Success in New Year's Resolutions, Bhakti & Giving Back - PLUS A Short Video Practice - let's chant together!
- darcyvalverdeyoga
- Mar 10
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 12
January 19, 2025
Greetings, Explorers -
Wow - 2025 so far for me has felt incredibly anti-climactic. How did we even get here? Did the holidays happen?
It feels like a bit of a blur.
But perhaps that’s just me.
Alas, here we are! In another year. 2025!
In the States, we will soon be welcoming in a new (returning) President, while we watch one of the largest cities in our country set ablaze.
Welcome…?…2025?
January 20 is not only the day President Biden will hand the White House back to Donald Trump. It is also the day this year that we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.
These two things occurring on the same day feels like a bit of an oxymoron.
Although I did not vote for Donald Trump, I am feeling oddly hopeful.
While feeling hopeful, I also flew out of Los Angeles after a 9 hour layover at LAX on January 7, watching the city burn below. Some of my dear teachers have lost their homes; amongst so many who have lost their homes. Not to mention the animals…the land.
And still - I have hope.
We could spend our time swimming in our fears. Marinating in them. Letting fear drive us.
Or, we can lean into love. Lead with love. Swim in the love.
I choose love. A wise man once said:
However you’re feeling about the state of the world, and our country, I invite you to lean into hope and love. It doesn’t mean we ignore what’s happening. It doesn’t mean we ignore that we may be feeling a bit fearful or anxious - absolutely our feelings are valid, and they need to be felt! And - we can continue to trust, to lead with love, and to do the work on ourselves, and within our communities so that we too may help to create a world in which we want to see as our reality.
And this is where our practices can really support us!
Each time you step onto your mat, or do your daily sit, or dive deep into a somatic breathwork session - whatever your practice is….each time there is a shift. A release and an opening, making more space; space that can be filled with the energy and intention that YOU fill it with!
So I invite you to continue to come back to your practice. And that space that continues to slowly open inside each time you practice? I invite you to fill it with love.
And begin to notice what happens when you begin leading with more love vs fear.
Which is also a part of our practice. We do the practice, and then we just watch. We see what unfolds as it unfolds; from that compassionate, loving witness seat.
And perhaps there’s a sense of faith there with you, too. If faith in a God, a Guru, or a Deity doesn’t land right with you, that’s okay. Perhaps you can have faith in YOUR Higher Self. Trust that deep down You know, and You won’t let you lose your way 💫
And again the practice. The more we practice, the more we can feel that innate wisdom deep within. That guiding light. That connection back to our Truest Teacher❤️
And if you’ve made it this far, (1) thank you - and (2) let’s take a moment for a quick overview of what we’ll get into in today’s newsletter! As always, feel free to scroll to what most interests you, or read the letter in full:
Secure Your Spot at Deep Dive ‘25!
Finding Success in Your New Year’s Resolutions
Our Somatic Experiencing® Rates
Bhakti & Giving Back
Let’s Chant: A Short Video Practice with Me
With Gratitude,
-D’Arcy
DEEP DIVE '25
APRIL 30 - JUNE 13
REGISTER BEFORE MARCH TO GET THE EARLY BIRD RATE!
Deep Dive '25 is a 6-week series for deep Self exploration, inner healing, and connection with a small group of like-minded individuals ready to journey, explore, and get curious, together.
Throughout the 6-week duration of our Deep Dive, participants will receive:
Weekly Somatic Breathwork Ceremonies with the same small, intimate group (5 total), hosted at the beautiful, sacred container of Ananda Yoga Space in Garden City.
Breathwork Ceremonies will also offer time for participants to practice Active Listening, and to share what’s feeling most present for them.
Weekly 1:1 Somatic Experiencing Sessions with Heart Space Center Founder, D'Arcy Valverde (6 total). 1:1 sessions will be hosted either in-person at The Heart Space Center’s Home Studio Space, ~10 minutes north of downtown Boise, or virtually (participants choose).
