One morning, a few weeks ago, I was feeling so exhausted. I had so much on my plate, and I was feeling pulled in a million directions. In this moment, my heart was beating ever so quickly, and my mind was racing.

Rest is Resistance

I took some advice from a book I was reading, Rest is Resistance…A Manifesto, by Tricia Hersey. Isn’t it interesting how certain things come into our lives at certain times? This book sparked so many complicated thoughts and feelings within me.

This book left me pondering questions such as:

• What is rest?
• What does this four letter word mean to me?
• And even more importantly, do I value rest in the same way I value work?
• How can I integrate more moments of rest into my daily life?

Many of my ideas of rest have shifted as I have taken a deep dive into my own beliefs and conditioning.

Two steps forward, one step back.

I wish I could tell you that I kept up this pace, but in the days that followed, my sense of overwhelm crept back in. But that’s life. We live, we learn, we take two steps forward and one step back.

This lesson, the power and gift of a few moments of rest, will take time to really sink in for me. I’m programmed to work. To grind. It’s not a bad thing, because I value work. However, it’s ok and even essential to rest.

Bears rest. They hibernate in their caves. They don’t deal with year-round grind culture. Some days, I wish I could be a bear, or a bird, or a fox. In Yoga, many of our poses mimic the movements of animals. And I think it’s part of our nature to learn from what we observe. I learn so much from the animals, plants and the quiet background presence of the natural world around me.

In this culture, we are rewarded for work. I’ve learned to grind by watching other people work hard and be rewarded. I don’t want to let go of this lesson, but I know I am so much more productive when I integrate restful rituals into my daily life. A life of balance is what I seek.

Winter is a season of rest. The days are shorter and colder. We naturally slow down, but the demands on our time only seem to escalate. Now we have holiday parties to plan and gifts to buy. It can be a wonderful time of year, and also a very stressful time of year. May we remember that we are meant to slow down in the winter. Winter Solstice invites us to turn inward. TIS THE SEASON FOR REST.

What does rest feel like for you?

Sweet Nothingness.

Last week, I turned 47. Birthdays are always a time of self-reflection for me, and a time to set new intentions. I am committed to leaning into rest this winter season. I am trying to do more by doing less. A new mantra I discovered with the help of my sweet daughter is this: “il dolche far niente”. In Italian, this means “The sweetness of doing nothing; pleasurable idleness.”

My Invitation

The dark days of winter are an opportunity to slow down and create space for self-care. I am gifting myself with the power and beauty of rest. I am giving myself time to soak in laziness, enjoy slow meditative afternoon walks, listen to soothing music, bathe in beautiful literature and poetry, detox from social media, delight in deep relaxation, watch movies with my children, and relax in the arms of the one I love. This season I am doing my best to be intentional with my time. To read, to journal, to nap and to daydream.

I invite you to slow down with me! I’m teaching a workshop this Saturday where I will incorporate practices and share tools to help you find the sweetness of rest.

I’m on a journey to discover the power of rest. If you, like me, are feeling spread too thin, overwhelmed, exhausted or stressed out, come join me for this special event. Give yourself or your loved ones the GIFT of rest.

In the words of author and spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, “You are here to enable the divine purpose of the Universe to unfold. That is how important you are!”

This past week has presented some unexpected and stressful challenges, for me. I’ve been riding the roller coaster of emotions, feeling it all. I’ve experienced moments of wondering why I do this work that I do. I’ve even questioned the path I am on. And yet, my trust has been restored over and over again this week.

Something really tender happened for me this morning…

I was leading a yoga practice at an addiction recovery center up in the mountains and hills of Northern, CA. There were 12 clients present today, which is quite larger than our normal crew. It started off a little rough, with lots of distractions around us. We moved through a sequence of poses, taking time in each one to feel the shape and explore the breath. Each person in the room was in a very different body and having a very different experience. 

At the end of our yoga practice, I invited the group to lie on their backs for a guided meditation practice. As they laid there, supported by the ground beneath them, I observed each person in the room. One woman had her hands on her heart and a tender smile on her face. Another gentleman took up lots of space on his mat with his palms facing towards the sky; he looked open and ready to receive. Another woman seemed to be feeling an emotion; her face told me so. One man was curled up into a fetal position with his hands cradling his head, nurturing himself. Another man was having a very hard time being still, but I watched him soften and gradually relax through the process. And then there was the guy who was playing cards on his mat. 🙂 As I watched these beautiful humans together, I remembered why I do this work and how rewarding it is to watch humans just simply BE right where they are. 

Something beautiful happens when we simply do our best, let go of fear and uncertainty, and lean into trust. When I open my heart and trust in LIFE, things naturally unfold in a way that is hard to put into words. I remember why I am here & why I do what I do.

I am so grateful for strangers, students, teachers, family and friends who show up to help me when I am in need, for the way in which Mother Nature so naturally teaches me, and for the organic way the universe manifests the mysteries of life!

