wellness
Sleep as Self-Care + Changing Seasons
Can you believe Daylight Savings Time ended a week ago already? I took advantage of that extra hour to do some fall cleaning and also get some good sleep. And the more I read about sleep, the more important I realize it is. Rest is our foundation.
The change of seasons is the perfect time to reflect on this. We can’t have the beauty of fall, spring and summer without the rest provided by winter. It makes sense that Halloween and the Day of the Dead are celebrated at this time of year. Nature itself is in that liminal space between life and death and we can’t help but feel that change too.
It’s still fall. But with the start of November and so little sunlight, it feels like we are in the winter season. And after my year of examining the seasons, I’m doing my best to shed resistance and fall into winter gracefully.
Peak fall has the ground carpeted with red, orange and so much gold. They shimmer in the sunlight. The trees and ground look magical and otherworldly. Nature is preparing us for winter with an extra burst of beauty. 
This time of year provides a cue for rest and turning inward. Many animals are hibernating or at least preparing for it. Since we humans are part of nature as well, we can think about how our lives might adjust with the cold weather.
It’s a time for the comfort of warm blankets, hot drinks and candle light. For me, these colder months are also about coziness. Danish culture calls it hygge, and I am all for it. I can’t fight the weather, so I’ll try and appreciate the best of what it brings.
This winter break is something we can cultivate within ourselves. Each day is like a mini-year, where our sleep is the winter. Resting for the renewal of spring and summer during the busiest parts of our day. The end of the day, before we sleep again, is autumn.
Recent research says that deep sleep may rid the brain of toxins that lead to Alzheimer’s. Sleep disruption and deprivation is bad for our health. Yet, it seems like getting enough sleep is a major problem for many if not most people. Sleep scientist Matthew Walker gives some insight.
“We have stigmatised sleep with the label of laziness. We want to seem busy, and one way we express that is by proclaiming how little sleep we’re getting. It’s a badge of honour. When I give lectures, people will wait behind until there is no one around and then tell me quietly: ‘I seem to be one of those people who need eight or nine hours’ sleep.’ It’s embarrassing to say it in public. They would rather wait 45 minutes for the confessional. They’re convinced that they’re abnormal, and why wouldn’t they be? We chastise people for sleeping what are, after all, only sufficient amounts. We think of them as slothful. No one would look at an infant baby asleep, and say ‘What a lazy baby!’ We know sleeping is non-negotiable for a baby. But that notion is quickly abandoned [as we grow up]. Humans are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent reason.” In case you’re wondering, the number of people who can survive on five hours of sleep or less without any impairment, expressed as a percent of the population and rounded to a whole number, is zero.
Those people, who tell us that they do fine with hardly any sleep. They are lying. To themselves. And to the rest of us. They are risking their health. If they are driving or doing something similar, they may be risking the lives of others as well.
We need sleep. We need rest. We need winter. One of the best ways to take care of ourselves is so basic. This self-care is literally to do nothing. So this season, it’s time to make a change.
Free Yoga Boston (October 2019 – May 2020)
*UPDATED: July 10, 2020*
The Summer 2020 List is up! Look here.
Yoga classes are still indoors, but spring is just around the corner. This list of free yoga classes in the Greater Boston area and beyond has been updated several times over the last few months and changes to the list continue. Please let me know if you have any corrections and/or tips!
The current list has classes that are year round and for the winter. Click links for details about current dates, etc. Even though classes are free, most require registration due to size constraints. Marathon Sports classes are usually offered on Sundays, but vary greatly by date and location.
Many branches of the Boston Public Library have free yoga classes on different days and most are listed below. Also look at the BPL website for details and changes that I may have not seen.
Make sure to check the Free Yoga Boston Group too. It’s a private group, but you can request to join. Members share information and there are additional classes and events listed there as well.
Many of the free classes that I find are on Eventbrite and Eventful, so check there too! There are classes on Meetup that I generally do not include in my listings.
Enjoy!
