By Laura Adams — Last Updated: September 11, 2024

Foreword from Marcia: Teacher Laura Adams is well known at Green Lotus for her careful planning of classes, the weaving together of mindfulness meditation, philosophy, breathwork, and asana in a safe space of compassion. A side of Laura you may not know is this: She loves to write, both prose and poetry, which are part of her life's practices. From time to time, she submits her poetry, an important expression form for her. This poem, "As Nature Shifts", contemplates the transformations of autumn.

As nature shifts
briskly; boldly
my heartbeats whisper,
This is holy.

A sacred turn from
green to red,
orange leaves fall
to earthly beds.

I wonder if – mid-flight –
they know
their bravery in
letting go.

Or just like us,
they cling to bark,
afraid to fly
into the dark.

As nature shifts,
I gaze in awe.
The honesty
in living raw.

Exposed, for all
the world to see,
fear tumbling into
wild and free.

Like me?

Laura is a yoga teacher as well as a freelance writer. Laura received her 200- and 500-hour yoga teacher trainings from Green Lotus Yoga and Healing Center. She teaches several classes a week in a variety of formats at Green Lotus. Her own practice began in 2006 as a way to connect breath to body after dealing with a stress-borne illness.