In a few days, we will experience a new moon in which the energy of the moon helps us reflect on the past, set new intentions and envision new dreams. The energy of the new moon and solar eclipse is fresh, even inviting, and can remind us of what our soul came here to achieve. October’s moon is a partial solar eclipse, and so it can open us to the deep and mysterious caverns of our hearts that we’ve yet to explore. The spiritual meaning of the October 2022 new moon solar eclipse is to bring heart-centered transformations for all zodiac signs. During this phase of the moon cycle, it is a wonderful time to create or shift our heartfelt intentions and renew our trust in the magic of LIFE.

I’d love for you to join me and my sweet friend as we guide you through a journey of exploration in a New Moon ceremony this Saturday evening, October 22nd at the lovely Leap Studios. We’ll begin our journey with gentle Yin Yoga, followed by an extended deep relaxation. Meditation, music & sound healing will be interwoven into our evening. And finally, we’ll relax and enjoy an enchanting sound bath led by the talented Jacquelynn Knoll, who is a beautiful human being and gypsy soul! You’ll experience restoration, renewal, and healing, and leave feeling deeply connected to Mother Nature. Join us for an enchanting evening, devoted to the energy of the sun, the light of the moon and the magic of the stars!

Sunlight, Moonlight and Rituals

Nature has such a way of instructing me. She does not teach from a pulpit, nor from a manual. She is within and around us every day; her lessons are everywhere. Her breath is in the wind, her voice is in the waves, her warmth in the sun, her inspiration in the stars, her wisdom in the trees, and her guidance in the light of the moon.

In Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga, humans experience both a 24 hour circadian-cycle as well as a lunar, seasonal and yearly circadian cycle. These cycles are the pillars of living an Ayurvedic life bringing balance between our body and the natural environment. As we live in alignment with the natural rhythms and cycles of the earth, we feel a sense of connection with nature and all her elements.

Our relationship with nature is reciprocal. If we spend more time in nature, we come to recognize the medicine and importance of natural spaces. We are more inclined to maintain and protect the natural space around us because we have a relationship with it.

The sun is so majestic, so powerful, and so full of light.

The sun has the ability to make our skin glow and our soul shine. The sun helps us feel cheerful, happy, healthy, and radiant. Oh, how I love the sunshine.

And yet, there is something magical, mysterious and mercurial about the moon. Often, the moon is not recognized or appreciated like the sun, because her most bright light shines when we are asleep.

As I have become more aware of my various phases, and those of my daughters, I have become more curious about the phases of the moon.

Lately, I find myself walking outside at night to witness the shape and the quiet beauty of the moon. This night-time ritual that helps me remember that even during our dark hours, there is light that exists within the world and within us all.

One late summer night, during a particularly dark phase, I went outside and stared up at the bright full moon. I was feeling grief, worry, and fear during this period.

I was grieving the changing seasons of motherhood and the loss of my children’s pure innocence. I was worried about how I would be able to guide them in such a chaotic and confusing world. I was feeling into some fears about my future, not knowing what was to come. During this dark time, I was searching for light.

On that particular night, I spent some time standing there, observing this magnificent sight, taking in her light.

Barefoot, on the side of the road, with tear filled eyes, I placed my hands on my heart and silently observed her exquisite beauty. In that moment, as I stared up at her with curious eyes, it seemed that she saw me too.

I saw her in me and me in her.

Healing is an act of love, an act of the soul.

Like most humans, I struggle with anxiety, worry, fear, and stress. I feel a lot of pressure in my life. And, I grieve loss and change.

During these times, I ask for space. I go inward. I search for light. And always, I find light within the darkness. I come away from each experience, just a little more healed and with a little more self-awareness than I had before. My heart opens.

Life has a way of wounding us and breaking our hearts. None of us is exempt from life’s ups and downs. When we take time to draw inward, we discover the story of the heart. When we tend to the garden within, we grow.

Healing is an inner journey and a path to becoming the highest version of ourselves.

Learning to truly love myself has been key to my healing. My relationship with myself is priority. Without that, there is no authentic relationship with others.

Will you be explorer who dares to sail into unknown waters and brave the wilderness?

How Yin Heals my Soul

As often as I can, I treat myself to a Yin Yoga class or workshop. Recently, I had a beautiful and healing experience take place within me during one.

As I slowly shifted from one pose to another, while using my breath as a tool, I began to feel my body open and my mind relax. As our final pose, before rest, we were called to Bound Angle / Butterfly Pose- Baddha Konasana. This therapeutic pose opens the hips, stretches the lower body and improves circulation. It can also relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, tension and fatigue.

As I sat in this pose with my knees butterflying open and the souls of my feet together, I became deeply reflective. I invited imagery into my practice. I was present, calm, relaxed, and at peace. Tears fell from my eyes.

I was so moved by my experience, so I pulled out my journal and began to write. This poem is the product of my experience that day and some of my more recent moments of healing.

