The New Year is up on us, and so many people begin the year thinking about their body. Their health. Setting fitness goals. The classic 'resolutions' to do things differently and be 'better'. In my yoga classes yesterday here in Irvine, CA I had a full house both slots - bigger classes than I've experienced in months and I spoke candidly about how I hoped I'd continue to see them all month - and al year. That these practices steep into our cells and minds over time, creating a new way of being in the world when we commit to the process and practice diligently. We all have different reasons why we start paying attention to our body and our health, and generally these are the kinds of things clients first express when I do their first session: "I want to feel better" "I know I … [Read more...]
Let’s talk about privilege. Yes, again.
I talk and think a lot about embodiment and embodied living. It's also my business, my livelihood. Sometimes this implies my privilege - that we 'get to' enhance our physical and mental emotional health, have all our needs (and dreams) met, explore philosophy and daily practices, and celebrate through the freedom of our voices and movement. We use movement practices to remember how to be who we are. There's been plenty of talk about privilege in our US news and culture over the past few years, and I hope it continues. At least, I hope that I can use mine for the greater good. At the root of all other forms of 'higher' embodiment is safety. Our right to be here. To have our basic needs met. Many people have been made to feel unsafe through comments, assault, violence, … [Read more...]
It Ain’t All Roses: Practice Insights
It ain't all roses all the time, is it? In writing copy for my new website in the fall of 2015, I decided to share a brief glimpse of my 'dark ages'. My long term clients knew me then, some of them aware of the circumstances and others oblivious - only realizing when my name changed a year later when the divorce was final. Many of them didn't know I was pregnant, and somehow I worked through the fabulous first trimester all-day-sickness and found hope. It was a hell of a year losing a pregnancy I wanted, regretted, prayed over, learned to love again and then lost. All while separated from the relationship that made it came to be. Wanting to understand. Wanting him. Not wanting him. Hating him, and yes, forgiving him. Teaching my clients gave me a reason to get out of bed. To … [Read more...]
Breathing – Becoming – Embodied
"Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all fecundity and vibrancy of the earth. Finally, blend the breath of heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming the Breath of Life itself." - Morihei Ueshiba When I contemplate breathing and eating and intimacy it's a conversation between beings, a communion of self with the external world, bringing parts of our environment and nourishment and lover into ourselves and a part of us being released back out into the atmosphere as we exhale, eliminate, separate from other and reconnect with Self. Reuniting. … [Read more...]
Unitasking: A New Approach to Productivity
"My coffee is cold again." "I burned dinner!" "I don't remember the drive home, I somehow just got here." "When I'm at a stoplight it's ok to text or email. I'm just sitting here stalled in traffic, right?" "I have 10 browsers open on my computer and can't seem to focus..." Let's all agree to wake up from the misperception that being productive means doing more, and doing everything all at once. It doesn't work. We know this, and some of us can even feel the stress in our bodies, yet somehow we have become addicted to the frantic, scattered, immediate gratification mindset of our modern society. Slow down. Your Focus needs Focus. Instead of multi-tasking, I talk with my clients and students about unitasking. Do. One. Thing. Well. Start to finish. Satisfied? … [Read more...]
6 Lessons I’ve Learned in 2016: Part 2
To read Part One, go here. Lesson #4: We're Divinely Made for Connection During my Dissection Course with Gil Hedley last month (yes, I'm talking about cadavers), I intimately saw, touched, and explored the layers and systems that make up our human form, at least in the physical sense after passing. Everything is connected. Perhaps this feels cliche and we've heard it before - but I invite you now, in this moment to consider its truth. When I approached the 3 gurneys that first morning, each with a donor body covered by sheets of gauze, alongside my new community of 20 students and teachers - I hesitated. My senses became overwhelmed, but my spirit felt so completely still. I knew once we intervened, this form would never be the same. We were about to separate that … [Read more...]
Love Your Sadness {Danielle LaPorte}
I sent a written work from one of my favorite women, Danielle LaPorte, to a friend and client the other day. They've been grieving the loss of a family member and also experiencing some pretty intense nerve pain from their cervical spine's current state. Connected? Possibly. They did get checked out medically and have been addressing the physical realm with some exercises and stretches. Either way - grieving and sadness have a place. They need a safe harbor to tuck into until they're ready to venture out to sea again, and I believe that safe harbor is our consciousness, which inevitably includes our body. Emotions are felt in this body of ours, and can be loved, processed and healed over time with embodied practices. My client responded with "THANK YOU! That was amazing. … [Read more...]
6 Lessons I’ve learned in 2016: Part One
Last week I found myself questioning my direction and progress, feeling the weight of my own ambitions and desires. I felt stunned and a bit stuck after having a business call that went in a completely unexpected direction - which prompted strong reflection for me. Discomfort and emotions can bring great gifts. And - how is it the Summer Solstice already? Putting together this review gave me a grounded way to identify the lessons I want to fully acknowledge - to integrate them into my current identity. It uplifts me to reflect on progress. To find the evidence in the present. It reinforces positive change. This is a tool I teach my private clients, and today - it's my turn. This month, Jason and I celebrate One Year Living In California. I miss Wisconsin, but I do have the … [Read more...]