayed engaged far longer than I thought possible. It was a miraculous experience.

Beneath my gratitude was the quiet understanding that this was likely Dad's last outing. I had borne witness to the Yang rising, and recognized it for what it was. The beauty of it was how it unfolded in the most natural and organic way. We didn't try too hard or overthink details, we just gathered together and poured our love into this wonderful man. And he rose to the occasion valiantly.

I am so grateful for the wisdom of this practice. It keeps me in tune with the natural rhythms of the world and the cycles of life. Recognizing what was happening allowed me to be even more present on that resplendent afternoon. The picture I have shared reflects our love and joy perfectly. As my precious aunt said of our day, "Ce sera gravé dans nos cœurs pour toujours." It will be engraved in our hearts forever.

Let's not wait for the Yang to rise in order to be present with our loved ones. We can call them, write them, and let them know how important they are. Let's give ourselves the gift of being present with them with all of our being. Then when it's time to let them go, we'll have no regrets.

May we remain ever vigilant to our practice. 🙏🏼

06/01/2026

Hello Sweet Friends ~

Last month, my dad started home hospice. Always wanting to share with you how the practice manifests for us off the mat, I thought I'd start a series of reflections called Dad's Diary. Following is an excerpt from my writings this morning, followed by deeper insights as they relate to the Six Bardos of Tibetan Buddhism.

*The house is quiet.
Dad is asleep, and for the first time in several hours, no one needs anything from me.
Hospice has turned our days into something that feels strangely familiar - sort of like having a newborn. The needs come around the clock. Every few hours there is medication to give, a blanket to adjust, a question to answer, a concern to soothe.
I am tired in a way that lives beneath sleep.
This morning, coffee in hand, I found myself thinking about the Buddhist teachings on the Bardos—the transitional states between what was and what will be.
The Bardo of Dying is obviously about the person who is leaving, and it also about the people who remain...*

In his book, In Love with the World, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche describes the Six Bardos (bardo literally means "in-between") not simply as states we encounter after death, but as transitional spaces we move through constantly. Every ending, every uncertainty, every moment when the familiar dissolves and something new has not yet arrived is a kind of bardo.

I'm not just witnessing my father's Bardo of Dying.
I'm living through one myself.
The daughter I have been for decades is changing.
The father I've known for decades is changing.
The relationship itself is changing.
We are both standing at a threshold.

Some themes from the Bardo of Dying that are resonating for me right now:

*Impermanence
It's easy to discuss impermanence in a yoga class within ideal conditions. It's something else entirely to witness it directly in my father's living room. The teachings don't change, but the intimacy does. I always tell my students I'm not just up here (at the front of the yoga room) offering nice sentiments - I actually expect us to put these teachings to use in the Life Practice. What do we do when the rubber hits the road? When these teachings are no longer abstractions and instead become hard reality staring us in the face at 2am?

*The Dissolving of Identity
In traditional descriptions of the dying process, there is a gradual dissolution—not only of the body, but of the identities we cling to. I am witnessing my father release pieces of who he once was. He, quite graciously, is letting go of his independence, physical strength, and mental clarity. At the same time, I am letting go of my own identities, no longer a daughter who seeks guidance, and instead the one providing it.

*Presence Is the Practice
One of the most moving themes in Mingyur Rinpoche's writing is that we don't need to control these transitions. We need to meet them. The invitation becomes: Can I be here for this moment? Not anticipating any outcome or the grief that hasn't fully arrived yet. Just this breath. This cup of coffee. Stolen moments in a quiet house.

*Love Without Clinging
Maybe the most difficult lesson of all. Much of caregiving is doing: medications, appointments, equipment, logistics. Yet underneath all of that is a deeper practice: loving my dad while simultaneously learning to let him go. Tending to his every need, seeing every moment as a seva (an act of selfless service) knowing that someday this privilege of accompanying him on his death journey will be past.

I have full acceptance around my dad's transition - however long it takes, and whatever may come up along the way. I'm not saying the process is without challenge. But it is manageable, absolutely a part of the cycle of life. I see my role, and I am doing my best to rise to the occasion. All along the way, I will share my journey with you, and most of all, share how this ancient, wise practice always rises to meet us when we need it the most.

May we remain ever vigilant to our practice. 🙏🏼

05/07/2026

I’ll be traveling over the next couple of weeks, stepping away from our regular class rhythm for a bit. [Note: I will be teaching my regular classes at Heart and Light Yoga on Wed. May 13.]

Spring carries a natural energy of movement and growth, and also invites us to stay connected to ourselves in simple, steady ways.

While we’re apart, you might explore:

• Gentle twists or side stretches to keep the gallbladder channels moving
• Time outdoors; letting your gaze soften on something green
• A few moments of stillness at the end of your day
• Noticing where the breath moves easily and where it might be more restricted

Your practice doesn’t have to be long or elaborate to be meaningful. Sometimes the smallest moments of awareness are the ones that impact us the most.