New Season, New Moon, New Intentions

One of the most simple healing modalities I use in my work and in my life is that of sankalpa. In Sanskrit, San means “to become one with” and kalpa means “time” or the “subconscious mind.” According to yogic philosophy, sankalpa is the word for intention. Typically, it is a self-created short phrase or sentence, clearly and concisely expressed. Sankalpas foster focus, motivation, determination, paticence, and perseverance- all qualities that enable us to develop, sustain, and deepen our meditation practice. Sankalpa represents a heartfelt intention reflecting our highest ideals and points us towards our heart’s deepest desire.

In Yoga Therapy, we use sankalpa as a yogic tool to help the client design a personal intention, a resolve to bring about positive change in their life. We interweave sankalpa specifically into meditation and deep relaxation practices.

A sankalpa is often resonant during yoga Nidra, a state of deep relaxation. It is believed that when the mind is relaxed, the sankalpa can be written on the subconscious mind and in the heart.

New seasons naturally feel like a time for me to evolve my personal rituals and practices. With the arrival of a new season and the symbolism of Fall Equinox, I felt inspired to re-design and re-commit to my own personal sankalpa. I’ve been interweaving my sankalpa into my personal meditation practices as well as introducing it to my students and clients this week.

I recently began working at an addiction recovery center, integrating yogic practices and yoga therapy into small group settings. This has been a humbling and rewarding experience for me. On Fall Equinox, I was working at the center with a small group of clients. We began our practice with a grounding exercise themed around new seasons, a new moon and new intentions.

We moved through a sequence of practices, including breath work, movement and grounding. I invited them to take a few quiet moments to create and write down their own sankalpas. Then, they had the opportunity to share any reflections. They were focused, engaged and present. The reflections and intentions shared were beautiiful, poetic, and heartfelt.

Finally, we ended with a deep relaxation practice. As they rested, I scanned the room and observed each person. I was moved by the way they were able to be still and calm. On that lovely fall morning, healing took place.

To watch others heal is a gift. To experience my own healing take place at the same time is icing on the cake.

I honor all those who are in the space of healing. There is so much work to be done, and yet, I see it happening all around me. I am grateful for those who show up in healing spaces and hold space for so many others. I am thankful for the wisdom and teachings of those who have gone before us and introduced these beautiful concepts and practices. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

These simple tools can enhance our practices and give our lives direction and purpose. As we commit to daily acts of love and self-care, we are changed.

Tonight, we welcome a new moon which represents a new phase of the moon cycle. It is a perfect time to create and develop a personal sankalpa. I encourage you to reflect for a few moments today. Perhaps, write out a sankalpa. Keep it simple and personal for you. Memorize it. Then, next time you find yourself in a moment of stress, worry or fear, sit down for a few minutes and take a few deep, long breaths. Bring to mind your sankalpa. Say it to yourself several times. Visualize what it looks like, and imagine how it feels to live in this way. And then move forward with your day with a sense of confidence and trust.

This, my friends, is the work of the soul.

May we heal our relationships with ourselves, with one another and with our beautiful Mother Earth. Let us not underestimate the power of healing that can come through the sun, the moon, and the stars.

References

Live and Breathe your Resolutions

How to Create a Sankalpa

The Staying Power of Intention

Soul of Yoga

Seasons and Shifting

Our planet is changing, as are we. In his book, A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle says,

“There’s a shift happening in humanity, a shift in consciousness, happening now, because it has to happen now.”

-Eckhart Tolle

We are living in a mysterious time. I am noticing a shift in consciousness happening in my own life and in the lives of so many others. A new season is arising and unfolding.

Springtime is such a beautiful and instructive time of year. It is the bridge between two opposites, winter and summer.

As we say goodbye to spring and welcome summer, I am reminded that each season is unique. Spring is a period of rebirth, renewal and restoration. Oh, how I love the spring (minus the allergies)!

I witness tiny miracles every day when I walk outside into the sunlight and see the flowers and trees in bloom. I feel a shifting in the way the temperatures rise and fall with each passing day. In her quiet ways, Mother Earth teaches us that change is necessary for growth.

Often, out of fear, we resist change. When we resist change, we fight against nature. Yet change allows for new ideas and new life to unfold. When we allow change, we ebb and flow with nature.

Motherhood & Mother Nature

I love the neighborhood I live in. It has a quiet and charming feel to it. Shades of green and pops of color fill the landscape here. I am surrounded by trees where I live. It is part of why I love living here. We also have wild turkeys that roam free during the daytime hours. I love watching mother turkeys nurturing their new babies at this time of year. In the night-time hours, they roost in the tall trees. However, the female turkeys stay on the ground when incubating and raising their newly hatched brood. They shelter their new chicks under their wings. They patiently wait for their babies to develop their wings to fly well enough.

These simple moments in nature can be so instructive. They allow us to ponder life’s questions and challenges.

