Hello beautiful,

In May, we had one more week of work and play on the Big Island, several days of travel back to Cologne, then jumped jetlagged back into teaching, coaching, publishing and celebrating there!

Since June was jammed with juicy end-of-year work and celebrations, PRIDE Month and birthday fun, I'm now wrapping up reflections on May (this week's video and article), June & Quarter 2 (in process), even as summer fully hits.

Hit it did this week, bringing high temperatures to Cologne such that some schools cancelled classes and we had to pull out all the stops to stay cool in the unaccustomed temperatures. Lots of water, iced coffee, iced cream, and not too much movement on the hottest days!

Two family members also successfully made it through critical medical procedures, so grateful for their capable care teams.

Now it has cooled down to a more humane degree in order to celebrate Cologne CSD/Pride this weekend...

​Read the May Replay - 2025 Month 5 Reflection article here​

My other creations, recommendations, and questions for you are:

Listening:

• My new 🔥 This * is on Fire playlist on YouTube was inspired by the element of fire, the heat wave, PRIDE celebrations and the mood of the moment: what other songs should I add?

Viewing:

• My new May 2025 Flip & Reflection video included time with family and friends on the Big Island of Hawai'i and returning to Cologne, coping with jetlag, teaching and creating prolifically. This is a flip-through of the month in my Seasonal Bullet Journal Book, a peek at my Morning Pages notebooks and completed/used-up "empties" of supplies used, media published & personally consumed, high & lowlights and special events
• Started season 3 of "White Lotus," love this comedy-drama and so far Parker Posey is a highlight
• Have been watching more series lately myself, but this list of 11 Best Classic Summer Movies from Camille Styles has some great picks

Reading:

• Finished Olivia Waite's The Hellion's Waltz, another queer read during Pride Month, appreciated the musical themes and artistic imagery, then moved on to
• 3rd in the "Feminine Pursuits" series (though all are stand-alone novels), The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics: A Regency Historical Romance Novel of Love, Astronomy, and Forbidden Desires, with a scientific bent
• ​11 books for your sad girl summer in Europe from Quirine: I like to read more romantic and nostalgic books myself, but some of these sound appealing
• ​Summer TBR & Bucket List from Michala's Cozy Life has books, journaling, and hobbies

Practicing:

• Kitri's Act III variation with fan work from "Don Quixote" is suiting this sizzling summer with Spanish influences in the ballet repertoire
• ​Half Year Reset: this is your sign to journal from Struthless
• Try One Book July if you're looking to simplify planning, notetaking, and journaling
• Some folks are doing Junk Journal July, with daily prompts
• ​Following fellow Queer Yoga Teachers like Susanna Barkataki

Practicing Together LIVE / Adult Movement Classes this week:

• In-Studio Adult Beginner Ballet, 6-7:00pm CET Mondays, Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes, Cologne, Germany creates a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance with drop-ins and Eversports access available (German)
• Online Yogalicious Gentle Yoga. 7-8:00pm CET Tuesdays (7-8:00am HI) provides a delicious mindful movement feast which balances strength, balance and coordination for mind, body, and spirit adaptable to all levels and conditions (English & free trial available, just reply to this email!)
• Online Balletlicious Gentle Adaptive Ballet Barre+, 7:30-8:30am CET Fridays (Thursday p.m. HI) consists of mostly barre with a little dancey centre work, building a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance at home or anywhere in the world (English & free trial available, just reply to this email!)

Inquiring:

• What are you reading? What are your favorite "summer" reads?
• What songs are missing from the This * is on Fire playlist?
• Where do you feel at home?
• For what do you thirst this summer/season?
• What adventures do you look forward to next?

Gladly share your response to the questions above or provide other updates by replying to this email or on social media if you are active there.

Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself and keep moving mindfully!

Love, Blythe

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

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