Hello Friends!
When I sit down to write — whether it’s this newsletter, an article, a medium essay, or the memoir I’m working on, I’ll do just about anything to stall. Need a pot a green tea. Some dark chocolate. Wait - an apple is better. But wait, the chocolate might ignite my brain. Oh - but the cat is doing something really cute.
I ate the dark chocolate lemon cream cup. The apple is cut up on the plate next to me. Green tea brewed, honey added. Ready to sip.
This behavior is called Vata derangement in Ayurveda. Distraction after distraction. Vata dosha - the mind-body constitution comprised of air and space gets easily distracted. She starts several projects at once and has trouble completing them. Every shiny object calls her name. (omg kitty is so cute)
Our other doshas also have annoying tics and habits.
Pitta dosha (fire and water) needs everything to be perfect, and if it’s not, he blames others for getting in his way. Sometimes he blames himself, striving for perfection. Might give up before he puts a word on the page because he just can’t seem to get it right. Fuck it, this was a stupid assignment anyway.
(wait - I have to check my WhatsApp because my group chat from Tel Aviv is going off and, you know, missiles from Iran. Friends huddled in safe rooms. Oh, my friend Nita is sending photos of someone I don’t know and their new baby. See? This is fricking impossible! But I can’t turn it off because, Christ, they are in Tel Aviv and it’s nighttime and missiles are falling. Aww, cute baby)
Then there is Kapha dosha, which used to be my predominant dosha before menopause unleashed all this Vata in me. Earth and water make up this dosha, stable, steady, solid. Might take three hours to write a 500-word essay - first draft - but that’s ok. Slow and steady wins the race. Then she’ll have some ice cream. Or maybe some chips. Or maybe both.
Whew. Ayurveda and writing. This is my life! So much so that I created a class on how to use the qualities of your dosha to help you be creative and write. How to flow with it rather than struggle against it. There are ways to create balance and understand where your impulses come from and how to work with them rather than against them.
Through seasonal eating practices, dosha-specific meditation, gentle movement, and guided writing, imbalances can be lessened to allow more freedom of expression and acceptance of natural-born inclinations.
Kripalu is a world-renowned retreat center in the Berkshires. They host such luminaries as
, Dani Shapiro, Glennon Doyle, & . And they liked my ideas and said yes to a workshop! (wait - WhatsApp again - all clear in Tel Aviv)I did a happy dance, then got down to creating this weekend workshop by the minute. I am beyond thrilled to share it with you! Here are some notes form the website:
You will discover:
· How to turn sensations, images and feelings into words on the page, clearly reflecting your thoughts and intentions.
· The act of listening as an act of kindness, support and encouragement.
· Remedies to balance your dosha, allowing prana and creativity to flow with ease.
You will leave the weekend with:
· Renewed (or new!) sense of belief in your inner wisdom.
· A robust writing plan for creativity and dosha balancing.
· Doable seasonal self-care prompts, techniques, and apothecary recommendations.
Use this link to register for the workshop: https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/embodied-writing-method-using-ayurveda-creativity-and-flow
When: Friday, August 15 - Sunday, August 17, 2025
Where: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, 57 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262 (Baltimore folks, this is about a 5-hour drive. Very beautiful once you pass NYC!)
Tuition: $350.00 per person + accommodations (A bargain!!) Includes all of your amazing meals, writing, Ayurveda and creativity sessions with me.
Please join me. This will be an intimate experience, including writing to prompts and sharing our work. Positive feedback and craft notes (if desired) will be given. I’m happy to talk to you about it! Email me at susan@susanweisbohlen.com and let’s set up a time to chat. I promise not to be distracted!!
Thank you all for your support over the years. I hope you are doing well. We are all in this together, so let’s make the most of it!
Susan
Congratulations! Kripalu is my spiritual home, and where I did my YTT. I’ve taught there too….you will have a grand time.
Beautiful and fun, Susan. lived at Kripalu on the resident teaching staff over 40 years ago. I am sure it has changed many times over, as we all have through our writing, living, and loving. Thank you for this looks amazing.