Happy Little Things

A few weeks ago, I had one of those afternoons that left me feeling physically drained, emotionally exhausted, and 100% grumpy. All I wanted to do was collapse on the couch and put on some mindless TV. Maybe I would take a little nap or maybe I would stare listlessly at the TV while I watched Phoebe discover that Monica and Chandler were a couple <gasp>.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me, a lazy afternoon was not in the cards. I had to go teach a yoga class instead. Ugh, how would I help others feel better when I felt like...

Life is elusive. Life is a magical journey. Life is a creative masterpiece. Friends, let's boil this down to one statement that feels less beautifully crafted and more bluntly practical: Life is a mess. Am I right? (I'm totally right.) I am currently navigating myself through the messiest part of a mess, and it feels awful! For anyone who has read Pink Panties & Other Life Lessons, you know that when life gets messy, I want to run away to a cave with twinkle lights. I've googled it. It's a thing. I'm packing my bags now. Perhaps I should back...

Interoception: noun, the process by which the nervous system senses and integrates information about the inner state of the body My son has recently started coming to one of my yoga classes. Well, let me rephrase that. I recently made it a rule in the house that everyone needs to attend one yoga class per week. It has been 8 months since I made this rule. My son, now feeling like an expert, turned to me the other day and told me that his favorite pose is savasana.  Anyone else agree with him?! Savasana is the best! Let me make...

If you are reading this post, then you have already been convinced that yoga is awesome. The best. Makes a difference in physical and emotional well-being. Wonderful! Let's move forward carrying that positive assumption. If yoga has made an impact on your life, then the question becomes how can we increase this positive effect. In what ways can I take that feeling yoga gives me and reproduce it even when I'm not in the classroom?  One answer: Bells of Mindfulness The power of yoga comes from its ability to bring us back into our body and the present moment. It...

We all know the famous quotation by Mr. Rogers in which he indicates that, in any difficult situation, that we should always look for the helpers. Check out this quick 58 second reminder: Mr. Rogers Look for the Helpers Lately, whether it is in my yoga classes or simply in conversations with friends, there is intense anxiety about what is currently happening in the country. I have personally experienced the consequences of current events in my own family, and I have felt the combination of sadness and stress. I have pondered what yogic philosophy and all of my mindfulness training...