🌱☀️🌱☀️🌱☀️🌱
MONDAY
Community Yoga (February 24 – June 29)
(St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 15 Saint Paul Street, Brookline)
7am – 8am
Yoga For Adults (Ongoing through June 29)
(BPL Charlestown Branch, 179 Main Street, Charlestown)
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Winter Fitness Series Yoga (February 24 – April 27)
(BCYF Paris Street Community Center, 112 Paris Street, East Boston)
6pm – 7pm
Yoga at the Library (February 24, March 9, March 16, March, March 23, March 30)
(Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Avenue, Somerville)
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Beginner Yoga For Cyclists (January 13 – March 16)
(JRA Cycles, 229 Salem Street, Medford)
6:45pm – 7:45pm
TUESDAY
Yoga: Brighton (February 25 – April 28)
(Veronica B Smith Multi Services Senior Center, 20 Chestnut Hill Ave, Boston)
11am – 12pm
Yoga For Seniors/Gentle Chair Yoga/ (Ongoing through September 15)
(BPL West End Branch, 151 Cambridge St., Boston)
2pm – 2:45pm
Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center (Ongoing)
(Moakley Building, 830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
5pm – 6:15pm
Patagonia Community Class (Ongoing)
(346 Newbury Street, Boston)
7:15pm
WEDNESDAY
YogaHub Yoga & Meditation (Ongoing)
(1 Avenue de Lafayette, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Boston)
5:45pm – 6:45pm
Complimentary Yoga (Ongoing)
(The Yoga Room at SP, 12 Salem Street, Lynnfield)
6pm – 7pm
Yoga For All (Ongoing through March 25)
(BPL Central Library Copley Square, 700 Boylston Street, Boston)
6pm – 7pm
Afro Flow Yoga® (April 1, April 15, April 29, May 13, June 10, June 24)
(Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont Street, Boston)
6pm – 7pm
Spring into Yoga (March 18 – May 6)
(Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Avenue, Allston)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
THURSDAY
Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center (Ongoing)
(Moakley Building, 830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
5pm – 6:15pm
Gentle Yoga (Ongoing through March 19)
(BPL Mattapan Branch, 1350 Blue Hill Avenue)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
SATURDAY
lululemon x lifetime Monthly Yoga Series (February 22, March 21, April 25, May 23)
(lululemon, 55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill)
8:30am – 9:30am
1st Saturdays Yoga (Ongoing)
(Woburn Public Library, 45 Pleasant Street, Woburn)
9:30am
Saturday Seasonal Yoga (Ongoing)
(The Liberty Hotel, Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am
Yoga For Older Adults (Ongoing through June 27)
(BPL Parker Hill Branch, 1497 Tremont Street, Roxbury
10am – 11am
SUNDAY
Complimentary Sunday Yoga (February 23 – April 5)
(lululemon, 94 Derby Street Hingham)
9:30am – 10:30am
Yoga Sculpt Class (February 23 – March 22)
(The Presentation School Foundation Community Center, 640 Washington St, Boston)
1pm – 2pm
Yoga For Runners Community Class
(Marathon Sports, Norwell)
6:15pm – 7:15pm
Free Yoga Boston: Summer 2019
Here is the 7th Annual listing of free yoga classes for the summer! There are close to more than 40 classes, so there should be something for just about everyone.
Take a look at the Introduction to the 2017 list, for general information and suggestions for taking free yoga classes.
Click the links for details to confirm dates, to see if you need to register, for weather cancellations, etc.
Many branches of the Boston Public Library have free yoga classes on different days. Take a look at the website for details. Many classes, especially without dates, are ongoing.
As always, this list is a work in progress that will have changes and updates. Because I’m trying to get this post up sooner rather than later, it might change a bit more than usual.
Please let me know if you have any questions, corrections and/or tips! Enjoy!
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MONDAY
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28 (No class September 2)
(Yoga, Mother’s Rest at 4 Corners, Dorchester)
6:30pm
Hands to Heart Center/Yoga For The People
(BPL Charlestown Branch, 179 Main Street)
1:30pm – 2:30pm
FREE/By-Donation Yoga in the Park: July 8 – August 26
(Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell)
6pm – 7pm
Seaport Sweat: May 28 – September 28
(Vinyasa Yoga, Seaport Common, 85 Northern Avenue, Boston)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
TUESDAY
P.O. Fitness: June 25 – August 31
(Chill Flow Yoga, Post Office Square, Downtown Boston)
7:30am – 8:30am
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Chair Yoga, Symphony Park, Fenway)
10am
Seaport Sweat: May 28 – September 28
(Vinyasa Yoga, Seaport Common, 85 Northern Avenue, Boston)
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Yoga with Laura: July 2 – September 10
(The Anchor of Hull, 7 Hadassah Way, Hull)
6pm – 7pm
Hands to Heart Center/Yoga For The People
(Union Capital Boston, aka UCB Building, 1544 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury)
6pm – 7pm
Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
(Moakley Building, 830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, Medal of Honor Park, M Street, South Boston)
6pm
Patagonia Yoga Tuesdays: (Free class through October 31, 2019)
(346 Newbury Street, Boston)
7:30pm – 8:30pm
WEDNESDAY
P.O. Fitness: June 25 – August 31
(Yoga For Athletes, Post Office Square, Downtown Boston)
7:30am – 8:30am
Donation Based Outdoor Summer Yoga: July 10 – August 7
(Slocum’s River Reserve, 283 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth)
8:30am – 9:30am
Summer Yoga: (July 24, August 7, August 21)
(Fuller Room, 7 Temple Street, YWCA Cambridge)
12pm