Parenting, in this day and age, is one of the greatest challenges we face.

I am thankful to those who help me raise my own children in an ever-changing world.

I feel gratitude for my daughters and their unique personalities and experiences. I cannot raise them in the same way, because they are not the same people. They are each unique, each one with her individual struggles and strengths.

And yet, they are much the same. They are made of the same stardust.

The irony about raising children is that the older our children get, the less we know about parenting! Children humble us, hurt us, teach us, inspire us, question us, and surprise us. They remind us how little we know.

As I look back on my own upbringing, I feel gratitude for the ways in which my parents nurtured me. So often we can wonder why our parents did certain things the way they did. As I watch my own children grow, I feel a sense of empathy for my parents who, like me, did not have a guide to the perfect way of parenting. They did the best they could with what they knew. Just like me.

Like many mothers and fathers, I have hopes and dreams for my children. As they grow, they form different opinions, beliefs and ideas about the world around them. It is my job to raise and protect them, just like the mother turkey who so carefully tends to her babies. And yet, I want them to be free. I want them to discover their wings. I want them to find their own path, whatever that is.

These are the musings of my mothering heart.

Spiritual Parenting

But when I take time to really listen, I learn more about the world they are growing up in. I begin to see them with new eyes.

The beauty of motherhood, and fatherhood, is not in the well-edited pictures we show the world, but rather in the inner workings we do in our own hearts.

She was facing a world full of high schoolers, all being pulled in different directions. As I watched from my car that day, tears came to my eyes. In that moment, I knew that her world was challenging, just like mine. And yet, her world is very different from mine.

I felt so close to her, and yet, so far away.

She has asked me for space. This feels much different than when she was young. In her childhood days, she wanted me close to her. Snuggles, butterfly kisses and bedtime stories were our daily love language. And now, she is different.

She is blossoming.

Recently, I listened to a lovely podcast conversation between two inspiring women. Krista Tippets is the host of On Being podcast. Her podcast continues to be a favorite of mine. She interviews Sylvia Boorstein who is a mother, grandmother, Jewish-Buddhist teacher and psychotherapist. Together, they talk about raising children. They discuss how nurturing children’s inner lives can be woven into the fabric of our days. She reframes our ideas of spirituality and how we can adopt these ideas into our parenting. This idea suggests that rather than trying to fix your child, you say something like, “Sweetheart, you are in pain. Relax, take a breath. Let’s pay attention to what is happening. Then, we’ll figure out what to do.” 

Spiritual parenting, also known as conscious parenting, is a more awakened and open approach to parenting. It is parenting in a more conscious way rather than in a controlled way. It is about letting go of what we want for our children and giving them space to evolve, in their own time and in their own way. As we let go and give them space, they discover who they are. They develop emotional maturity. They become more authentic versions of themselves.

I feel so much responsibility to raise my children and instill important values in them. Children are very forgiving when we can acknowledge and take accountability for our mistakes. We we walk beside our children rather than in front of them, they are more open to loving guidance. They learn to take accountability for their actions when we take accountability for ours.

We all become empowered.

As my intention has become less about teaching my children and more about letting them teach me, I am learning so much about the world they live in and the challenges they face. As I reflectively and compassionately listen and ask questions, my relationships with them become more authentic. I am so grateful for the women in my life who shed light on these subjects and inspire me.

Reframing Spirituality

Speaking of spirituality, there is so much talk of it these days. What does that mean to you…to be a spiritual person?

Words limit us, and yet language is how we communicate. The very language we use is shifting. We are reframing our ideas of what spirituality is.

Several years ago, I made the very difficult choice to leave my lifelong religion. When I left, I wanted to make sure my family and friends knew why I was leaving. I didn’t want to be labeled as weak, lazy, or crazy. You see, there are many myths about people who leave. In a way, I felt like I needed to explain and defend my choice. I knew people made judgements because I had made judgements when I was in their shoes too.

So, I wrote a letter. My letter was heartfelt and true. I simply wanted the people I loved to know that I felt called to a new spiritual path. I wanted the people in my life to know that I was still a spiritual woman.

Sometimes, on our journey towards spirituality, we can develop a spiritual ego. This comes when we need to prove our spirituality, as if we have something to prove.

I can see now what I could not see then. I did not need to prove or explain anything to anyone. I just needed to trust that the choice I was making was the right choice for me, and I knew it was. Letting go of what others perceived to be true was hard for me. Eventually, I was able to let that go and learn from the whole experience.

I am not sure I understood what my spirituality was fully, at that point. For much of my life, I attributed my spirituality to my religion, as if they were one and the same. Now I understand better the truth of it all. Mormonism gave me an opportunity to experience and explore that part of myself in some ways. However, that part of me was always there. Spirituality really has nothing to do with religion, although religion provides a framework for one to develop aspects of their spirituality.

