This Magic Moment

by Chrissy Cortez-Mathis

Recently the song, “This Magic Moment…” by the Drifters popped into my mind. While they were talking about that moment of true love, I was thinking about the magic moment when awareness arrives.

It’s when delight moves through the body—my mouth breaks into a smile, laughter bubbles up, sometimes I even clap without thinking about it. Then my mind catches up and recognizes what’s happening: something wonderful is unfolding right now.

In mindfulness practice, these moments matter. Each time we notice what we’re experiencing—joy, curiosity, awe—we strengthen the habit of awareness. In yoga philosophy, this quality of remembering to be present is called smṛti. It’s the moment when the mind wakes up and says, Oh… this is happening.

Neuroscience echoes this wisdom. Each time we pause to notice delight, awe, or even shared sorrow, we strengthen neural pathways that help us live with greater presence and compassion. The more often we recognize these moments, the stronger that groove of awareness becomes. It gently pulls us out of the mind’s default rut of rumination that, for most of us, is not helpful.

Part of this practice is taking time to have magical moments.

I’m a traveler, and many of my most memorable moments of wonder have happened while exploring new places. But you don’t have to travel the world to practice noticing life. Sometimes all it takes is standing by a window and looking outside.

While writing this, I glanced up and saw a boy walking down the sidewalk in front of my house. Suddenly, he began jumping from square to square like a frog. So fun!

Of course, awareness doesn’t only show us delight. Sometimes it brings us face-to-face with someone else’s suffering. When we allow ourselves to stay present—even briefly—compassion naturally arises, reminding us of our shared humanity.

As the world changes this spring, I hope you encounter many magical moments of awareness. Every magic moment we notice helps train our mind to see more of them.

Each one strengthens the groove of being fully alive.

Namaste,

Chrissy

This month is packed with workshops and special events, and each one is an opportunity to learn, grow, and reconnect with your practice in a new way.

If your email gets cut off, be sure to click “View entire message” so you don’t miss anything.

Things slow down a bit in May and June, so if you’ve been thinking about joining a workshop, now is the time!

Spring Challenge
April 1 - 30

Here’s how it works:
Write your name on the Challenge Board and commit to showing up for yourself. That’s it!

Virtual only students: Email us, and we’ll send you a virtual tracker.

The goal is 16 classes in 30 days, about 4 per week. Practice in-studio or join us LIVE on Zoom. Workshops count too.

Our Spring Challenge is about staying consistent and proving to yourself that you can show up.

WholeGlow: Face Yoga Workshop
with Debbie Simon

Saturday, April 11

Experience a rejuvenating blend of natural skincare, relaxing yogic breath techniques, gentle somatic movements, and mindful relaxation with this WholeGlow Face Yoga Workshop. This session, which emphasizes self-acceptance, combines targeted facial exercises with conscious breathing to revitalize your appearance and calm your nervous system from the inside out.

Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 1:00 to 2:30pm
Investment: $60; Mat Members save 15%

No refunds. Register in advance to reserve your spot.

Intro to Meditation: Finding What Works for You
with Lisa Coyle

Sunday, April 12, 19, 26 and May 3

“I can’t meditate.” “My mind is too busy!” “I can’t sit still long enough!” “Meditation is boring.”

If you have felt like this before but keep hearing about the many benefits of meditation and wish you could learn, then this series is designed just for you.

Meditation has been shown to:

• reduce anxiety
• improve focus and learning
• improve sleep
• lessen inflammation
• improve emotional resilience

No prior meditation or yoga experience is needed.

Date: Sunday April 12, 19, 26 and May 3
Time: 1:00 to 3:00pm
Investment: $150; Mat Members save 15%

No refunds. Register in advance to reserve your spot.

Mat Strong
Pilot Class

April 13 - June 3

Mat Strong

A functional movement class using light weights and resistance bands to build stability, mobility, and strength for everyday life.

We’re launching a Mat Strong Pilot Class beginning on Monday, April 13 through Wednesday, June 3. If we have enough interest, we'll continue the classes on a weekly basis.

Founding Rates (available through June 3):

VIP Membership Add-On (for current unlimited members only)
$40/month during pilot (only $5/class if coming to all 8)

$50/month after pilot

Strength Class Only Membership (for mini members or package holders)

$49/month during pilot (only $6.13/class if coming to all 8)

$59/month after pilot

Both options are month-to-month auto-debit (email to cancel or it continues), and it will be a separate charge from your regular monthly auto-debit or paid in full membership.

Other pricing options:

Drop-In
$15 during pilot

$20 after pilot

4-Class Mat Strong Package
$59 (expires in 30 days)

Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 4:00 to 4:45pm
In-studio & Virtual

Recordings will be a available to Mat Strong Monthly Auto-Debit clients.

Therapeutic Yoga + Guided Breath/Meditation + Sound Bath
with Lauren Margolies

Saturday, April 18

Spring arrives with strong Aries energy, traditionally associated with new beginnings and forward movement. Action does not have to be forceful to be meaningful.

This 2 hour seasonal New Moon workshop is designed to help you reconnect with your inner motivation in a grounded, sustainable way. Rather than pushing or striving, we will focus on steady activation and embodied clarity.

Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 1:00 to 3:00pm
Investment: $55; Mat Members save 15%

No refunds. Register in advance to reserve your spot.

300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
with Samantha, Melanie & Alex

Q&A | Sunday, April 19 at 4:45pm

You can uplevel your yoga teaching credentials through so many trainings out there. Why take the Mat 300? We offer the expert guest teachers you need to find your niche in the yoga world and to hone your individual voice as a teacher as well as three lead teachers - Samantha, Melanie, and Alex - who will walk with you along the way, providing the constant support you need to incorporate all your learning moving forward in your yoga career.

This training will take place one weekend per month over the course of a year from August 2026 to September 2027. Some weekends will be taught by lead teachers and others by local and renowned teachers. 

Sign up for our first Q&A session to learn more about the training and get all of your questions answered. 

Training Weekends: August 16, 2026 - September 19, 2027

Strength + Balance: Building a Strong Foundation
with Iris, Amy, Kathleen & Kim

Saturday, April 25

Strong foundations change everything.

In this edition of Strength + Balance, we’ll focus on the often-overlooked building blocks of movement: feet, ankles, hands, and the relationship between the ground and lift. The practice is rooted in familiar, commonly taught poses and simple shapes, approached with intention and support so everyone has a clear place to begin. Through thoughtful drills, supported variations, and creative transitions, you’ll learn how strength is generated from the ground up.

We’ll explore how pressing into the hands and feet creates lightness, stability, and control, and how clear lines of energy move through the body from the ground up. This awareness translates into smoother transitions, steadier balances, and more confidence in more challenging poses. Familiar shapes will be approached in new ways, with props and options that support curiosity, not pressure.

As the practice unfolds, those foundational skills will lead us toward playful lift-off moments and intelligent arm balance work, including explorations of crow and flying ninja, where timing, strength, and awareness matter far more than momentum.

This class is designed to be accessible and challenging at the same time. You’ll be supported with props, time, and clear progressions, and invited to explore what’s possible when your foundation truly works for you.

All levels are welcome. Come build strength where it matters most.

Date: Saturday, April 25

Time: 1:00 to 2:30pm

Investment: Members $20, Non-members $30

No refunds. Register in advance to reserve your spot.