Dear friends and students, I grew up in a refined suburb of Pittsburgh: Upper St. Clair. I spent Sundays at church followed by the Country Club, surrounded by my sisters, grandparents, and oh-so-many cousins. In many ways, it was an idyllic childhood. But the thing is: I never quite… Read More »Do you feel like you fit in?
Modern day self-helpers – of which I consider myself one – face a difficult Catch 22. On the one hand, we tell people happiness is an inside job, not at all dependent on circumstances or possessions. On the other, we tell people they’ll be happier if… Read More »Happiness is an Outside Job
We hear the line repeatedly in modern, Western yoga classes, “Let it feel good. Let it feel juicy. Let it feel yummy. Doesn’t this feel blissful?” I’ll start with a simple promise: You’ll never hear me say juicy or yummy in a yoga class. Similarly,… Read More »When yoga doesn’t ‘feel good’
We hear it: “Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.” And we all laugh. It’s on coffee mugs, it’s in self-help books, it bookends yoga classes. This notion that ”letting go” means releasing negativity and holding on to love and light is at best silly and… Read More »Let go
My dear friend and neighbor gifted me this rock from her travels to healing places of the country. I knew I wanted to use it in our studio design, and the inspiration struck one day after a long afternoon of physical labor. I would write… Read More »Abandon Perfection
Last month, we talked about getting started and trying something new. Welcome to yoga; it’s the best! Yoga will bolster your circulation, improve your joint health, regulate your blood pressure, build your bone density, increase your flexibility, and help you sleep. But none of it matters… Read More »The 1 Key to Health
I am what my husband refers to as an “Appalachian woman;” it’s true, I sold my F-150 pickup truck in order to move to California. After seeing them everywhere, I now drive a Prius. The same thing with my yoga mat. When I first landed… Read More »My first time? Okay, I’ll tell
I had the same soccer coach from the time I was 5 through my departure for college. He was a child psychologist, and looking back I can only imagine what he thought of me. Of the many impressions he made on me, one that stuck… Read More »Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.
Last month, I wrote about abandoning perfection. That statement likely came to you like a breath of fresh air. This month, I’m writing about abandoning hope. That statement likely brings up a different reaction. You may feel immediately angry, confused, panicked, or contentious. It’s true,… Read More »Abandon Hope
My dear friend and neighbor gifted me this rock from her travels to healing places of the country. I knew I wanted to use it in our studio design, and the inspiration struck one day after a long afternoon of physical labor. I would write… Read More »Abandon Perfection for Something Better