The helicopters have started again. Flying in endless loops over Southeast Portland for what seems like countless days now. Polluting the normally serene quiet of our back garden with the throb-throb-throb of rotors cutting through clear skies, fracturing my concentration like a broken mirror. My brain is not one that likes white noise. So whenever this daily procession starts, it’s like a switch is flipped and my bandwidth lurches in the direction of that sound-sound-sound-sound … ad infinitum. Rinse and repeat. sigh

Yet I can bring my brain back to home base. And I do it again and again. One of the amazing benefits of quiet practices such as Restorative yoga, mindfulness, and meditation is that they teach us how to build resilience. Learning how to harness the calming power of your parasympathetic nervous system. Understanding that what we can control is within ourselves. Using internal tools to block out unwanted externalities. So tapping into these techniques, I acknowledge the ‘copter noise, file it away as part of the soundscape around me, take a few rounds of intentional breathing, and go about my day in my way.

Astrologically, November’s full Beaver Moon carries a message that supports these self-regulation efforts. Beavers build dams and store food in preparation to weather the harder months. We can build our own dams of resilience that create stability, nurture security, and block what disrupts our peace. With these tools, we make space to connect with what truly matters: our values, comforts, and emotional foundation.

Use this full moon as a time to build your internal resilience. Join us for a cozy, calming Restorative yoga practice in harmony with the Beaver Moon at Sellwood Yoga on Sunday, November 2 from 4-5:30 pm.