Spirituality is an innate part of all of us, no matter our race, religion, cultural background, opinions, preferences, etc. It is inherent; we are born with it. Spirituality is not something we earn because of our righteous deeds or because of a belief system instilled within us. Spirituality is not earned; it is realized.

We are spiritual by nature.

Our life’s challenge, our life’s lesson, is to learn to be human.

Right here, right now.

Spirituality is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, awe, wonder, contentment, gratitude, acceptance and presence. We may feel connected to the Divine, a Higher Power, Mother Nature, or the God within.

Spirituality has a quiet background presence to it. A person living with a deep sense of spirituality has a presence, a glow, an inner beauty that radiates from the inside out. Spirituality is a way of Being.

The windows of heaven open.

Spirituality is a practice of being present in whatever moment you are in. It can be practiced in a loving kindness meditation or taking a moment out of your busy day to feel and express gratitude. It can be experienced by walking outside in and feeling the wind brush up against your face. It can be experienced by listening to the songs of the birds. It can be sensed when noticing flowers blossom and new life bloom. Spirituality can be felt inside the walls of a church or a meditation center. It can be experienced while swimming in the ocean or walking through a meadow.

Spirituality is found in the ways in which we care for ourselves and the ones we love. Spirituality is a practice.

“Spirituality isn’t just done by sitting down and meditating. Spirituality is in folding the towels in a sweet way or talking kindly to people in the family even though you’ve had a long day.”

– Sylvia Boorstein

Spirituality is Presence.

When we are present in whatever moment we are in, we grow in our spirituality.

Expansion

When we judge ourselves and one another, we limit our spirituality. Anytime we develop a mindset of one-way thinking, we become fixed in our ways. As we mature, we realize how vast spirituality is. We begin to think outside the boxes that society puts us in.

For many years I could not see beyond the limits of my belief system. For a long time, I believed there was one path to truth. A shift took place in me, and I began to realize that some of my opinions, perceptions and beliefs were limiting my personal spiritual growth. A shift in my consciousness was happening.

I believe that the most important path we will ever take is the one that feels true to us in whatever moment we are in.

Often, when pondering some of life’s deepest questions, we ask, “Why am I here?” This question can either keep us stuck or set us free.

In his book, The Fifth Agreement, Don Miguel Ruiz shares:

“You are here just to be, for no reason. You have no mission except to enjoy life, to be happy. The only thing you need is just to be the real you. Be authentic. Be the presence. Be happiness. Be love. Be joy. Be yourself; that’s the main point. That’s wisdom.”

When we learn to pay attention, to be present in each moment of our lives, and to live with a sense of gratitude for each breath we take, spiritual dimensions open.

SISTERHOOD

For many years, we humans have separated the ideas of science and spirituality.

Some say one is a fool to lead a spiritual life; others rely solely on spirituality without needing science to help them map their way through the world. What if both of these ideas are much more integrated than we think?

Science has given us the methods for discovering truth. Science teaches us about facts. The facts are the bones of the story.

Spirituality remains a force of generating meaning and purpose into our lives. There is a mysticism in spirituality. It is the magic of the story.

Often, they are seen as mutually exclusive. They are different, just like our own children are different. And yet, there is a sameness. They compliment each other. We don’t need to pick a side. Together, they are sisters of nature.

Both science and a sense of spirituality are needed to map our way through the journey of life.

Yoga Therapy: Mind, Body, Spirit Connection

For many years, we have compartmentalized the physical, the emotional, the mental and the spiritual. We are being challenged to reframe our ideas of their separateness. There is a sisterhood in the mind, body, spirit connection. Each of these parts of ourselves plays a different role. When these three unique parts of ourselves are in alignment, we feel whole.

In the field of Yoga Therapy, we value both fields of science and spirituality, specifically as they relate to mind-body-spirit health. We consider the relationship of our physical, mental and spiritual health as fully integrated parts of ourselves.

Just as a mother sees her each of her children as unique, we see each client as a unique human being. We work one on one and in small group settings.

We note an individual’s chief complaints, diet and lifestyle choices, symptoms, current situation and current care. Most of our work is done as we compassionately and reflectively listen, observe posture and breath patterns, note emotional and mental state of being, and assess a client’s needs.

So, we watch and observe. We note the quality of the breath and where the person is breathing from. We offer specific breathing practices to help a person learn to breathe in a more beneficial way.

When working with a person who struggles with stress, we inquire where in the body they have tension or pain. We offer restorative practices which can help alleviate pain.

We offer tools to help calm or energize the nervous system.

We use a variety of lenses, including Chakras, Koshas, Gunas, Doshas, and more.

Then, we create a customized plan of care which can empower the individual to improve his or her own health and well-being. We work with people to help them discover the tools they need to experience healing and wholeness.

As people recover from addiction, learn to manage stress, improve their sleep habits, heal from injury and trauma, and manage anxiety and depression, their entire life changes.

We do not seek to cure or fix. We seek to understand and empower. We have a specific role we play in empowering others to discover their own true nature.

