Honoring the Spring Solstice
As we move beyond the Spring Solstice, Mother Nature offers us glimpses of the warmth and sunshine that lie ahead. Spring is a season of rebirth—a time to shake off the stagnation of winter and welcome new beginnings, growth, and meaningful change.
This is a season for setting mindful intentions for the life unfolding before you. What do you hope to pour your creativity or talents into? I invite you to sit with that intention—not focusing solely on how you will accomplish it, but on how you can pour your light, love, and positivity into it. Think of this intention as a seed. Allow your energy to nourish it so it can grow, expand, and truly thrive.
If I’ve had the honor of seeing you in Sunday Restorative over the past couple of weeks, you’ve heard this message already. Still, it feels important to repeat: it’s never too late to begin a new adventure. And this time of year holds an extra oomph—a natural momentum—to help propel you forward.
With Love and Light,
-Natalie and All of us at Toula Yoga
Teacher Feature: Maria Zeutenhorst
Yoga definitely found me. It came during seasons of life when I was seeking more balance and grounding. It took a few tries for the practice to fully take root, but becoming a mom was the moment I truly needed yoga as a steady, grounding presence. What began as a physical practice quickly revealed itself to be something much deeper—an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with myself.
After several years of practicing consistently, I realized how transformative yoga had become in my daily life—not just on the mat, but in how I responded to stress, relationships, and change. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to share that experience with others and create space for people to feel supported, capable, and present. This quote by Maya Angelou encompasses what my teachers gifted me and I wanted to pass it on, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.
What keeps me coming back is the constant reminder that the practice meets me exactly where I am. Sometimes I am grounded and open-minded, some days not so much. If we have practiced together then you have seen this in real time. Physically, I sometimes crave strength‑building with some sweat, other days it’s soft and slow with reminders of steady breath, and child’s pose. However, it always offers clarity. Yoga helps me stay connected to myself, and those around me, especially when life feels busy or overwhelming.
My classes emphasize mindful movement, breath awareness, and accessibility. You can expect a balance of strength and ease, with options offered so everyone can practice in a way that feels supportive. I aim to remind my students that they hold the power within themselves, no outside influences needed. What you dream you can achieve with mindful movements on and off the mat. I attempt to provide a space for easy reminders of this, with
a pop of power and effort to remind us that we can do hard things too.
Yoga helps me be mindful in everyday moments. Off the mat, it looks like pausing to notice my breath, paying attention, and responding versus reacting. I can slow down, pump the brakes and enjoy the ride of life. I think my mindfulness practice and awareness is the hidden gem of living life to the fullest and being present in both small and big moments.
When I’m not on the mat, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors, learning and simply slowing down with family and friends. Yoga is about awareness. The most important part is simply showing up to remind yourself that you have had the power all along.
When to Practice with Maria
Tuesdays 10am & 12pm
Keep an eye on the schedule for additional times!
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
I’ve been intentional about sharing mostly healthy recipes in this newsletter, but every now and then, you just need to enjoy a classic, feel‑good comfort food—the kind that takes you straight back to your roots. For me, that dish is biscuits and sausage gravy.
To honor my mom and my Kentucky roots, I’m sharing this easy‑peasy comfort food recipe with you. It’s cozy, satisfying, and perfect for breakfast—or our personal favorite, breakfast for dinner. I hope it brings you the same sense of warmth, nostalgia, and comfort it brings me.
Sausage Gravy Ingredients:
1 lb ground sausage
3 TBS butter
1/4 flour of choice
2 cups whole milk
salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Notes:
- Adding a tsp of bacon grease is a great flavor enhancer!
- If you have a pepper grinder, I recommend using this. The large flake pepper makes the recipe.
- Cappello’s almond flour biscuits are the best gluten free biscuits that I have found! You can make your own of course, but life is busy!
- If your gravy becomes too thick, you can add more milk to loosen it up.
Directions:
- Cook sausage in skillet, crumpling as it cooks. Drain onto a paper towel lined plate while making the gravy.
- Wipe any excess grease from the skillet.
- Melt butter over medium/low heat.
- Sprinkle in flour and cook, gently whisking for 2 minutes.
- Slowly drizzle in milk while whisking continuously.
- Bring to a slight boil, while whisking.
- Once the gravy thickens, add back in sausage and salt and pepper to taste.
Finding Time for Sunny Savasana
I love it when I ask someone if they’re a student and they reply, “a student of life.” Aren’t we all? Or at least, shouldn’t we be? I enjoy sitting back and observing my environment, noticing what lessons are quietly waiting to be learned.
Watching my furry companions, in particular, teaches me so much. Their ease, presence, and intuition are constant reminders to slow down and simply be.
When I was researching ways to honor the Spring Solstice within a yoga practice, one suggestion stood out: to practice your savasana in the sun. Take your yoga mat to your backyard or on a hike. As soon as I read that, I couldn’t help but laugh—because the cats have clearly had this figured out all along.
Upcoming Workshops, Retreats and Specialty Classes
Toula Yoga presents Balance & Bliss Retreat
With Tammy & Andrea
Prairiewoods, Hiawatha, Iowa
April 24-26 2026
Details & sign up on website soon
Belize Bliss adventure retreat with Andrea
February 6-13, 2027
Mix of Mountain Resort
and private Beach on the
Caribbean Sea
Details & sign up on website soon
