During the stay-at-home order, most people cleaned their closets, caught up on their reading, did puzzles, and learned about Zoom. Cathleen Chay wrote a book.
While we may see an influx of pandemic-inspired novels after this worldwide crisis, Chay brings a unique perspective to living life and gives her readers a way to reach calmness in her collections of poems in her new book published this month, Life with Intention.
Instead of learning Zoom, SC resident and yoga instructor Cathleen Chay spent her quarantine writing a book of poems. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
Chay’s introduction to her book states that the book is “A collection of thoughtful, inspiring and insightful works by writers and poets, past and present. The contents of LIFE WITH INTENTION calls us to approach each day with a sense of purpose and direction; with calmness and self-compassion as we navigate the joy and sorrow, pain, and healing of our blessed but imperfect life. The book includes the work of men and women from a variety of belief systems. It is not specifically a spiritual book, but rather a book for the spirit.”
What gave Chay the idea to write this book?
Chay said, “I am a yoga teacher here in Sun City. It is my practice to begin each class with an inspirational reading and follow up with asking them to set an intention for practice based on the reading. Students would often ask to have a copy of my reading. At first, I had intended the book to help Yoga teachers and students, but I realized that we all need inspiration and guidance to live a more intentional life.”
Chay’s classes in Sun City are popular and her Winter and Summer Solstice-themed classes were so full they were held in the Drendel Ballroom.
Chay said, “After I got my certification to teach yoga, I was trying to figure out how to teach it. I needed to figure out the Basics and I found that when I incorporate a theme, a celebration of the holidays like Thanksgiving. The results are a wonderful class for the students. The Solstice is a time to connect and, let go of the things that no longer serve us, and set intentions.”
The word solstice means “sun standing still,” and the date has been recognized across many cultures as a time to celebrate.
This is Chay’s first published work.
Chay said, “It was a struggle. I would say ‘I don’t know if I can do it.’ But I had Richard [Cathleen’s husband] giving me a gentle push. He got me through it. I am not great with technology, but luckily Richard is and he helped me out and encouraged me.”
Chay dedicated her first published book to Richard.
“The book is a collection of poems that I wrote, poems I got permission to include, and public domain poems. I ended up writing more than I had intended and more than half of the book is my pieces.”
How did Chay go about publishing her book?
Chay said, “It was pretty easy. Richard helped me through the process. We did it through Amazon and used Kindle Direct Publishing. The hard part was proofreading the book. It took hours and hours.”
This project inspired Chay to continue writing,
Chay said, “I have been inspired to write a Yoga 101 book. I think that I could help new Yoga instructors. I plan to talk about the history of yoga, themes to be included in the classes, what the students can expect from the class.”
Richard Chay said, “I have gone to the classes, and it’s not just sitting around. A lot of men have started going to the classes. There is stretching, strengthening, and most important now is maintaining balance.”
Chay’s next book is set to debut in 2021. You can get her current book, Life with Intention, on Amazon.
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