Healing is an inner experience that can include support from many types of professionals, but the work always begins and ends in one’s own soul.

I love this work. I believe it can help heal and restore what is broken in our world.

Earth and Heaven Chakras

The body is such a miracle. The mind is such a mystery. The spirit is where the magic happens. When working in harmony, we live our best lives!

There is a myriad of ways to explore different aspects or qualities of ourselves. In my last blogpost, I introduced the Chakras. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy and light all throughout the human body. Chakra exploration is simply one lens to look at ourselves more closely through.

Simply put, when the chakras are blocked, energy gets stuck. Blockages happen when we experience disturbances. Disturbances are a normal part of life. We all have ’em! It’s part of the human experience.

We get energy, Prana, flowing. This is how we remove blockages in our chakras.

When people refer to the chakras, they typically begin from the base and move up. At our base chakra, we connect with earth. The lower three chakras are considered earth chakras- root, sacral and solar plexus. The next three chakras are considered the heaven chakras- heart, throat, third eye and crown of the head. At our crown chakra, we connect with heaven.

When the chakras are in harmonious pairs—heaven and earth—they allow us to live a balanced and healthy life. We feel restored. As we live in harmony with ourselves, with nature and with one another, heaven and earth join.

Life becomes heaven on earth.

Open Hearts

Today, I’d like to introduce the fourth chakra…The Anahata Chakra. Its location is the central channel of the spine, the heart center. Its associated glands and organs are the thymus, lungs, chest, arms, breasts and heart. It is embraced as the heart chakra, the center of love. Its symbol, the lotus flower.

I love to practice this particular mudra in my morning meditation. It reminds me of my own personal growth and what has emerged for me as I have withstood the dark winters of my life and allowed new life to blossom.

The element represented in this chakra is air. Its primary color is green- the color of life! It’s secondary color is pink- the color of love!

“The heart chakra vibrates as the color green, the color when spring is born. It is that soft aura that we experience in the early spring which gives us hope for the future. The color is both soothing and healing.”

-Nischala Joy Devi

The practices and modalities of Yoga help us open and energize the individual chakras. There are particular poses we can do to open our hearts and receive. One of my favorite heart openers to call my students to at the beginning or ending of a class or session is Fish Pose, Matsyasana.

This pose is done by lying on the back with your legs extended and your arms resting alongside your body. Next, is to snuggle the shoulder blades into the upper back and lift the torso and head away from the floor, creating an arch in your back. A block placed under the thoracic spine can be helpful. You may release the back of the head onto the floor if it feels ok. For some, a second block under the head is useful as to not compromise the integrity of the neck.

Simultaneously, you activate, relax and breathe.

The physical benefits of this pose are numerous. Our breath becomes expansive in this pose. Fish Pose is also a metaphor of being open to receive.

The sense of touch is connected with the Anahata Chakra. The emotion associated with this chakra is love.

Have you experienced heartbreak as of late? If so, take a moment. Wherever you are, bring your hands close to your heart. Come into Lotus Mudra and begin to breath into your heart space. Slowly, and one breath at a time, let it go. Let yourself feel all of the feels nestled inside your beautiful heart.

Tears may flow when the Anahata chakra blossoms open. We may experience feelings of grief, and we may experience feelings of love.

As we live with an open heart, without being attached to outcomes, we allow space for new hopes, new dreams, new life, and new love to be born.

A Reminder

A couple months ago, Dave and I traveled to Colorado with some friends. Together, we went to a Trevor Hall concert at the beautiful Red Rocks amphitheater. This place has an energy that is indescribable.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a new place with the ones we love, including beautiful strangers who no longer seem like strangers. I found myself in that place on that night. We were all connected by the music, the mountains and the star-filled night sky. It seemed unreal, and yet it was real.

As we danced and sang together that night, I was moved by the lyrics in many of the songs. One song, in particular, really spoke to me. It is a song that I have loved for a long time, but on this particular night and in this particular place, the words struck me in a new way (feel free to listen, here).

As the song played, I felt gratitude for the people in my life. I was surrounded by beautiful people. I was surrounded by friends. I was surrounded by nature. I was surrounded by love. Dave and I held each other close.

Tears began to stream from my eyes. I felt enveloped in love.

I was reminded that love is not something to be sought after. Love is at our very center. We are made of love. It is the very fabric of our Being.

That knowledge is power.

We have the power to change this world. However, it begins within. We cannot build outside of ourselves that which we have not built within.

As we restore and find balance to the Anahata chakra, we develop compassion.

Compassion is at the heart of love. Compassion is a way of being present for someone. A person who is compassionate listens. No judgement takes place, just open ears and an open heart. The greatest gift we can offer someone is to hold space for them. A soothing presence will invite a person who is experiencing pain to feel safe. A true friend is one who listens and feels compassion. Compassion empowers us to serve. Compassion is the bridge between war and peace.

