I’ve mentioned yoga therapy a lot — in classes, newsletters, and more than a few casual conversations — over the past few years. Since today is Global Yoga Therapy Day, it feels like an opportune time to kick off a short newsletter series by answering a fundamental question: What is yoga therapy, anyway?

Do you find it easier or harder to seek stillness during the expansive days of summer? I notice it can be more challenging to make the time, but when I do, I quickly drop inward with more freedom, like a small pebble into clear water, creating gentle ripples outward, outward, outward…

For me, this July started out feeling chaotic. Summer in the PNW takes off like a track and field starter pistol. Suddenly, ALL THE THINGS were happening. And, in my life, several endings and many changes were happening seemingly all at once. I was feeling unmoored.

So I took a digital day off… as in a FULL day off…

When the world breaks your heart, don’t dismiss or numb it. (Even though it’s tempting to do so.)

Instead: Notice.

Observe how it feels in your body. Take a softer breath and stay with it for awhile. For after all, the world is bittersweet. We do not get one half without the other.

Today, I reminded myself, and now I’m reminding you:
it’s ok to keep it simple.

The wild weather typical of Pacific Northwest springtime has begun. In the past week, we’ve had rain, thunder and lightning, hail, blustery winds, and glorious sunshine – sometimes all in the same day! I find it a little more challenging to stay grounded with all that atmospheric chaos happening around me. But the flowers are popping up everywhere, like a promise. And the birds sure are busy, aren’t they? Nature is a steadfast a teacher - of impermanence, of continuity, and of adaptation.

In late October/early November, my partner and I vacationed for two weeks in Oaxaca, Mexico, specifically to experience Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). The trip was an incredible visual and sensory experience that filled my soul cup. I fell in love with vibrant Oaxaca City. The art! The food! The people! The history! The culture! I am excited to return someday soon.

Just three simple things today:

1. a poem

2. a podcast

3. a reminder

Today is World Mental Health Day. It was first observed in 1992. I’m grateful that the conversation has gained visibility, respect, and foreground since I was a young teenager struggling with my own depression – when it was considered something to be ashamed of. So, it feels apropos that lately all the things going on all around us have felt cumulatively dismaying, and I notice a tension within my own mental health.

Many of you know that I took the summer off of teaching public group classes. While I still maintained teaching my private clients, I took Sunday evenings “off” for the first time since I began teaching over 11 years ago. While admittedly it was a little odd at first (like when you keep thinking you must be forgetting something), it was a fun exploration having two full days off in a row for 2+ months. I’ve heard some of you call this “a weekend”. 8-)

Here in Seattle, while today will be nearly 90˚, summer’s hold is slipping… the light has softened as the sun steadily draws itself back toward the south. We can all sense autumn’s whispers.

My summer spanned a broad human experience. I cherished playful and relaxed time with my family in the Midwest. I sat in awe (and getting soaked) during wild and epic thunder and lightning storms. I celebrated my half century mark! I observed the magic the spiders and the pollinators. I hiked among the tree gods and along rushing rivers. I listened to others share vulnerable and powerful things. I witnessed and held space for dear family and loved ones who experienced profound loss – multiple reminders that life and death are, in fact, eternally and always dance partners.

Have you ever unexpectedly come upon a red currant bush heavy with June’s bounty – its plump orbs glowing in the summer sun? It’s nothing short of hypnotic, and will stop you in your tracks.

Just another reason why slowing down can be so rewarding…

My cup runneth over. I feel blessed to have such bounty in my life. Daily, I am humbled and grateful to be doing the work that I do. I am nothing less than honored to be in my yoga therapy certification program alongside exceptional people who also love this work. I love making things happen in my world. I am loved and supported in so many ways.

Vast and changeless,
the ground of being
is not rocked by
ripples on the pond.
…

Happy Earth Day! When it comes to beauty, we need look no further than Nature itself. It inspires me every day – even in the middle of a metropolitan area. Please enjoy these few photos from my albums – and may we get outside and embrace this planet’s remarkable diversity, creativity, and beauty today and every day.

Some of you know that I have been increasingly vocal and open about my journey through perimenopause thus far. Half the world’s population has gone/will go through it, and with those odds, I guarantee you that someone in your life is going through the menopause transition right now! (Probably several someones!) And they might not be talking about it because it’s still considered taboo in many circles. But that is changing, and I’m proud to be part of that sea change.

Friends, near and far,

My wish for you this week is a precious pause where you might notice and admire the emergence of the small signs of springtime… the birdsong, the flowers, the tiniest of new leaves, tender blades of grass, the longer hours of daylight, and so on. What do you notice?

Wherever you are, may you find some delight, joy, and play in these early days of spring.

Spring is springing in Seattle. So much so that I couldn’t choose just one photo for you today! And, with the change of season, comes two announcements for changes to my group class teaching schedule.

During this late winter stretch of gray, cold, and very wet that is so stereotypically PNW, I have to double down on my winter “medicines”… yoga, regular gym workouts, lots of soup, vitamin D, my happy light, friend time, fur-baby snuggles, consistent bedtime, and generally doing less.

We’ve had a couple days that whispered of spring, but it’s not here quite yet. It is quite lovely that the happy hellebore and daffodils are up, and the earliest cherry blossoms have begun to appear.

Thanks to my SF teacher-friend, Brenna, I recently discovered the Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam…

My favorite partner in rest, Claudette Evans, and I are teaming up again to offer our Level 1 Restorative Yoga Teacher Training this weekend at 8 Limbs. Whether you are yoga teacher, a mental health counselor who wants to add Restorative to your practice, a student who wants to nerd out about Restorative yoga, or something else wonderful – this training is nourishing, educational, relaxing, and fun!