Baxter Bell Yoga

Summer 2025 Newsletter

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In this Issue:
• Summer Check In
• New Blog Post: Better Balance, Fewer Falls in 2025
• Summer Reading
• Better Balance, Longer Life - New Class Series through Mountain Yoga
• Fall Semester of Yoga for Healthy Aging Online - Starts September 17th
• Late Summer Weekend Yoga and Creativity Getaway on the Sonoma Coast
• Yoga in Yelapa, Mexico, Jan 2025 - only 6 spots left!
• Return to Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas, April 2026

• Serenity and Adventure in Western Sicily, Sept-Oct 2026

• Special gift for you

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By the time August rolls around, a lot of folks start feeling like Summer is over (even though there is still a month plus of Summer on the calendar!). This year, Summer has felt more like Summer for me than in recent years- a great week of yoga and community at the Feathered Pipe Ranch (who celebrated their 50-year anniversary), 2 adult music camps, playing in some USTA tennis matches and enjoying walks in the neighborhood on lovely summer days.

 

And it has felt particularly sweet after about 6 months of health issues that finally settled in early July. That has been an important reminder that despite living a “yogic lifestyle” with regular yoga practice, daily meditation, and healthy diet (mostly!), I live in a human body and unwanted stuff is still going to arise. I, and we, will all have to face illness, eventual decline and, yes, death. And, I can, (and you can, too) also commit to doing everything possible to improve and refine my practices, diet, and stress management to optimize my health for as long as possible. This truth is part of the underpinning ideas of Yoga for Healthy Aging, so I am obviously intimately familiar with these concepts and feel blessed to be able to find motivation and resources to re-tool my personal approach.

Deep sigh…

So, I’m feeling much better, have the information I need to address my health proactively, and am super excited to finish off the Summer with a flourish and meet the Fall with enthusiasm. I sincerely hope your Summer has been rich in connection and experiences and hope we can share some yoga in the coming months!

Namaste,

Baxter

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I was recently at a music retreat with about 120 other adults between the ages of 15-85. At meal times, the conversation often drifted towards discussion of health concerns, especially with the campers over the age of 50. From cancer treatments to back pain flares, there seemed an endless flow of issues people or their family members were contending with.

 

Perhaps the most common topic that came up was the observation of diminishing ability to balance well with advancing age, and the increasing trips and falls that accompanied this change. Not surprisingly, there was also the acknowledgement of fear of falling once a trip or fall occurred…

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A good friend recommended a fascinating memoir that has been out for over a decade, H is for Hawk, by Helen Macdonald.

 

I’m ¾ of the way through it, and enjoying every page!

 

What have you been enjoying this Summer?

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Check out my new Yoga for Healthy Living series: Better Balance, Longer Life. Hosted by Mountain Yoga of Oakland, this series will feature 4 monthly sessions on improving your balance. Starts September 13th. In person and online. Recordings provided.

 

Sign up now for all four classes and get 15% off!

 

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Even if you have never participated in this quarterly program before, you are invited to join me and Melina Meza for a monthly lecture on a hot topic on healthy aging, along with 2 monthly yoga classes with me and Melina. From a new look at breathwork for healthy aging to an actual Death Café, you will want to join us this Fall. All sessions are recorded and available it you can’t make them live. 

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Ratna Ling Meditation Center

Sonoma Coast, CA

September 5-7, 2025 (yep, still Summer)

Join Melina and me for an intimate yoga and creativity weekend in a spectacular setting just 2.5 hours north of San Francisco.

 

This is a special place and will be a special weekend.

 

 

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January 24-31, 2026

My annual retreat in the charming pueblo of Yelapa, Mexico is on once again for late January, and I only have 6 double room spots available! This retreat always sells out, so don’t wait another minute if you want to join me in 2026.

 

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April 24-26, 2026

Join me for this sweet retreat in a lovely setting and plan to stay on for a few extra days!

 

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September 27-October 3rd, 2026

Quite a few folks missed out on our upcoming Dolomites Yoga and Hiking trip this fall by not signing up early (we sold out fast). Don’t make that mistake for our 2026 adventure in Sicily. It is going to be a wonderful trip!

 

So check out all the details and get your deposit in early to secure your spot!

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Bravo! You get this link for free access to one of my Yoga for Back Heath & Conditioning classes for the next month!

 

If you are not sure the practice is right for you, watch it through once before trying it.

 

 

I offer these special LIVE STREAMING sessions twice a week on Zoom.
You can only sign up for them here! It is pretty simple to do:
More info and registration HERE

Also you can join my studio classes, live streaming or hybrid:

 

MOUNTAIN YOGA
Mondays & Wednesdays 11:30am-12:45pm PDT - Hybrid (in person & online)
Fridays 9:00-10:15am PDT - Zoom only
Visit the Mountain Yoga website for info and registration.
New Student Special: 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $49!

Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00am-12:00pm PDT - Yoga for Healthy Aging - Zoom only
Visit the Nest Yoga website for info and registration.
For folks who have never taken classes at Nest Yoga before, use coupon code BAXTER2020 when purchasing your first set of classes and receive a 10% discount.