yoga, it's a lifestyle
Happy Anniversary to me!!! This spring marks TEN YEARS without eating meat! That includes seafood as well. And I celebrate my choice every single day, and really, every meal. People ask if it was hard, where do I get my protein, if I miss meat, and why I gave it up. To answer those loaded... Continue Reading →
Back in high school, I struggled to find confidence and acceptance for myself and turned to eating disorders. I worked out far too much and even did yoga, but I did not understand much about the ancient practice. Feeling inadequate for 8 years, I battled bulimia on and off. I was never neglected or abused... Continue Reading →
Being a stay-at-home mom is no easy job. Unless you're a mother, it's hard to comprehend how much of your day is jam packed with preparations, chores, and busyness while staying with the kiddos. My infant boy has never been an "easy-going" child. He is pitta, full of fire and motion. He has lots of... Continue Reading →
Our society, very unfortunately, puts a lot of pressure and focus on outer appearances. We are told by companies and advertisements to lose weight, change our hair, buy these pants, use this makeup, and on and on and on. Basically, we are told we are not enough. It is untrue, and frankly, exhausting. We are... Continue Reading →
I say it regularly, and I'll say it again: I prefer to set intentions instead of goals or resolutions. Intentions come from a place of compassion and positivity, igniting hope for change. Resolutions can stem from a place of judgment or the thought that we are not complete as we are. So my intentions are... Continue Reading →
With a few days left of the year, I have mindfully decided to step back from social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook. While I enjoy being in touch with friends, finding yoga inspiration, and communication, I need a break. Some days, I'll scroll endlessly. Sometimes I'll get pissed at the amount of judgement, consumerism, and... Continue Reading →
As someone who identifies with Christianity, I have become increasingly triggered as of lately. There are everyday people, public figures, leaders in the community and country, and all over social media who claim to be Christian, but are forgetting what the whole religion is based upon. This religion, and the associated beliefs, is centered around... Continue Reading →
This morning's class was Kapha. Grounding, acknowledging feelings, and preparing for the upcoming full moon. 🌕 Lately I've been irritable, not towards my baby, but towards everyone else. I've gotten lost in my emotions and annoyed with how I've been mistreated. Then, this morning, I made the connection to LET IT GO. I realized I... Continue Reading →
I cannot believe my baby is half a year old! He seems so big, and has grown so much... but he's still a baby. Thank God! Babies are my favorite; infant age is my favorite phase but it has been much harder with my own child. I never expected being a mother would be simple,... Continue Reading →
For my entire life I have always said I will be the one to stay at home with my children, raising them. Fortunately, my husband works hard enough that I am privileged to do so. For the 28 years of life before baby, I idealized this dream. I could see my babies and me cuddled... Continue Reading →
It is crazy how our baby fights sleep. At night, naps during the day, just sleep in general. He does not want to miss a thing and wants to talk and play and be awake all the time. Obviously, we are exhausted. He is overtired too, but will never admit it. Just when I think... Continue Reading →
Hey there! I know I have not been posting regularly (due to that mom life), but if this blog is helping me work through feelings and share my experiences, it has to be a priority. To see where I am, it's interesting to go back through older posts to see where I've been. I... Continue Reading →
There are days in all our lives when we feel run down, spread too thin, lost, without purpose, or just tired. I become tired often, so often it is as though I live in a perpetual state of tiredness. During these times or days or maybe weeks, it is common to question personal decisions. I... Continue Reading →
My word. Traveling is difficult enough with a baby who does not enjoy car rides, but a weeklong beach vacation is not really what I would call relaxation. There were a few moments of sweet napping, smiling at family, and watching the waves, but there might have been more whining, confusion, and exhaustion (for the... Continue Reading →
Some people are weird about breastfeeding, especially in public. I believe I was even raised to think the same thing, it should be in private. Did you know it is much more accepted in Europe and Africa? Most people don't give it a second thought if they spot you nursing your child on a park... Continue Reading →
The Importance of Positive Self Talk. How you talk to yourself and about yourself affects how you act and speak around others. Are you loving towards yourself or do you have a tendency to get down and harsh when you stumble? Do you give yourself room to breathe and compassion or immediately turn to self-pity? ... Continue Reading →
Being a mother is never easy. Even when days, or more likely moments of the day, run smoothly, there is always a chance of that changing. Here are a few truths I have learned with my three- month old boy: The Good Lucca naps lying on my chest, and I have just gotten used... Continue Reading →
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 →
It has taken me quite a while to write this story. Nothing went as I planned (even though I was open-minded), and I think I have been feeling slightly guilty and embarrassed since I gave birth. Lucca arrived perfectly, and all is well now. But I am still not content in how it all happened,... Continue Reading →