I’ll be looking forward to practicing together again soon. 💛

05/05/2026

Our Golden Hour Reads book club just completed Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Her beautiful writing inspired wonderful discussion in our group. We all shared favorite passages and many of us described a pining to know a culture in which living in symbiotic harmony with the Earth and her seasons was the way of life. I am sharing one of my favorite quotes below:

"The moral covenant of reciprocity calls us to honor our responsibilities for all we have been given, for all that we have taken. It's our turn now, long overdue. Let us hold a giveaway for Mother Earth, spread our blankets out for her and pile them high with gifts of our own making. Imagine the books, the paintings, the poems, the clever machines, the compassionate acts, the transcendent ideas, the perfect tools. The fierce defense of all that has been given. Gifts of mind, hands, heart, voice and vision all offered up on behalf of the earth. Whatever our gift, we are called to give it and to dance for the renewal of the world.

In return for the privilege of breath."

So powerful.

Our next read is The Book of Delights, by Ross Gay. If you'd like to join our book club, DM me for details.

Stay inspired!! ✨✨✨

04/21/2026

The spring season has me contemplating the Taoist theory of the Five Elements.

This ancient Chinese system offers a way of understanding the rhythms of nature - something we are part of as opposed to something separate from us. Rather than viewing ourselves and the natural world as disconnected, Five Element Theory recognizes a dynamic interplay of energies that move within us and all around us.

These energies are described as the five elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water - each associated with particular seasons, organs, emotions, and qualities of experience. Together, they form a continuous cycle of growth, transformation, integration, release, and rest.

In this cycle, spring is associated with the Wood element - the energy of growth, movement, and vision. It’s an impulse that stirs beneath the surface, asking us to stretch, reach, and begin again. Its color is green, reflected in the fresh emergence of plant life all around us.

Spring is also the season of the liver and its partner, the gallbladder - organs of digestion and filtration that help us process not only what we take in physically, but also emotions like frustration, resentment, and stagnation. Healthy liver chi supports our capacity to make plans and put them into action, to practice discernment, remain flexible (both in body and mind), and adapt to change with greater ease.

This energy can feel inspiring…and also a little unsettling. The same force that fuels new growth can bring restlessness, a sense that something needs to change, even if we’re not quite sure what or how. This makes spring an ideal time for gentle “spring cleaning,” both in the home and within the body, and for reflecting on what shifts we might be ready to make.

Eating foods of the season - young greens, asparagus, sprouts, mung beans, radishes - and incorporating herbs such as basil, rosemary, dill, fennel, dandelion root, and lemon balm can be especially supportive for the liver. Yin yoga practices that nourish the liver and gallbladder meridians are also deeply beneficial during this time of year. When liver chi is balanced and supported, we minimize feelings of overwhelm, uncertainty shifts to clarity, and we’re able to move forward with a sense of strong direction and personal agency.

Whatever practices you choose to support your internal spring cleaning, I hope they bring you a sense of renewal and possibility. No matter how old we get, spring, always a youthful season, encourages us to discover the "new" in each and every day.

Stay curious and keep growing! 🌻

04/16/2026

Coming up at on Saturday, April 18 at 1pm

Spring Qi Rising:
Yin Yoga and the Wood Element

This 90-minute practice will focus on the spring elements of the liver/gallbladder meridians, featuring creative movement, expansive vision, and healthy perspective, as well as fostering our capacity to put plans into action, evaluate where we need to change and adapt, and diminish inner conflict. Mindful modifications will be offered so the practice is accessible to students of all levels of interest and ability. The session will end with a brief meditation and deep relaxation.

Investment: $30.

Register: https://www.heartandlightyoga.com/workshops/qirisingyinyoga

03/13/2026

Michelle's Musings #3

As many of you know, I've been contemplating the eight limbs of yoga and how they manifest in our yoga practice on the mat. Today, I'm sharing thoughts about the second limb, the Niyamas, which are known as the social observances. If we think about the Yamas as the things we "don't do," then the Niyamas are the things we "do" - maintain order, be content, be disciplined, become more self aware, and surrender our resistance to life. They apply to our yoga practice on many levels, both on and off the mat. However, my recent contemplations have been focused on how they manifest for us in the physical practice.

In detail, they are as follows:

*Saucha - purity, order, cleanliness

*Santosha - contentment

*Tapas - austerity, inner fire

*Svadyaya - self study

*Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender

Saucha means purity. It also refers to cleanliness and order. There are many ways saucha manifests for us - we keep our bodies clean by eating well, staying hydrated, and practicing good hygiene. We maintain order in our homes and at work. On the mat, we practice saucha by setting up our yoga space mindfully and orderly, and by witnessing the purification that occurs throughout the practice from stretching and strengthening the body, and the deep breathing that guides and supports the poses.

