FIG Bites

February 2026: Compassion

Welcome to February!

This month's theme is "Compassion". Compassion is a deep awareness and feeling of concern for another's suffering, combined with a powerful urge to take action to relieve that suffering.

You can feel compassion for others OR you can practice self-compassion. Think of the times you may force yourself to do something when you're tired or put yourself into a yoga posture that doesn't feel good. You matter and you can give yourself a break.

As you move through the rest of this month and into March, think about ways to practice compassion for others AND for yourself.

Healthy Habit

It's that time of year where we're in a crossover phase of changing seasons from winter into spring.

In Ayurveda, winter could be thought of as vata - having qualities that are dry and cold. Most people can see signs of this season in their skin - it can be dry, flaky, cold hands, cold feet, etc.

On the other hand, spring can be thought of as kapha - having earthy qualities that are damp and heavy. According to one of my teachers, a great way to support yourself during this seasonal transition is to stay warm while gently stimulating your circulation and clearing stagnation, so you don’t carry winter’s sluggishness with you into spring.

Seasonal Support: Self-Care Checklist*

Here’s a simple late-winter self-care checklist you can return to over the next few weeks:

Late Winter Self-Care

❄️ Dress warmly, even on milder days, to prevent mucus and stagnation in your system

❄️ Get adequate sleep, but avoid heavy oversleeping

❄️ “Clean out” your body, mind, home, or even your closet

❄️ Let yourself start dreaming up spring projects and creative plans

❄️ Add gentle aerobic movement like walking, dance, cycling, or fluid yoga

❄️ Prioritize daily sunlight and fresh air for natural vitamin D

❄️ Sip tulsi tea to support immunity and mental clarity

Foods & Herbs That Help Right Now

🫚 Leafy greens, radishes, broccoli, basmati rice and well-cooked legumes

🫚 Warming spices like mustard seed, garlic, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper

🫚 Fenugreek which is warming, bitter and gently drying

🫚 Ginger which is activating for your digestive fire while steadying vata (dry, cold qualities)

🫚 Hydrate by drinking warm water, and keep your skin plump with a gentle facial mist

I also work one-on-one with people and could meet with you to determine the best practices to support you based on your unique constitution and goals you want to accomplish.

Send me a note if you're interested in working together.

*Self-care checklist source: The Shakti School with Katie Silcox newsletter

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

~ Jane Goodall

Instead of sharing a mindset tip this month, I want to hear from you!

Respond to this email with answers to the below two questions.

Your answers will help shape this newsletter to give you content that is relevant to you!

What are your top concerns regarding your health and emotions right now?

Sleep
Anxiety
Indigestion / acid reflux / other stomach issues
Sluggishness, lack of motivation
Anger, judgemental
Disengaged, don't care
Overwhelmed
Specific health concern (please include the concern)
Other - please share a concern not covered

What section(s) of this newsletter are you drawn to each month?

Health tip
Mindset tip
Breathwork technique
Book recommendation
Upcoming events

Breathwork Technique: Pay Attention

This month is a short and sweet mindfulness technique.

Throughout each day, stop doing what you're doing and focus on your breath.

What is the quality of your breath?

Is your breath deep? Shallow?
Are you holding your breath?

Where are you breathing from?

Your chest?
Your belly

After you've taken note of your current breath, take 5-8 deep breaths from your belly. You can place your hands on your belly if this helps you to be intentional with your breath.

The practice of stopping and intentionally breathing can help bring you out of your head and more into you body so that you feel more grounded.

Book of the Month!

Cloud Cuckoo Land is a thick book - hahaha AND it's worth the read in addition to Doerr's other book All the Light We Cannot See.

Cloud Cuckoo Land shares stories from people in fifteenth century Constantinople as well as characters in a small town in present-day Idaho. It was fascinating to see how each person's stories were interwoven with each other and then tied up in the end.

Anthony Doerr is also a local Boisean and it's been awesome to see his success!

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

If you enjoyed reading this month's FIG newsletter, why not forward it to a friend?

Join Me at my Upcoming Events!

Moon Cycles + You: How to Live in Sacred Cyclical Attunement 4-part workshop series @ True North: Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 (5:30-6:30pm) - $99, includes unlimited yoga pass for duration of series (sign-up link)

This workshop series is for you if you want to learn how to better support yourself through self-compassionate practices.

Yin & Sound: Starting March 11 at 7pm (and each following Wednesday), I'll be teaching a Yin & Sound class at the Portal. We'll move throgh a gentle Yin practice, holding poses long enough to release deep layers of tension and give your body time to truly soften. From there, you'll be guided into a long, restful savasana with sound healing.

Hackfort 2026, March 27 or 28: I still don't know my presentation date, BUT my topic will be: "Ignite to Innovate: Launching Ideas into Products." More details to come as the Hackfort schedule is finalized.

See you next month!

Angela