We all question ourselves and our abilities. Am I doing a good job? Am I doing this wrong? What can I do better? Am I the problem? The first night home from the hospital, I was a mess. Mainly due to the fact I slept 2-3 hours a day for our 3 day stay... Continue Reading →
Ever since I became pregnant, I have been more irritable than I have ever known. Things people say get under my skin, things I see on the Internet piss me off, and lots of little things drive me crazy to my core. This is where my human nature comes out. I lose all my yogi... Continue Reading →
A few nights ago: Sitting quietly, watching The Office (what else), enjoying a beer, and being so thankful. We have gotten into a routine, and I think it helps baby bear. Each night at 8:30, Lucca gets a bath or showers with me, pajamas, big bottle of breastmilk from Papa, snuggles, and falls asleep on... Continue Reading →
Ther other day I listened to a webinar that really resonated with me. One of the topics was body positivity versus acceptance and reality. What one of the women said spoke directly to me. Here is what I took from the conversation... We don't have to LOVE our flaws, we just have to find PEACE... Continue Reading →
Dearest Lucca, You coming into our lives has been a gift. You try my patience as you teach me infinite love. You worry me with your crying while you warm my heart with snuggles. You have stolen sleep from my nights, but I get to watch you sleep and make precious breathing sounds. You... Continue Reading →
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 →
Help! Not just anybody. It is SO hard for me to ask for help. One of my go-to themes in my personal yoga practice and classes is surrender. To let go. It is exactly what I need to work on now and is becoming increasingly more difficult. Having control makes me feel organized, put together. ... Continue Reading →
It has been a day. Prepare for some candid, colorful language... Holy shit, motherhood is hard. My sweet baby and I drove to Springville (about 30 minutes away) and back this morning. He cried loudly at least 85% of the drives. Today was one of those days he hated the car. I have listened to... Continue Reading →
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 →
With a 2 month old, a working husband, a puppy, two kitties, yoga classes to teach, and a house to take care of, life tends to become a little hectic. Days might run together and I can feel as though nothing has been accomplished. What is important to remember: if the baby is well fed,... Continue Reading →
I have been HIGHLY frustrated recently. Being a new mom is no joke. I am aware of my insanity, but I cannot seem to let it go... I think the mama bear in me is roaring. I am tired. Tired of people hovering over MY baby. Tired of people calling my baby their baby. ... Continue Reading →
On any given day, I will have breastmilk spilled on me. And a boob out. Maybe both. Sometimes I forget... I may also forget I have to pee because I can't set him down. Or I put him in a wrap, and we go together. There isn't much time to answer texts or have a... Continue Reading →
Our baby is one month old. A lot of people say they cannot remember the time before the baby was born, but I definitely do. I remember sleeping a lot during my pregnancy, because I thought I was tired then. Now, I am consumed with everything baby. And I honestly, truly wouldn't have it any... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Welcome to the THIRD and final trimester! We settled on our OB/GYN, a really kind and supportive woman in the city. Originally I wanted a midwife and doula, but there are not any in are immediate area, the closest being at least 45 minutes away. And there are no birthing centers either. We went to... Continue Reading →
My little baby bear, I promise to let you dream. Big, wild, magical dreams. I vow to protect you, but let you think and grow on your own. I will always hug you and tell you how much I love you. I vow to teach you about compassion, tolerance, ahimsa, and enjoying the simple things... Continue Reading →
I have recently made the mistake of asking some questions or for advice for my baby on social media. While most people are kind and helpful, there are a few that have no place in giving their opinions. Men (no uterus, no opinion about pregnancy or breastfeeding). Women that have never experienced pregnancy, have no... Continue Reading →
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 →
Is planning a wedding or preparing for a baby more stressful? Both occasions, although celebrating love and life, are very different. My experiences with both were/are a little of a roller coaster. First off, wedding planning was MUCH more stressful. Second off, it was pretty worth it! I know preparing for a baby will... Continue Reading →
Pregnancy has really humbled me. I feel like I say and think this all the time. Every day, and every week, there is something new going on. As much as I have enjoyed pregnancy and want to be pregnant forever, I know that feeling is fleeting. At 25 weeks, Baby Bear was growing right... Continue Reading →
Literally, dreaming! In the past, I have had dreams about being pregnant, when I was younger and was not ready. But since I have been pregnant (24 weeks now/6 months), and more so recently, I have had dreams about the baby. For now, in the majority of my dreams the baby is a girl. I... Continue Reading →
Men and women are significantly different, and that is what makes the world go around. However, there are some things women will never know about men, and many things men will never understand about women and their bodies. Through my pregnancy, I have experienced more emotions than I have since my eating disorder episodes or... Continue Reading →
"Letting go" has become a theme in my life the past few years. Whether it is getting rid of old emotions, toxic relationships, harmful habits, stress, or negativity, I have been faced with the realization to surrender. Every week, I offer this as an intention to my yoga students. There are so many things in... Continue Reading →
Yoga with Sarie 