Compassionate yoga yields so much curiosity and self-observation. I remember lessons from my yoga practice and try them out in other situations. I remember to add rest during a particularly busy day. I remember to make time for play, fun, and smiling. I remember to laugh at myself when I fall. I remember to try hard things. I remember I can be brave. I remember it's ok to feel sad; it's also ok to feel proud. I remember to back off.
Read MoreToo often we see everything from the outside-in. We define our worth, our identity, and our level of fulfillment by outside people and things. If we are in a bad or unhealthy relationship, we blame ourselves and believe somehow, on some level, we deserve it. If we are in a successful career, we feel obligated to be happy, even if we don't feel that way. We cling to material possessions, homes, and status because we believe it will affect our state of mind.
Read MoreI think you know who your people are. I think you know the people who have come into your life for a period of time and affected you to your core. They changed you. Maybe they hurt you; maybe they loved you, but after the encounter, you emerged a different version of yourself.
Read MoreOur view of others is always much more loving and accepting than our view of ourself. And according to yoga philosophy, and the concept of non-violence, these seemingly harmless critical whispers actually cause a lot of damage.
Read MoreEverything that makes us stronger is spurred from a type of destruction, a tearing apart of old ways and beliefs.
Read MoreShining our brightest light with the world is scary. Being our most authentic and powerful self might mean losing people, relationships, core beliefs, and even parts of ourself.
Read MoreThis weekend I was reminded that it's ok to play. In fact, play is one of life's greatest joys and human capacities. Play is part of our true nature, and our true purpose. To experience joy in the moment IS a spiritual practice. It's called presence. And fear will always wedge its way in to remind you to get back to "work". But laughter in the midst of chaos is one of the greatest gifts. Play in the midst of pain is one of the greatest healers.
Read MoreWhatever is happening for you right now, it is time. Time to do what's necessary. Time to take care of yourself. Time to say no. Time to say yes. Time to embark on a new adventure. Time to quit. Time to allow your heart open. Time to choose yourself.
Read MoreSomething more than great photography happened during the shoot, something magical and significant with the mirror, my reflection, and the mask. As we photographed, a sort of other-world energy made itself present. We started to not be able to tell the difference between my reflection and my actual body on the other side. Which one was real? In the photos, it’s hard to tell. Who is looking at who?
Read MoreOf course, like everything in life, we walk a narrow path. We do not want to become so sure of ourselves that we never rely on others for support or input. Likewise, we don't want to veer completely in the direction of never being able to form our own opinions without someone else's approval. All of our being is informed, affected, and every experience we've ever had shapes our viewpoint and adds to our knowledge-base.
Read MoreIt turns out honoring who you are, at your core, is the most important thing. Honoring your true self is the winner of all lists, the ultimate deal-breaker, and your ace in the hole. When you know who you are, and you honor that, everything always works out.
Read MoreWhen we do get what we want, we call it fate. When we don't get what we want, we call it failure. Is there a difference? What if the story you would write for yourself is far less than what you deserve? What if our tendency is to sell ourselves short?
Read MoreTo connect with Prana, with your true essence, lie in the grass and feel the soft blades under your palms. Sit up against a thick tree trunk and soak in the wisdom. Walk barefoot. Wade in the sea. Dance in the wind. Stare at the moon.
Read MoreA friend asked if I missed my boys on the weekends they are with their dad. Co-parenting is both exhausting and freeing. Sharing your kids means they are yours and only yours for a period of time, and then all of a sudden, you are alone. The house is silent. Too silent. I miss them.
Read MoreEveryone has self-doubt. Everyone has these stories about themselves. We all believe we are the only ones who fear our own capacity, but in fact, it is very human to wonder if we are enough. And it feels very safe to stay small, to let your ego voice rule and control you by keeping you in the story of "not enough" - not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, enough...
Read MoreSomewhere around the age of 37, I asked myself what I had done wrong. If life was supposed to look like marriage, a house in a nice neighborhood, friends, family, evenly mowed grass, two cars, two kids, two careers - I had all that. So why did I feel so unsettled?
Read MoreEvery experience we have creates a groove and a story in our psyche, a belief about ourself, another person, or a situation. And the more experiences we have that reinforce the story, the deeper the groove becomes, until we don't even realize the pattern is the result of a story at all - we simply accept the belief or behavior as truth. In yoga, our stories, our scars, are called "Samskaras". Samskaras are deep wounds - and they don't have to be the result of something traumatic or even wrong, but they certainly can be and often are.
Read MoreI have a feeling you create everyday, even if you don't call it by that name. You make and decorate a home, you grow a garden, you start a business, you write a poem. Do not underestimate the power of bringing something forth, something that was not in existence just moments before.
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