Our pets are some of our greatest teachers. They effortlessly demonstrate how to be present. They show us how to listen to the body’s wisdom, play with abandon, delight in simple joys, rest without guilt – and that we should get treats on a regular basis! They embody unconditional love. And they remind us of life’s hardest truth: nothing lasts forever – everyone we love will someday die.  What is all of that, if not the teachings of yoga?

I’ve been considering this ubiquitous and trendy idea of “influencer” that has gained common parlance over the past 20 years. It’s one of those terms that didn’t exist when I was growing up, even though the concept of leveraging your fame to influence other people’s opinions, actions, and beliefs is far from new – social media has simply turned it into a frenzied cacophony.

Despite yesterday’s one-day heat wave in Seattle, fall is distinctly in the air – the shorter days, the quality of light, the fading flowers of my garden (except my rose bush which is having a second wind). In my neighborhood last week, I noticed the first leaves crunching under my feet, and the first acorns and maple tree “helicopters” on the ground.

Today, in this final newsletter of the series, I want to bring it closer to home: who I typically work with, what a session looks like, and why this work continues to inspire me every single day.

Today, I want to share what I think is one of the most valuable ways it can serve us – and one I think of as a real-life superpower: helping us navigate life’s unpredictability – otherwise known as change. Familiar with change? Familiar with the angst, upsets, surprises, and joys of that rollercoaster? I sure am. :)

In my previous newsletter, I shared what yoga therapy is. Today, I want to talk about what makes it different – and why it might feel so unique if you’ve experienced only group yoga classes or other kinds of holistic care. Yoga is often thought of as “exercise” from the American fitness-centric perspective. You’ve probably heard people say, “I’m not good at yoga – I’m not flexible!” or “I’m not in shape enough to do yoga.” To which I say, let’s talk.

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.
…