It was just me and Bella alone all day Monday. Josh and Ellessia were away. After we both finished our morning work, I asked her: "What do you want to do today?"

I was only thinking about dinner. Did she want me to pick up takeout? Or make something at home?

"Well," she pondered. "We could visit the Lady Slippers."

Yoni Mudra and the Divine Feminine

Mudras are simple hand gestures used in yoga and meditation. Mudras guide and direct energy in the body and the mind. We use them in each yoga class as we open, center, and set our intention for the day.

A thoughtful and meditative way to honor the Divine Feminine is to practice Yoni Mudra.

This week, I am inspired by a recent post by poet Andrea Gibson, where they shared a long list of things they love. The world is, indeed, feeling very heavy and uncertain. It is absolutely essential to remind yourself why you love it all, too.

One of the most inspiring yoga teachers I've worked with always shared poems by Mary Oliver and John O'Donohue in her classes. She picked beautiful poems that reflected what we were working on in our yoga practice, and they wandered in my mind for days after.

​“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.”~Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras, 1:33

There are many, many translations and differing interpretations of that line…

Congratulations to the 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training of 2024!

Photo by Andrey K

A combination of brutal and beautiful.

photo by Wilfried Sanfer

Some leafy poems and quotes to share…

Satsang means being in the company of truth. One of the most important aspects of your practice is being in a community with like-minded people.

I recently picked up the book You Are The Universe: Ram Dass Maps The Journey, arranged and illustrated by Amy Buetens and Julie Weinstein. It is a compilation of teachings of self-discovery, sourced from recordings and writings by the spiritual teacher, Ram Dass.

Photo by Robert Ruggerio, via Unsplash

It's that quiet time of summer when the birds are not singing so much. The air is heavy with moisture, and everyone is trying to squeeze in the last few vacations and beach trips.

We were interviewed by the Vermont Standard about our recent Kirtan event in Woodstock. I thought you might enjoy reading our responses to the reporter's questions.

• What is Kirtan music and why is audience participation an important part of it?

When my family boarded our return home flight from Italy last summer, my husband looked at me and said “if they serve us eggplant on this flight, I am going to be sick.”

I am often asked what my yoga practice looks like. So here is a sneak peek at what I practice every single day.

The significance of Abhyasa and Vairagya in a yoga practice.

photo by Laura Olsen

image by Chelsea Shapouri

The significance of 108 repetitions in Japa Mantra practice.

I enjoy foraging and wild harvesting. I am always on the lookout for wild greens, berries, herbs, and wild mushrooms. This vegan Nettle Soup is easy to make and tasty too!

The United States is no longer one of the top 20 happiest countries in the world.

I didn't realize we were ever in the top 20.

Life is raw and tender.

Upholding our practices and staying connected to ourselves and to solid teachings seems increasingly important.

Do you struggle with making big decisions?

Do you find yourself caught up in thoughts like "Is this the right choice? What if I mess up? What if it isn't successful?"

And in that struggle, do you end up making no choice at all?

image by emma gossett via unsplash

Last week I wrote about finding one’s center. This week, let’s look at what it means to be rooted.

What does being rooted mean to me?

It means feeling at ease with myself, my body, my thoughts, and with my life direction. It's a feeling that…