CURRENTS #13

Welcome.

I’ve been reflecting on how repetition shows up in my life and in Club Change. As Ritual and Habit. It can be such a powerful force—both grounding and transformative, both challenging and such a blessing.

Repetition becomes Stillness. In our practices it is quite powerful and offers moments of mindfulness. When we chant our simple phrases, breathing deeply and repeating them at least eight times (and sometimes 58 or even 108 times!) something magical happens. The mind settles. The body softens. Space opens, clearing away clutter and making room for quiet, mindLESS moments of stillness.

Repetition becomes Belief and Intentional choices become habits.  As we repeat our mantra often it impacts our choices for action and strengthens our belief in our intended self!

Repetition strengthens our bodies. I’m especially aware right now of areas where I’ve lost strength due to knee issues—and how much progress has come from repeating specific, simple exercises.  Our shared asanas, repeated in our Zoom classes, have made a noticeable difference in balance and mobility for many of us.

Repetition also keeps us stuck. Those automatic habitual subconscious things that just are.  I’ve noticed the impact of old repetitive patterns in my own body—how posture or knee issues ripple into my glutes, ankles, neck, and hips. And yes, the repeated habit of ice cream has left its mark on my midlife belly. On a cognitive level, repeated thoughts and reactions can carve deep ruts—especially when I rush through habitual patterns in my thinking, speech, or behavior.  I’ve also repeated the “you are the suffering of  the habits of your own thoughts” (thank you, teacher Sylvia Boorstein). I take responsibility for these thoughts, and through awareness I can choose to carve new responses rather than simply react. Pema Chodron has taught me that the repeated choice of something new can help shift those automatic responses. Her “three difficulties include: 1. See what you do  2. Do something different. 3. REPEAT.

Here’s the gift: we get to choose what we repeat!

I can return to the repetition of my mantra, my value, my shared practices. I can choose to repeatedly practice small, simple actions that align me with my intentions and begin to shift those old patterns.

Repetition creates new Patterns.  The awareness has also shown me the importance of integrating breath, movement, mindfulness, and intention. Together, they create a powerful synergy—and it’s something I see working again and again through our Club Change practices. Even the impermanence of life is reflected as a repeated cycle of beginnings, middles, and endings. Like the in-breath and out-breath, or the silence between words, there is both challenge and joy.

Repetition is an effective Marketing tool.  In my past Publishing career we championed “keep saying the same thing until you hear it back from your customers”.  Usually that meant we were ready to vomit the phrase or graphic or color!  But it works, when you repeat.  We are ALL human!  With that in mind I repeat this ask: Maybe your NEW cycle begins with returning to one of our practices?  A chant class on a Monday morning or in June for the Solstice, or yoga Monday afternoons. Both free if you choose and widely accessible for all levels.

Join our live Zoom practices—a simple, supportive way to stay connected and consistent:

• Chant / Sit Monday mornings– 40–50 minutes to ground your week. 7 am PT register here
• Yoga + Movement (Mon & some Wed) – build strength, balance, and ease Mondays 3:30 pm PT register here 
• Practice Together in New Ways? I’m also offering new ways to gather and practice:
• mall, private Intention Clubs (small groups of 3-5 friends or acquaintances: imagine a book club for intention practices, with weekly check-ins and support. Meet for minimum three, max eight, weeks on zoom or in person) 
• Two to Four hour Intention Integration Workshops: blending movement, sound, meditation, and intention setting in whatever percentage you desire. 
• In-home Intention Integration Workshops 

Contact Jill for details

I have space for two more small groups this quarter—just reply if you’re curious. The next workshop will happen sometime in July, accommodating a “rest of year” focus.  LMK if you have a preferred date.

Here’s what else is coming up:

May 

-SF Bay Area -Set Your Intention Luncheon – May 2nd from noon – 1 pm at the Metropolitan Club in downtown SF. Join us for a $30 lunch, get acquainted with this club built by and for women register here

-Rancho La Puerta May 14 – June 12. Sound, Meditation, Chant/Sit, Yoga, and swim clinics! Use my name and get a discount.

June 

Summer Solstice Chant/Sit – June 21 (Zoom) 5:30 pm PT register here 

July–August 

Door County, WI + Zoom (yoga, sound, chant and intention setting at The Yoga Womb in Sturgeon Bay WI)

Where Is Repetition Showing Up for You?

I’d love to hear about your own experience with repetition—where it’s been a source of growth, and where it may feel like a challenge.  

Let’s keep the conversation going. Send me an email, or share your thoughts on one of my social media channels! (Links below)

With loving, kind intentions, 

Jill

Founder, Club Change

P.S. This member repeated her mantra and it changed her life! Check this 1 min video out! https://youtube.com/shorts/o6nyx6nlqZ8?feature=share 

P.P.S. A short survey is coming soon to gather insights on these practices (with prizes!)—Time to gather some hard data!  - please respond, it is only one, or four questions depending on your first answer.