Our 2012 retreat season may have just ended, but it seems we are already gearing up for 2013. Like this year, the first 2013 Cowgirl Yoga retreat will be our Cowgirls vs. Cancer retreat next June. It will be the program’s 4th year, and the second time that we are able to dedicate an entire retreat to scholarship recipients. In October, during breast cancer awareness month, we are accepting nominations for 2013 cancer kickin’ cowgirls. If you or someone you know is a breast cancer survivor, share your story with us – here’s how. We’ll be taking nominations until November 15, 2012.

Here’s some exciting C vs. C buzz: we got a shout out on the Yoga Journal blog, and one of this year’s scholarship recipients Amanda wrote How Breast Cancer Made Me a Yogini for the Huffington Post.

I love that this month is dedicated to raising awareness and action for breast cancer, and the stories and power behind that are incredible. Despite that positive momentum and the excitement of the growth of our program, I am struggling with my own swirl of emotions connected to both. In September, one of our 2011 Cowgirls vs. Cancer scholarship recipients lost her battle with breast cancer. I’ve been flooded with memories of her time here with us: how hard she made us laugh, her determination to strengthen her body on her new pink yoga mat, her joy at being with the horses, especially “her” horse Bridger. Every time I see him lately, my eyes fill with tears, thinking about Su. But I am grateful that we had the opportunity to meet, and am consoled by the fact that we were able to connect through yoga and horses. It’s also consoled me to dedicate my yoga practices and horse time to her.

You can read Su’s story here and here. Her family has set up a memorial fund for Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, where she worked and shared her passion and vision. Yeehaw and Namaste, sweet Su. We are missing you.
Photo of Su and Bridger by Larry Stanley