Greenway Fitness: July 10th – August 28
(Lunchtime Vinyasa, Oliver + Atlantic Streets, Downtown Boston)
12:15pm – 1:15pm
P.O. Fitness: June 25 – August 31
(Stretch & Strengthen Yoga , Post Office Square, Downtown Boston)
5:30pm – 6:30pm
YogaHub Yoga & Meditation
(1 Avenue de Lafayette, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Boston)
5:45pm – 6:45pm
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, Brighton Common, Brighton)
6pm
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, Adams Park, Roslindale)
6:30pm
HarborFit: Old Ironsides Yoga: July 3 – August 28
(Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center, Boston)
6:30pm – 7:45pm
THURSDAY
Greenway Fitness: May 26 – September 23 (No class July 4th)
(Yoga-Lates, Hanover + Cross Streets, North End Park, Boston)
10:30am – 11:30am
Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
(Moakley Building, 830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
4:30pm – 6pm
P.O. Fitness: June 25 – August 31 (No class July 4)
(Vinyasa Yoga , Post Office Square, Downtown Boston)
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28 (No class July 4)
(Summer Yoga, Boston Common near Frog Pond Carousel)
6pm
Sunset Yoga: July 18 – September 5
(Fiedler Field – Charles River Esplanade, Boston)
6pm
Hands to Heart Center/Yoga For The People
(BPL Mattapan Branch, 1350 Blue Hill Avenue)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
FRIDAY
P.O. Fitness: June 25 – August 31 (No class July 5)
(Restorative Yoga , Post Office Square, Downtown Boston)
7:30am – 8:30am
SeaportSweat: May 28 – September 28
(Hip-Hop Yoga, Seaport Common, 85 Northern Avenue, Boston)
12pm – 1pm
SATURDAY
Borealis Community Yoga: Starting July 13
(Wright’s Pond, Medford)
8am – 9am
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, School Master Hill, Franklin Park, Dorchester)
9am – 10:15am
Yoga in The Park: May 4 – September 28
(Assembly Row, Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park, Somerville)
9am – 10am
Free Yoga Medford: June 1 – August 24 (No class July 6)
(Condon Shell Park, Medford)
9:30am – 10:30am
HarborFit: Island Yoga on Spectacle Island: July 6 – August 31
(Take 9am ferry from Long Wharf to Spectacle Island, Boston)
9:45am – 11am
Saturday Seasonal Yoga
(The Liberty Hotel, Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am
HarborFit: Castle Island Yoga: July 6 – August 31
(Near the information sign at Fort Independence, Castle Island, Boston)
10:15am -11:15am
Hands to Heart Center/Yoga For The People
(Level Ground, 527 Columbia Road, Uphams Corner, Dorchester)
11am – 12pm
Hands to Heart Center/Yoga For The People: July 13 and every other Saturday after.
(Family Yoga, BPL Grove Hall Branch, 41 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester)
1pm – 2pm
SUNDAY
Free Outdoor Yoga: July 14 – August 25
(Winthrop Square/Minot Rose Garden, Brookline)
8am – 9am
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, Winthrop Square, Charlestown)
9am
Free Yoga Arlington: June 2 – August 25
(June: Magnolia Park, July: McClennan Park, August: Spy Pond Park in Arlington)
9:30am – 10:30am
Yoga with lululemon: June 2 – September 29
(The Street, Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street, Newton)
9:30am – 10:30am
Yoga at the Pru
(lululemon, 776 Boylston Street, Space 6B, Boston)
10am – 10:50am
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series: June 3 – September 28
(Yoga, Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain)
2pm
Yoga For Runners Community Class
(Marathon Sports, Norwell)
6:15pm – 7:15pm
Taste Of The South End
Recently I was invited to attend Taste of the South End, which is an annual fundraiser to benefit the AIDS Action Committee.
Founded in 1983, the organization was initially a committee of the Fenway Community Health Center, created to address the growing AIDS epidemic. In 2013, AIDS Action became part of Fenway Health.
AIDS Action remains the largest AIDS service organization in New England and leads the state’s Getting To Zero Coalition, which seeks to reduce the number of HIV infections to zero. It also operates a needle exchange that serves as an entry point to healthcare services for active substance users.
According to a press release for the event, the average client of AIDS Action has an annual income of less than $10,000. So the organization’s services are vital to keeping many people healthy, who might otherwise go without help.
This year was the 24th year that Taste of the South End has brought together food and wine lovers from Greater Boston for an unlimited sampling of more than 40 of the South End’s finest restaurants.
My friend and I were lucky enough to partake in the food sampling and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Walking through the rows and rows of tables giving out samples was a lot to take in at once. We were both a bit overwhelmed by it all. So much good food and where should we start?
Without a plan, we dove in and started exercising our taste buds! Many of the samples were very generous portions. Especially the jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, and barbecued chicken from Haley House Bakery Cafe. That was basically a full meal!
By the time we were ready to leave, we were both quite full — and had some new ideas of places to try in the future. I want to go to FoMu and have some more ice cream.
One of my favorite food samples was from Barcelona Wine Bar. It was spring vegetables cooked with potato and I was so busy eating it that I didn’t take a picture. But it was scrumptious and warmed my soul.
Approximately $160,000.00 was raised at the event. And that warms my soul too.
+ + +
Disclosure: Thank you to Taste of the South End for the two complimentary tickets!