I once heard someone wise say that all things are an act of love or a call for love. Everything comes back to the heart. Love is the key to opening that door.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

-Rumi

ONE MESSAGE: HEAL THE WORLD

At the heart of every great story ever told is the journey of healing and love. The underlying message of all the stories we share as human beings is similar. All the great scientists and spiritual leaders we honor have taught this message in one way or another. Their stories are different, but their message is the same: Heal the world. Love, above all.

As we practice spirituality and embrace science, we restore balance. As we live from a place of love, we bring it into our homes and into our communities. As we develop compassion, we end war, we build bridges, and we live in peace. We build a more beautiful, peaceful world.

We are reframing our ideas of love, parenting, spirituality, science, health and well-being. This the season we are in. A season of change, growth, expansion and healing. This is the shift in consciousness that is happening in the world right now.

How do we heal the world? We heal the world, one heart at a time.

This is how we build a new earth and a new heaven.

There’s never been a better time to do this work. The time is now.

A Gift, From My Heart to Your Heart

Finally, I wrote and recorded this simple meditation. It is inspired by Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth, which is a favorite of mine. This a 15 minute Yoga Nidra practice, including imagery, guided breath work and a song.

You can listen to it anywhere, anytime. There is no wrong or right way to do this. Just find a quiet place. Allow your heart to be open. Feel whatever arises.

Relax. Breathe. Enjoy. Take this ride…

All my love,

Holly ❤️

Today, I pose a simple question for you. Before you read on, take a short pause. Place your left hand on your heart, and rest your right hand just below your belly. Begin to breathe very slowly… and take a moment to let this question permeate your soul:

What does it mean to live a life ON FIRE?

Notice any sensations or feelings you may be experiencing. Close your eyes and reflect. I invite you to take a moment to write down any words, thoughts, ideas, or pictures that came to your mind.

The Dreamer, the Lover and the Fighter

As a young girl, I dreamt about all the beautiful things. So many dreams were nestled inside my young girl heart. Sometimes it felt like my life was too small for the great big dreams that existed within me.

I dreamt about writing. And so, I became a writer. I wrote poetry, short stories and dramatic journal entries. Putting words to paper felt so natural for me. It felt like a safe space for me to say all the things I wanted to say. It brought out the artist and the creator within me. It made me feel alive and free. So, I wrote. No one told me I had to earn my ‘writer-hood’. All I had to do was write.

I dreamt about being a dancer and a singer. Some of my most treasured memories include bringing my sisters or the kids I babysat together and choreographing dance routines. I wanted the people I loved to be passionate about the things I loved. I became quite the dance drill sergeant. But, can I just say…our dance routines were pretty amazing! I mean, I’m kinda proud of myself. I orchestrated it all without any teaching experience. I had no fear. All I had was a sense of confidence and passion for the beautiful things in life.

I sang and danced my heart out to many a Whitney Houston or Cyndi Lauper song!

I have a vivid memory of one particular dance routine we choreographed and performed at a family camping trip to a favorite song, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. I have an ocean of memories of bringing together my siblings, cousins, neighbors and friends together. I was not afraid to gather people to watch us perform. I wanted the people I loved to be passionate about what I loved. And I loved LIFE!

I was created from love. I was raised in a home where love was present. Love was instilled in me from a very young age. I witnessed a special love between my parents. Their love was unique. I was a curious girl. I loved sneaking into my mom’s room to look at her jewelry and perfumes. Her jewelry box was filled with all sorts of treasures. One day, as I was looking through some of her things, I found a love note she had written to my dad. I do not remember the words in that letter, but I remember the way it made me feel. It was the first time I saw my mom in a new light. She wasn’t just a mom. She was a woman in love. She was a sensual, passionate woman. I did not know how to feel about it then, because it was my mom. I can now see what a gift it was to have a mother who was deeply in love. My dad was the recipient of her sweet love, and what a lucky guy! Together, they did their very best to teach me about love.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where we receive so many mixed messages.

These messages can feel confusing and conflicting. While I had a good example of love from my parents, I felt confused about the mixed messages I was receiving from various places about love and sexuality.

I always held onto the hope that someday I’d experience a special kind of love. After all, I was a romantic at heart!

To this day, I can recite nearly all the words, slightly butchered, of any Journey or Chicago love song. I love sad songs, happy songs, and songs that make me wanna dance! I love people, I love Nature, and I love LIFE! Even during my darkest moments, love is what keeps me going. When all else feels lost, love remains.

“The only thing I know is true is the power of LOVE.”

-Flossie Park, C-IAYT

I was a fighter. I fought for the people and the ideas I believed in. I fought with my siblings, and I fought with my friends. I had opinions and ideas, and I wanted to be heard. When someone told me I wasn’t good at something, I didn’t give up.

I kept trying. I never gave up on doing things I felt passionate about.