Santosha is contentment. Ideally, we are striving to be content as often as possible, regardless of external forces that may be challenging us. On the mat, each pose (asana) is an opportunity to practice being content. Often, especially when we encounter a challenging pose, we struggle to accept where we are in the pose, wanting it to be different in some way, to be "better" at it, or for the teacher to cue us out. Santosha asks us to stop trying to "do" the pose and instead try to "be" in the pose. It is not complacency, but mindful presence.

Tapas (not the tiny appetizers) in yoga is austerity, discipline. Tapas is our internal fire and it is the energy we use when we experience challenging postures in our yoga practice. We use our energy efficiently, maintaining the breath in an even and balanced way, mind quiet and focused. Discipline manifests on the mat first as simply showing up, then intentionally exploring each pose. Tapas is the heat we generate in the practice when we stay with something that is difficult but meaningful, and that fire is another form of purification.

Svadyaya is a practice of self study that helps us foster self awareness. Through observing our habits and patterns in the yoga practice, we begin to understand ourselves on a deeper level. This understanding leads us to accept ourselves as we are, becoming aware of how we can let go of limiting habitual behaviors and become curious about who we can become. In the yoga practice, we discover various sensations in the body, thought patterns in the mind, and how we connect with the world around us in a deep and meaningful way.

Ishvara Pranidhana is surrender. This is a practice of releasing our need for control; we do the work, then let go of the outcome. On the mat, we actively arrange the body in a given shape, then soften the pose, letting go of the urge to keep continually adjusting it. It's important to note that surrender is not giving up, it is an act of trust - trust in ourselves, trust in the way that life is unfolding, and trust in the process of self-discovery. In this space where effort and surrender meet, grace comes in.

I encourage you to dive deeper into the Niyamas and reflect upon how they manifest in other ways off the mat. For further reading, I highly recommend Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras by Yogi Amrit Desai or The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda.

Stay curious and keep growing! 🌻

03/10/2026

Hi Sweet Friends ~

For some time now, I've been getting requests to start another book club and I'm excited to introduce an online book club devoted to thoughtful, conversation-provoking reads rooted in spirituality, Eastern philosophy, and reflective inquiry. I'm happy to introduce:

✨Golden Hour Reads: a gathering of the Empty Cup Collective✨

Golden hour is that quiet moment when the light softens and the day begins to exhale. That’s the spirit behind this gathering — a space to slow down, read intentionally, and explore ideas together in meaningful conversation. Inspired by the practice of beginner’s mind, we come not as experts, but as curious readers willing to listen, reflect, and learn from one another.

Our first book will be: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, by Thich Nhat Hanh. I started my previous book club with one of his books so it seems especially fitting that we begin this one with one of his works as well. In this final collection of teachings, the beloved Zen master reminds us that mindfulness is not only a personal practice but a path toward collective healing — inviting us to cultivate awareness, compassion, and deep connection with the world around us.

If you’re drawn to thoughtful books, contemplative conversation, and the wisdom found in slowing down, I’d love for you to join us. There is no cost to join, and it's up to you how you procure your book - local book store, library, online, etc. Details for how to join are as follows:

I use the Bookclubs platform to organize our club: https://bookclubs.com/ (there is also an app you can download to access easily from your phone.) Simply click the link below to get started. It is free to join, you just need to add your name, email, and create a password. It's all pretty self explanatory but please contact me if you need help getting signed up.

*Meetings are online via Google Meet
*First Monday of the month
*4pm Central Time.

First meeting: Monday, April 6
JOIN HERE: https://bookclubs.com/golden-hour-reads-a-gathering-of-the-empty-cup-col/join/

I look forward to our first discussion!

02/27/2026

Coming up at on Friday, March 6, 6pm

Beauty & the Breath ~
The Art and Anatomy of Pranayama
An Exploration of Breath and Breathing

Breath is both beautifully simple and profoundly powerful. In this 90-minute workshop, students will explore the anatomy of breathing, how the diaphragm and rib cage truly function, and why most people are only accessing a fraction of respiratory capacity.

Through clear explanation and guided practice, students will learn how conscious breathing can:

*Improve nervous system regulation
*Support posture and spinal health
*Increase energy and mental clarity
*Reduce anxiety and muscular tension
*Deepen meditation and embodied awareness

Michelle will guide students through accessible pranayama techniques that are appropriate for all levels of experience – whether one is new to breathwork or a seasoned practitioner seeking refinement.

The workshop concludes with guided meditation and extended savasana, allowing the practices to fully integrate into body and mind.

Come curious. Leave breathing deeper.

Suitable for all levels of interest and ability.

Investment $30. Register: https://www.heartandlightyoga.com/workshops/beautyandthebreath

Michelle Roy Yoga

06/08/2026

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

05/07/2026

05/05/2026

04/21/2026

04/16/2026

03/13/2026

03/10/2026

02/27/2026

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