A long time ago I trained in the 3-year Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy program. I don’t currently practice their techniques, per se, but I learned a lot. As a part of the curriculum, I was required to practice affirmations every day for a month. The assignment was to wake up a few minutes early every morning and practice writing and/or speaking out loud some affirmations. For example, “I speak and act in line with my higher ideals.” Right out of the gate, I felt a HUGE amount

We may be on the same train, but we’re experiencing very different rides. Many of my colleagues are fond of saying things like “We create our own reality with our minds. We can choose not to suffer.” Sometimes when I hear this concept, I feel a bit sick inside. I think it can be used to invalidate someone’s experience and/or blame the victim. For example, if I were to break my leg, there would be very real physical pain and psychological stress. That is a fact. To say it

This Video was recorded in time lapse for amusement. The actual routine is done slowly with relaxed, even breathing. This routine decompresses and mobilizes the upper back, and stretches the chest. It is great for opening up, and reversing the effects of rounding forward over our work. I always feel energized afterwards, like I got "stuck" energy flowing again. This is also a great preparation for deeper back bends, like Ustrasana. I call this routine "flossing my backbon

In addition to my personal classes and private clients, I teach at a yoga studio. Every month we have a "pose of the month" which I really enjoy. By focusing on a particular pose multiple times per month, we get the opportunity to study the pose from different points of view, explore in our own bodies, play with different experiences, and sometimes develop strength and skills with the pose. And if it's a pose we don't like, it gives us the opportunity to practice Muditā, s

The Holidays are upon us. Here are some simple everyday mindfulness techniques to help us take care of ourselves in the midst of what can be a hectic and emotional time. The Holidays can be joyful and they can also be stressful. It’s ok to have mixed feelings. The Holidays are a lot of extra work for many of us. In addition to the shopping, required parties, travel planning, cooking, organizing--there is more emotional labor. It can be overwhelming and exhausting. We may

“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” This is a powerful quote by Brené Brown, Researcher-Storyteller. It comes to me today from one of our teacher trainees who shared with the group Brené Brown's TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability. (Thank you, IM!) In the talk, Brené Brown talks about the true meaning of courage--how courageous people are willing to be vulnerable to say "I love you" first. She also talks about how

Barbara Fredrickson, PHD has been called “The World’s Leading Expert in Happiness.” She says that true happiness is not completely tied to external factors. True Happiness comes from cultivating these qualities: Joy, Gratitude, Serenity, Interest, Hope, Pride, Amusement, Inspiration, Awe, Love. What is not listed: owning a lot of things, always having everything go your way. When I first discovered yoga, I was at a bad time in my life. I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

This is an illustration of the temptation of the Buddha by Mara, the demon king (aka Lord of the Senses, aka Lord of Death). I am not trying to convert anyone to Buddhism! This story has a teaching that we all can enjoy and benefit from. Before I go into the story, I want to talk about Mudras, which are hand shapes that represent certain energies. Mudras are used in yoga, Indian dance, and other places as well. In this illustration we see many fearful things attacking the

Avidyā = spiritual misunderstanding, not knowing, ignorance Avidyā is regarding the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasant and the non-Self as the Self. --Sutra 2.5 the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali This sutra is essentially saying the same thing in many ways. God as you see it, the energy of the universe---is a cosmic vibration of joy and love that creates all things. We are all made of that energy. According to this philosophy, heaven is just ano

Full disclosure: I am writing this post in a mad dash before getting ready to teach, so consider this a preliminary exploration. Śavāsana, (pronounced Shavasana) or Corpse Pose, is often said to be the most important pose of the yoga class, and yet we often run out of time and cut it short. Today, I am dedicating my classes to Śavāsana. Śavāsana is a powerful pose. It gives us what might be the only opportunity we have all day to help regulate our nervous system. We genera

The Pāramīs The Pāramīs, or perfections are qualities the Buddha cultivated within himself in order to reach enlightenment. According to the story, the Buddha was reborn into different lifetimes, and he spent many lifetimes “perfecting” just one of each of the paramis. This story inspires and heartens me. Bringing the paramis off the cushion and into the world isn’t always easy. I love meditating on Maitrī--loving friendliness and genuine well wishes. It makes me feel con

Simple technique for creating mindfulness and working with difficult emotions This meditation can be done in a light way, in the moment. Or you can set aside some time to really explore a difficult life situation, using this technique to go deeper. R. Recognize how you are feeling, how it shows up in the body. A. Allow the feeling, thought, situation to be. See it, notice it without pushing it away. I. Investigate with interest and care. Is it true? Is it ALWAYS tr