If I love someone or something enough, I’ll fight for it. It’s just who I am. This fight in me has carried me through cancer, the loss of my faith, the ending of my marriage, job loss, and ultimately an existential crisis.

As a young girl, I did what I wanted to do. I followed my heart. I loved hard, and I fought fiercely. My dreams became my reality.

Although I could not name this emotion back then, I lived with a deep sense of passion. This fire within my heart and soul is what inspires me to live with a sense of purpose. My passion inspires my creativity. It keeps me dreaming; it keeps me loving; and it keeps me fighting.

PASSION IS THE FIRE & EMOTION THAT LIVES WITHIN US ALL…

We are born with it! As we mature, we learn to channel it. We rediscover it over and over again as we journey through this life. As we let go of the need for plans and live with a sense of open-heartedness, the unexpected can show up in our lives.

Today, I feel grateful to have found love again and to be in a new kind of partnership. Dave loves me from the inside out. He loves all the parts of me. He holds space for all my moods and emotions. I love his passion and love for life. I feel completely free with him. I am experiencing the kind of love I dreamt about as a young girl. The dream never died.

A couple Sundays ago, Dave and I joined some dear friends for a Sunday afternoon of adventure in Sacramento. It was a beautiful day filled with synchronistic moments! We ate delicious food, met beautiful strangers, shared stories of love, and enjoyed the artistic murals of Midtown. We came upon a particular mural which really caught my eye. I was mesmerized with its beauty and what it symbolized to me.

This mural is so expressive. It depicts many emotions-fear, courage, strength, pain, purpose, and hope. To me, this beautiful piece of art represents a strong, passionate woman who seems to have a burning fire in her heart. I see a woman who is on her way to becoming free.

There is nothing more beautiful for me to witness a woman who is strong and free. A woman who is healing. A woman who knows how to stay in the fire. A strong woman who is not afraid to feel. A woman living life from a state of PASSION and PURPOSE. A woman on fire. A HUMAN on fire!

STAY IN THE FIRE

In a yoga practice, a teacher will often call the student to a difficult pose. The student is asked to breathe deeply and slowly. Awareness of the breath is what guides a student’s practice and allows them to stay in a pose. The teacher will ask the student to hold the pose.

“Stay in the fire”

-The Teacher Who’s Not Sweating 🤨

The Body is Water

Wheels keep on turnin’, turnin’

Svadhisthana Chakra

I recently finished a course in my Yoga Therapy program called Subtle Anatomy. This was a favorite course for me. I love studying the human body. It truly is miraculous. I especially loved learning about the more subtle aspects of the human body. There is a mysteriousness to the energy body.

We dove deep into the study of the chakras. Chakra means “wheel” in Sanskrit and refers to energy points in the body. There are seven chakras in the body. They are thought to be like whirling, spinning wheels or vortexes of energy and light. They correspond to bundles of nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body that affect our emotional and physical well-being. Connected through channels that flow up and down our spines, the chakras infuse vitality to every facet of our being. The practices and modalities of Yoga help us open and energize the individual chakras.

The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) is the second of the seven main chakras of the body. It is located below the navel in the pelvic area. The sacral chakra is associated with emotion, creativity, sensuality and the ability to experience pleasure. Its corresponding emotion is PASSION. Those who are well balanced in this chakra have harmony in their relationships.

The element associated with this chakra is water.

Yoga heals us from the inside out.

Take another moment to reflect. Do you feel numb, uninspired or stuck in any way? This happens to me too. Today, I’d like to share a few of my favorite “Yoga Snacks.” These simple ideas and tips can activate your sacral chakra.

1. Dance, like no one is watching. Any type of dance style that focuses on hip movements works. Put some good music on and just dance!
2. Open your hips. The hips are the most powerful joints of the body. Hip openers are a great way to release blocked energy. The hips don’t lie!
3. Connect with nature. Swim in the ocean, sit by the river, walk in the rain. Be like water.
4. Soak it all up. Take a warm bath with some epsom salt or essential oils. Indulge your senses.
5. Flowers are happiness. Walk to a flower shop or just around your neighborhood. Notice. Pick or purchase yourself some scented, colorful flowers!
6. Breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes. Quiet your mind. Write down words or images that come to you. Practices like the one at the beginning of this post are helpful and inspire creative thoughts. Let it flow out of you.
7. Take yourself out for a sweet treat. Savor every bite. Date yourself.
8. Make love. Take time to explore your sensuality with the one you love. Don’t rush it. Slow down. Feel what it feels like to be in your beautiful sensual body.
9. Go outside in the sunlight. Do a simple sun salutation. Be embodied with energy and light.
10. Create. Paint, draw, bake, etc. You choose. Let it be messy, and let it be fun. Unlock your creative potential within!

Finding the Fire Within

I recently had the opportunity to share my story. I share the raw and the real. When we share moments of our suffering and our joy, we feel connected with each other on a deeper level. I would be honored to have you watch or listen to this authentic and intimate conversation among friends.