Registration for this intimate Deep Dive is limited to a small group; roughly 5 individuals. The group size is intentional for the Deep Dive to be held in a very safe container so participants may dive as deeply as they’re ready to dive; space to be open, space to be vulnerable, space to share and space to receive.
Secure your spot before March for a $50 discount in your Deep Dive investment!
Learn more and register here.
Questions? Email D’Arcy!
I was never much into New Year’s Resolutions, but after 2020 my husband and I both felt inspired to sit down, after a year in which we slowed down - a LOT - to write down what we might want to accomplish in the coming year.
And dude - it worked!
Writing down what we wanted to do WORKED!
And we didn’t even really have an intention to hardcore focus on these things we wrote down, and we still found success. And it felt GREAT! It felt REALLY great! So, we’ve continued this as a tradition, since that 2021 list we jotted down at random. And here’s why I believe we’ve found success in this simple tradition.
Trusting & Giving It Your Best
In a way we’re linking back to the welcome in this newsletter. Didn’t read it in full? Feel free to go back and take a read😉
Truly one of the most effective practices I’ve found through my practices, is trusting. Doing my best and trusting that from there, when I truly give it my best, what needs to fall into place will. And when we incorporate regular practice of a discipline that feels in alignment with our being, it can help us get clear on what we want…and when we do little things (not obsessing over them, but taking action) to reach our goals…small, attainable, little things….it all just seems to kind of fall into place.
So yes, action is needed - and adding a little trust in there and truly giving it your best is an important ingredient!
The Hubs
For me, doing this annual exercise with my husband - my best friend - helps as we both want each other to succeed in our goals. Because of this, when we know what the other is striving for within their resolutions, we’re there to cheer each other on. And when you’ve got a cheerleader cheering you on - that goes a LONG way!
Maybe your cheerleader is your partner, your bestie, a sibling, or a Coach. Your cheerleader can be that person you trust will be there to cheer you on - and one you’re excited to also cheer on. It can be so fun to have someone doing this with you!
Writing it Down
I absolutely believe in the power of writing things down. We’re energetically putting it out there with pen and paper. And when the hubs and I do this exercise, we’re telling each other what it is that we’re writing down. Not only writing it down, but speaking it out loud is so impactful - double energetic fruition in that magic sauce!
And hold onto that paper to come back to in the year!
Checking In
Historically my husband and I will periodically, randomly check in and reflect back on that piece of paper where we wrote our goals down. This can help to gauge and see where our progress is. Often I realize, with little effort, many of the goals are already accomplished - again, I wrote it down, I made some action, and then I trusted. Action is absolutely necessary - and trusting the process is an important ingredient in our recipe for success. Some of the things I accomplish I am absolutely shocked and surprised “Oh my gosh, I guess I did that already!”….again, it feels easy when we make some action and then just let go and trust. Things just seem to fall into place💫
Let It Be
Don’t be too hard on yourself. This year; our 4th year doing this exercise, we went through each list from the previous 3 years. And some of our goals had been recurring 3 years over(!). Some were things that didn’t feel relevant or important; items we felt could fall away. And others we had forgotten kept making the list we had made some progress into - and we celebrated that success - and realized we still have some work left. So we added them again this year to continue the progress. We now understand some of the goals weren’t realistic for one year, but over time, and with action and trust, we’re seeing them come to fruition - and it’s so fun to see it all come together!
What About You?
Have you found tricks to success with your New Year’s Resolutions? We’d love to hear! Feel free to share them through email or on our Faceboook or Instagram, so others can learn and benefit!
Wishing you much success in your resolutions, and in your day-to-day living in love!
Our Somatic Experiencing (SE™) rates have recently increased due to D’Arcy’s progress in the Somatic Experiencing International (SEI) curriculum.
As noted on our website, SE rates will increase slightly the closer D’Arcy gets to graduating from SEI, and upon graduation.
She expects to graduate from SEI this year, so snag the discounted rate while you can!
D’Arcy has vast experience with SE. She has been practicing SE with her own Practitioner since 2020, and has been offering 1:1 SE sessions to individuals and clients for over a year. SE has been one of the most transformational practices on her journey of healing, embodiment, and finding her way back Home. Learn more about her journey, about SE, and book your consultation today.
