Summer reading

Here’s my summer reading so far. It’s obviously not Oprah’s Book Club.

I need something new to read. Any suggestions?

Scoliosis Awareness Month

June is scoliosis awareness month, and even though I'm aware of scoliosis every single day, I'd appreciate everyone taking a minute to learn something about scoliosis.

This infographic doesn't address adult scoliosis, which is caused by disc degeneration, so I wouldn't ignore this issue even if you never had scoliosis during adolescence.

Some studies show that a scoliotic curve may progress at a rate of 1 degree a year for the remainder of a person's life, which means that a minor adolescent curve may not be minor anymore by midlife and later.

Evolve or…

Evolve or Repeat?

There's a lot in those three words. Thought or movement patterns need to evolve over time, so let's release what's no longer needed.

New book on scoliosis

I just received my new book tonight, and can’t wait to read it.

I love supporting fellow scoliosis teachers, and learning from their insights.

Even though I have scoliosis, I also have a spinal fusion, so my embodiment is different from an unfused spine.

We can always learn from each other.

Mindfulness for kids

I’m looking forward to using this book for the last four week of kid yoga classes.

Lucky Dash gets to enjoy this book all summer long!

Here’s to creating your own summer reading list!

Step back

Our yoga practice gives us a chance to take a step back. A step back from the whirlwind of life, and a step inward to check in with ourselves. If we never take these moments in life to reflect on how we live, how do we know what we truly need?

Maybe in a moment of chaos you need to step back and water your flowers. True story.

Invest in yourself

How do you invest in yourself?

This may mean different things to each of us, such as: What do you do to fill your cup? What sparks your interest, joy, curiosity in life? How are you sustaining yourself for the long-term, instead of just getting through the day/week/month?

At this time two years ago, I was completely overwhelmed with starting homeschooling. For a while, I questioned myself about even teaching one yoga class. I thought that teaching one class was taking away from my most important priority at the moment, which was the health and education of our son. Then it clicked that I couldn't just forget about myself, my interests, my life, and my passions.

I transitioned from a place of fear to trust. Eventually I started teaching another class for adults, then a couple classes for kids (never expected to see myself doing this!), as well as teaching a few private clients. I feel busy, but happy.

It's easy to get consumed in the moment, and feel like there's not enough time for yourself. What I learned to do was to prioritize what is most important for our son, our family, and myself. This requires constant re-evaluation. I've found more room on my plate for what's truly a good investment. I love yoga and sharinging its benefits, and I'm constantly educating myself through books, courses, and workshops. I squeeze it in when I can.

Our personal investment includes our relationships, our community, our health, our mind.... we really have endless ways to invest in ourselves.

What comes up for you?

Happy birthday to me!

Am I at the age where I'm checking the math because I can't believe my age? Yes.

Am I proud of how I feel in my body, which a number can't dictate. Yes.

That's what counts.

My yoga practice has changed from when I started in my late teens, to my 20's, to my 30's, and currency in my 40's, and that's a beautiful thing. Yoga has so much to explore, and by honoring my body, I will be practicing till my very old and wise days. Yoga is key to healthy aging.

Jellyfish

I love watching jellyfish move through water. Their movements look so graceful, light, and effortless.

Our primary breathing muscle, the diaphragm, has a similar movement to the jellyfish. Practicing our breathing like a jellyfish can help us feel a 360 degree expansion with the breath.

High heels

I wore these high heels about 12 years ago to a wedding, and have not worn them since. So why have I lugged them around when I've moved, or let them take up space in my closet? I did a little clearing out yesterday, and these are going bye-bye.

The price of wearing high heels is not worth the physical aftermath. Now that I understand more about posture, loading our joints appropriately, and foot health, I can't wear something that will lead to back pain. The back pain is the most obvious, but the result of wearing heels can also present in foot, knee, or pelvic pain.

If you care about your posture, put your weight in your heels, and you can't do that when they are raised.

Do you know your pelvis?

Do you know where your pelvis is? How does it move?

The habitual position of our pelvis can affect the body in many ways, such as posture, stability, and weight distribution. If you'd like to be reacquainted with your pelvis, the yoga mat is a great place to start!

Not sure what to do today?

Welcome to Spring!

I love seeing all the enthusiasm in spring to get outdoors, garden, walk, bike... whatever motivates you to get fresh air. With these new physical demands, it's a great time to focus on our breathing patterns, and create the necessary expansion in the chest and ribcage.

Posture

Silent retreat

Have you ever been on a silent retreat?

I haven't, but figured out a way to experience one for free.

Well, kind of. I have laryngitis. Late Thursday night I decided to stop straining my voice, and quit speaking for a long weekend.

Everyone else is speaking, so there is some frustration with being the only one not speaking. However, I've realized how releasing those constant urges to speak is rather calming.

I'm very aware of how to take care of my back, so giving my voice this needed break is quite a different shift. I sure have a new appreciation for my vocal cords.

Yoga on any budget

I took my first yoga class at a woman's only gym around 1997. I remember feeling stiff, and did not find it easy, but felt comfortable trying it. For the following years, my only "teacher" was a set of Rodney Yee VHS tapes.

In the early 2000s I'd take sporadic yoga classes around the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, and all three classes I'd take were taught by men in their 40's or 50's. Looking back, I wonder how that shaped my idea about how yoga should be or look like.

In 2003 I went to Honduras for two years in the Peace Corps. I brought this BKS Iyengar book with me, which was my new teacher. I guess I brought a mat with me, but definitely didn't have any yoga props or leggings. I usually practiced upon waking, so I'm sure I practiced in my pajamas. During this time I asked my parents to send me Yoga Journal magazine, and I'd read that cover to cover, including the back part that listed all the studio names in NYC.

When I moved to NYC in 2005, I was so excited to go to these studios that I had read about in magazines. I couldn't afford classes, so initially took community classes at Cindi Lee's OM Yoga, and also earned a couple classes per week by working in their work exchange program.

I share all this because I wanted to show that anyone, anywhere, and with any budget can practice yoga. I imagine the online options are overwhelming nowadays, but there's really something out there for everyone. You can choose whether you want a practice that's focused on physical poses, breathing, relaxation, or meditation.

What you learn will last a lifetime, and hopefully be practiced that lifetime.

Yoga is a mirror

Show yourself love

How do you show yourself love?

How often are you able to be present with yourself?

When we're not able to slow down enough to listen, we may not even know what we truly need? Let's practice this together...

Inner dialogue

We all have this inner dialogue telling us what we think we should do, yet simultaneously making excuses. A great way to overcome this is to practice in community. We've all experienced more yoga from home the past couple of years, and it just doesn't compare to practicing with others.

Being in an open studio space is lovely, but may not be feasible. I mainly practice at home, and still enjoy taking an online meditation, asana, or restorative class, because a live, online class still provides this energy of community.

Screen printing with friends

Here’s two of my creations from screen printing with friends last night. Creating feels very therapeutic, especially in good company.