Dear Friends,
Mark your calendars!
Hope to see you this Tuesday and Thursday for two special birthday classes and a community potluck gathering!
Tuesday, February 13th 9:30am-10:45am @UUMarin
75 Minute Stop Drop and Dance Class (No Core Work)
Happy Birthdays Debby Strenkofsky, Eliza Desch and Gina Mazza!
THEME: Wear Valentine's theme (hearts, red, pink)
Tuesday, February 13th 10:45am-11:30am @UUMarin
Post-Class Finger Food Potluck Valentine's Celebration!
Everyone is welcome to join us "up on the hill" right outside the church after class Tuesday for a casual gathering! Get to know others in the community just a little bit better and bring something simple to share!
Wednesday, February 14th: HIIT & YOGA CANCELLED
Unfortunately, my 3rd grade daughter's teacher just sent an email inviting parents and families to join a Valentine's Day presentation where each student will share their biography project. My daughter's biography will be on Anne Frank! Sorry for the inconvenience!
Thursday, February 15th 9:30am-10:45am @UUMarin
75 Minute Strong Women Playlist Stop Drop and Dance Class (No Core Work)
Happy Birthdays Allison Hagey and Kim Stuart!
THEME: Wear All-Black or Black "Shine Your Light" tank!
Live classes will be cancelled Saturday, February 17th through Wednesday, February 28th for an extended family ski trip!
When there are no live classes, members have unlimited access to all the previously-live recorded classes on-demand, or non-members can purchase classes a-la-carte. Thank you for your understanding!
Classes will resume on Thursday, February 29th for Stop Drop and Dance at 9:30am!
February is Black History Month!
We had to take a moment during our Stop Drop and Dance class last Tuesday morning to highlight Debby Strenkofsky's powerful quote on her shirt.
“Racism is a GROWN-UP disease, and we should stop using our KIDS to spread it.”
- Ruby Bridges
Isn’t that so true?? Kids are born with simple needs: to be cared for and loved. They don’t discriminate and they don’t hate. In both wonderful and destructive ways, they watch, learn and absorb everything around them like sponges. They hear how parents talk, what peers say, what media and TV portrays… and unfortunately racism does get passed down from generation to generation!
It starts with each one of us making a commitment to stop racism in our own circles and interactions. But it is so much more than an individual choice!
We all need to take the responsibility to do much, much more including, but not limited to,
- educating ourselves on systemic racism and the history of how/when/why racism developed and how/when/why it still absolutely exists,
- pinpointing conscious and unconscious biases we carry especially from influences by our families and friends,
- being an ally to stand up, speak out, and put ourselves in others’ shoes,
- and most of all, staying humble, compassionate, and curious that we simply don’t know what it is like to be a different race, yet we will TRY.
Thank you Debby for helping to create conversations and bring awareness to Black History Month!
49er Faithful
OK, of course we have to take a moment to recognize the 49ers and their efforts yesterday during the Super Bowl. We were SO close and it was a thrilling game to watch, until the final 3 second upset that left ALL of us speechless and heartbroken.
(Crickets)
But, a game is a game, and you guys know by now that I always find upsides.
One of my favorite moments of the Super Bowl was actually BEFORE the game even started. It was watching the video collage of football players and their families sharing stories about how their journey led them to yesterday's game, and it was set to an emotional background of Frank Sinatra's, "My Way."
We are all who we are TODAY because of all those around us who lifted us up and stood by us through our happiest and hardest times. What a beautiful message.
If you missed it, click on the image below to watch the inspirational 4 minute video (watch till the very end)!
#Imnotcryingyourecrying
Xin Nian Kuai Le
(Happy New Year of the Dragon!)
This past Saturday was Lunar New Year, which is celebrated for 15 days. It is a time of wearing red and giving out red envelopes to wish others good luck, gathering with family and eating yummy food, and bringing in all wonderful things into the upcoming dragon year.
I'm so grateful I got to spend Saturday night with my family.
Wishing you and your loved ones happiness, health, wealth, wisdom, and joy!
Love,
Grace