The picture in this header is a picture I took of the bulletin board at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Taos, NM on my first visit there. It states:
When BHAKTI enters FOOD
FOOD becomes PRASAD
When BHAKTI enters HUNGER
HUNGER becomes a FAST
When BHAKTI enters WATER
WATER becomes AMRIT
When BHAKTI enters MUSIC
MUSIC becomes KIRTAN
When BHAKTI enters a HOUSE
HOUSE becomes a TEMPLE
When BHAKTI enters ACTION
ACTION becomes SERVICE
When BHAKTI enters WORK
WORK becomes KARMA
When BHAKTI enters TRAVEL
TRAVEL becomes a PILGRIMAGE
When BHAKTI enters the HEART
HEART becomes LOVE
So, what is Bhakti?
Bhakti is the yoga of love and devotion. It’s not something you can really strive for, in my opinion…..it’s just something that grows in the heart. And from there, it can become an intentional practice. A way of living and of being in the world; through a devotional practice based around love.
I attended Bhakti Fest in 2023 and it was like a huge love fest, full of family I had not yet met. They hold Bhakti Fest around the world, and I attended the one in Joshua Tree, CA. Many folks I met asked where I came from. When I said Boise, they were surprised I traveled “so far”…most of the folks I met at the festival were Californians.
Many of the teachers at Bhakti Fest were CA-based teachers. Some of whom have recently lost their homes and all their possessions in the wildfires.
Yes, here we are, looping back to the beginning of this newsletter, and the startling reality that LA is still burning. As I write this, 11 days after the fires broke out, the Pacific Palisades fire is only (already?!?!…perception, right?) 49% contained.
And it’s in our practices, and in amazing community, like this Bhakti community, where I continue to find hope.
The Bhakti Fest organizers put out a call for action to help those impacted by the fires. They shared a spreadsheet for folks to access resources and opportunities to assist those affected. I’m sharing right here, with you, as well, if you’re called, and don’t know where to start. Even making a small contribution goes a long way. When we all chip in what we can; be it time, money, resources, it trickles out and touches many.
Two pillars within this CA-based Bhakti community, and teachers I have, and continue to learn so much from, with their 2 children, lost their home in the beginning days of the Pacific Palisades Fire. A GoFundMe page was started to help them as they navigate and rebuild. They’ve already surpassed their fundraising goal, and I’m sure every bit helps, so I’d like to share a few ways you can help them in case you’re called and able to offer support.
Donate to their GoFundMe page here
Become a member of their amazing online Bhakti Yoga Shala platform which includes a variety of yoga practices, meditation, kirtan, dharma talks, and more. I finally (after years of consideration) became a member late 2024 and I’ve been loving it! Only $27/month!
Join their Online Global Kirtan Training beginning THIS Tuesday, January 21! Learn more about the offering and how to register here (you may see me there!🥰).
When BHAKTI enters ACTION ACTION becomes SERVICE.
Whatever action you’re able to take; big or small, know that when you’re doing it in this way, from your heart, with no expectations for recognition or return, you’re doing SERVICE. However big or small that service is, start to notice how it might touch your heart. And When BHAKTI enters the HEART HEART becomes LOVE❤️
If you’re in Boise and want to enjoy some of the Bhav, join me on Thursdays at noon at Studio Lotus for Bhakti Flow. This particular practice that I lead is greatly inspired by these two dear CA-based teachers who recently lost their home.
Join me in this 5-minute video for a special chanting practice, offering healing and hope to all beings, everywhere.
The chant goes:
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
This means:
May all beings be happy and free, and may I contribute to the freedom and happiness of all beings, everywhere.
Welcome yourself to chant it anytime, anywhere. If you’re somewhere public and are feeling called to chant, but not comfortable chanting out loud in public, you may just chant it aloud, in your mind which can be equally as powerful.
Whenever and however you may choose to call in this chant, I hope it finds you happy and free✨
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