I have been on numerous diets and will never go on one again. Let me tell you why. As someone who struggled in the past with insecurities and poor body-image, my heart hurts when I hear of people going on "diets." Food and the thought of food controlled me years ago. I'm not talking about... Continue Reading →
Flashback through Pregnancy
I shared a lot of my pregnancy journey through blog entries and on my Instagram page, but here are a few photos to highlight the time while baby bear was in my belly! It all goes by so fast; life is fleeting . . .
Postpartum Yoga + Life
Nothing could prepare me for motherhood or a postpartum yoga practice. People warned me, but motherhood is something no one really understands until it's experienced on a personal level (like many life phases). I was told numerous times how hard, wonderful, and tiring having a baby would be. I was prepared as much as possible... Continue Reading →
For my [future] daughter:
I saw this cycling around Facebook a while ago and wanted to save and share it. Whenever we do have a girl, this will be helpful. *Also, I do not know who originated this, but if you do, please let me know so I can credit them! Rules For My Daughter: 1. Make your bed... Continue Reading →
Yogi diaries 6
Postpartum Finding time to practice yoga with a 2 month old baby is hard enough. Add in the facts that there are VERY few options in a small town, and I am not willing to leave my baby with anyone other than my husband, yet... There's very little asana these days. Yoga also looks... Continue Reading →
Pregnant is Beautiful
It seems our society cares so much about artificial beauty, and it becomes difficult to see the beauty within ourselves because of the outward influences. But pregnancy has made me feel beautiful. Really beautiful. After years and years of distorted body image and eating disorders, I never really felt worthy of positive attention or comfortable... Continue Reading →
33-40 weeks pregnant
First of all, HAPPY DUE DATE TO BABY BEAR!!!!!!!!! Even though I have been blogging about my pregnancy for 4 weeks at a time, these last many weeks will be clumped into one post. Many pregnant women say the second trimester is the most enjoyable, the first being difficult because of morning sickness and the... Continue Reading →
Birth Plan
Experts now recommend that pregnant mothers and their birthing coach make up a "birth plan" and let their team know. The purpose is to make the mother and her supporters feel more comfortable about labor and delivery and have a little guide of what to expect. And so. I will begin to create my birth... Continue Reading →
Yogi Diaries 5
Coming back to Yoga and Accepting YOUR journey... This week, I had a new woman come to my yoga class. She was very kind and happy to be there, able to practice. However, as soon as I walked in, she started talking about her body in a negative way and complaining of her physical capabilities. ... Continue Reading →
4 weeks (7.25.17)
THERE IS A BABY IN MY BELLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I was pregnant; I didn't feel different or anything, but I kept having these real thoughts. Monday after I taught class, I went by the store to pick up a pregnancy test. On the phone with my best friend, we talked about our current ongoings. I... Continue Reading →
Pushing people away to hold on to Addiction
It has taken me a very long time to get to this point, many years in fact. You have heard me talk about my struggles with eating disorders on and off for 8 years. This is not a subject that I ever saw myself discussing, or being freed from. But here I am, the healthiest... Continue Reading →
Mindful Walk
I lead a "mindful walk" weekly at the YMCA as part of my yoga teachings. This 30 minute to an hour walk has become one of my favorite times of the week. I learn so much about the community, how much the mind drifts away, and something new every single week. It's enlightening! What is... Continue Reading →
“I am worthy”
"I am beautiful. I am loved. I am worthy. I am enough." It can take a lifetime to realize our self-worth and beauty, but these qualities have been with us since conception. Each of us has been made in God's image; we are a thoughtful masterpiece meant to be loved and share love. Society... Continue Reading →
More Than Asana
Ever since I started practicing yoga, I was very aware of this ancient practice being more than just a physical practice. I have seen firsthand in many of my students, and in myself, how we hold emotional hardships and Trauma in our body. Our body and the ability to move is directly affected from our... Continue Reading →
Pre-Pre-Pregancy Reading
Reading is one of my favorite hobbies! Since we have moved and still have much work left to do on our new home, I have not had much time to devote to diving into a story. My father-in-law bought a Sea-Doo the other day, and we have been out on the river playing as much... Continue Reading →
I’m on a mission to truly love my body.
I'm going to be quite honest. This is something that I still struggle with, literally on a daily basis. I feel like I keep getting bigger; some days I am okay with it because I can see the muscle and feel my strength. And some days I hate how soft and full my body is.... Continue Reading →
11 Simple Things I Would Tell My Younger Self
Regret is not something I claim. There are mistakes in my life, but I believe they all have taught me lessons. Sometimes the lesson is simply "don't do that again," or maybe the explanation is much deeper. Whatever the mistakes, everything has brought me right here, where I am meant to be. If I were... Continue Reading →
One night..
When I was a freshman in college, I had an experience with sexual assault. I never thought I would be sharing this, for various reasons. I think one of the main reasons I couldn't see myself sharing this trauma is because I couldn't admit it happened. I was not raped, beaten, bleeding, or severely injured.... Continue Reading →
WHY ‘HEALING Yoga: Volume 1’
Why did I write and publish the electronic book, "Healing Yoga: Volume 1"? Why is this guide for YOU? How does one stay committed to the healing process? There are so many yoga guides, books, teachers, and resources out there! With all this information, it is important that we search for the truth. Why do... Continue Reading →
Yoga Practice 7
Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward-facing dog is one of the most popular poses you'll see in class and for many great reasons! It is considered an "inversion" because the head is lower than the heart and therefore raises the heart rate. You stretch the hamstrings, the back, and even the ankles! To enter Downward Dog: Begin... Continue Reading →
Yoga Practice 6
Paschimottanasana or Seated forward fold. This is one of my favorite GO-TO poses! This bend stretches the hamstrings, helps calm the mind, and decreases depression. Begin in Dandasana (Practice 3). Keep the naval pulling into the spine and the legs flexed and engaged. Toes point to the sky. Inhale and push the tailbone back, away... Continue Reading →
Yoga Practice 4
Tadasana -- Mountain Pose Tadasana or Mountain pose is the foundation pose for all of the other yoga postures. Begin by standing, feet under the hip bones, or big toes slightly touching, with the toes pointed straight forward. Send the weight of the body to the balls and the heels of the feet. Think about lengthening... Continue Reading →
Yoga PRACTICE 3
Today's pose: Dandasana (staff pose) Begin in a seated position. Extend both legs out straight from the hip bones. Flex the feet and keep the legs activated. Sit tall, reaching the vertebrae up from the tailbone, up the spine, all the way to the crown of the head. Relax the shoulders. Align the ears on... Continue Reading →