Grief touches us all—sometimes in big, overwhelming waves and sometimes in quiet, everyday moments. It’s not only the loss of a loved one. It can be the end of a chapter, the fading of a dream, the letting go of what once was. Then & Now: Yoga for Grief is a 4-week in-person series held at the studio a that invites you to slow down, soften, and create space for whatever grief you’re holding.

Guided by longtime friends and collaborators Rebecca Mendez and Monica Welty, this offering weaves together gentle yoga, meditation, poetry, journaling, aromatherapy, and restorative rest—a multi-dimensional experience designed to nurture the body and nervous system, open the heart, and allow grief to simply be.

A Personal Thread of Grief, Poetry, and Practice

For Rebecca, this offering is profoundly personal.

“My mother was a writer, a teacher, a lifelong lover of poetry… Even as her health declined, poetry remained her through line. When reading became too difficult, she would ask us to read aloud to her—Wordsworth, Yeats, anything with soul and rhythm and breath. Her final journal entry reads, ‘it all comes down to poetry.’

It was because of her that I returned to yoga in my 50s, became a teacher, and began weaving poetry into my classes. After she passed, I turned to poetry again—this time to help me process my grief.

That’s when I realized something: yoga, poetry, and grief had become intertwined in my life. And something else had entered that circle—gentle, intentional touch from my friend Monica. Her Aroma Acu-touch sessions offered comfort in a way words couldn’t reach. Her understanding of grief—intuitive and heartfelt—helped anchor me during the hardest moments.”

What Grief Feels Like – A Reflection from Monica

In her blog post Laughter, Monica writes:

“Grief is like laughter. It’s triggered by living. Something happens, something is said, a memory flashes and there it is, carbonating up from your belly or toes or throat. A laugh. You can’t help it. It just happens. Like grief.”

Grief doesn’t live in only one shape or timeline. It arrives as flashes of memory, in the quiet moments, in everyday objects like a milk carton or an old book. It can feel like a time machine. A surprise. A full-body ache or a sudden laugh in the middle of a storm. It touches everything—childhood, parenthood, friendship, love, loss, and even joy.

“Grief is so natural, it’s like laughter. So woven into our daily lives… Sometimes grief is laughter and sometimes laughing is grieving. The gift of both being complex and nuanced and human. A consequence of being alive.”

This series honors that truth. We offer practices that don’t aim to “fix” grief, but instead create space to move through it, breathe with it, and rest beside it.

What to Expect

Each 90-minute session offers a gentle container for whatever phase of grief you find yourself in. Practices include:

• Guided meditation and breath awareness
• Hatha and Restorative yoga
• Poetry readings woven into movement and stillness
• Journaling with prompts (notebooks and pens provided)
• Aroma Acu-touch: gentle healing touch to head, hands, or feet using essential oils, offered by Monica (opt-out available)
• Quiet reflection and optional group sharing

Midway through the series, there will be an opportunity to share something from your grief journey—a name, a memory, a photograph, or even a piece of writing. Sharing is always optional and held with respect.

What Students Are Saying

Participants in our February series shared beautiful reflections about their experience:

“Loved it all. Safe space, calm presence, good pace, good variety. This has been so helpful for me to get grounded and learn some new tools/techniques.” – LS

“The aroma acutouch was really amazing! It also generally felt like a safe and comforting space. I felt very nurtured.” – MS

“I very much appreciate the kindness, generosity, compassion and aesthetic sensibility evident in every aspect of class—the atmosphere, timing, props, gentle and restorative yoga, oils, poetry, and beautiful journals.” – MB

“I loved the variety of ways to learn and be that were offered. I felt fully supported.” – LS

“I loved the way the classes were set up, especially how informative they were and the handouts you provided. I felt the most relaxed and calm after the restorative and acutouch session.” – AA

“All of it. The poetry you shared, the yoga, the writing prompts, and especially the meditation.” – Anonymous

Meet the Co-Leaders

Rebecca Mendez teaches Yoga for Healthy Aging and Beginners Yoga at Sellwood Yoga, and also offers Chair Yoga through yogawithreb.com. Her approach to teaching is rooted in accessibility, presence, and emotional honesty. She closes every class with a poem—a tradition inspired by her mother, who instilled in her a love for writing, storytelling, and the healing power of words.

Monica Welty is a licensed massage therapist, a writer focused on grief, a wellness coach, and a newly certified death doula. Her practice of Aroma Acu-touch brings together the healing power of essential oils with acupressure, offering comfort that transcends words. She writes beautifully and honestly about life, love, and loss on her blog—Harvey the Hero.

Space & Registration

• Tuesdays, April 8 – 29 | 7:30–9:00pm
• In-person only at Sellwood Yoga
• Space is limited to 14 participants to ensure intimacy and care.

This is not a therapy group, but a safe, supportive space for reflection and healing through the practices of yoga, writing, breath, and connection. If you are seeking clinical or therapeutic support for grief, we encourage you to consult with a licensed mental health professional.

Sign up for the April Series here.

Have questions? Read the FAQ here or email yogawithreb@gmail.com.