Laughter: A Gift from My Ancestors 👵🏼


Hi Reader,

Following the guidance of one of my yoga teachers, I committed to a 30-day yoga and meditation practice using visualization and reflection to connect with ancestral strength, acknowledge and honor their sacrifices, and recognize the gifts they passed on.

I was invited to gather meaningful artifacts: photos, flowers, trinkets, anything that held a connection. I collected recipes in my mom’s handwriting, a hand-crocheted doily my grandma made, and, for my brother, always a song by Tom Petty. One of my strongest memories of him is going to a Tom Petty concert together. We talked about it every time we were together.

What did I find?

Laughter. Humor. A surprising lightness.

I wrote more about that unexpected discovery in The Lightness We Carry.

I also moved through anger, sadness, guilt, and forgiveness, ultimately touching a softness inside of me that had been covered up for quite some time.

This experience became part of the inspiration behind my upcoming Ancestral Echoes workshop. I’m excited to send this practice out into the world as an invitation to honor what we carry, discover what still supports us, and choose what we want to carry forward.

Something I’ve Been Dying to Tell You

Over the past year, I’ve been developing and piloting a Signature Series that blends somatic practices, yoga philosophy, creativity, and reflection.

Across the seasons, the series follows a path of uncovering, inviting, and owning your strengths, voice, and purpose.

----------> Stop by to learn more. You'll find the stories behind the series, related articles, and journal prompts. Here’s a little preview:

Spring
☀️ Return to Radiance
⸺ Uncover the light that has always been yours.

Summer
💃🏻 Whimsical & Wild
⸺ Invite creativity, play, and the freedom of authentic expression.

Autumn
🍂 Rooted & Rebellious
⸺ Stand in what is true with authenticity and self-trust.

Winter
☄️ Intuition & Fire
⸺ Follow the quiet pull toward purpose, meaning, and direction.

Upcoming Workshops

Ancestral Echoes — October 7
Honor your roots. Choose your path.

The Gentle Rebel — October 21
Own your voice. Live your story.


With lightness,

Sarah
Soft Smile Somatics
sarah@softsmilesomatics.com
text/tel: 612-440-7480

P.S. If you haven’t been by the website recently, there are many, many changes. Come on over and stay a while.

P.P.S. Know someone who might enjoy these offerings? I’d love it if you forwarded this email their way.