Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. ~Thomas Merton This week: intro to nervous system regulation, and an invitation to Finding Balance donation retreat. 🌹 Your nervous system is the gatekeeper of your bodymind state. It’s responsible for everything from your heartbeat to digestion, your sense of pain, your mood, and giving the 'ok' for change- like healing. Learning how to regulate your nervous system is key to accessing a sense of groundedness,...
7 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, In May we'll be exploring patterns of movement that support body + brain functioning and integration. Today we explored crossing patterns (also: contralateral), how they coordinate the core, the limbs, balance, our brain hemispheres and more. Some interesting reading on how crossing patterns help your brain HERE & HERE. Crawling is one of our favorite crossbody patterns. Your recording link to revisit and enjoy today's practice: Here's the YouTube private link for 2 May 2024 -...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I just finished one of the most in-depth blogs so far. Loving writing, I hope you appreciate it as much as the passion I put into it. Here's a brief excerpt, though I hope you read the whole piece. According to Medium it's an 8-minute read that's full of inspiration and information in service of living well inside and out, personal and beyond. Here's an excerpt: What does alignment truly mean? How do we know when we are there… or when we’re missing the mark? Conceptually, alignment...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, First a new blog piece that I'm very excited about:) leading to our upcoming Elements, Intro to Ayurveda & Origins of the Chakras weekend workshop, and join us for ALIGN: Evolutions in Embodied Practice! Excerpt from Chakras, Elements and Embodiment ~ new blog on Medium When I was a teenager, I was enraptured by earth-based spirituality in many forms, primarily relating to the elements. For years it was a core thread of my identity, connecting to the more-than-human world by...
about 1 year ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, First an invitation to an incredibly valuable free summit, then a morning movement & meditation practice for all, and invitations to dive deeper in study of the bodymind and yoga philosophy. 🌹 Part of the power of mindful embodied practice is in how it can be a tool to unwind and heal trauma, a topic I'm thrilled to share as a featured practice guide in the *Free* Power of Meditation Summit, hosted by therapist and Dharma teacher Kelly Blaser. The theme of this year's Power of...
about 1 year ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Happy 2024 - may this be the year we open our hearts & free our bodies like never before. Started 2024 with this view from the top! Mt. Tamalpais peak, 2,571 feet, Jan 1, 2024. Thank you for all the great feedback on the latest blog on Movement and Mental Health. It's a topic that's so valuable for the times we're living in, and one where current research is on pace to radically transform the way we think about functional fitness & mindful embodiment overall. I hope it inspires you...
about 1 year ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, I hope you're having a sweet holiday time, in whatever way you celebrate. In honor of Nature's pause and reflection time, instead of two regular Sunday newsletters (on holiday weekends no less), this is my last love note of 2023. First a new blog on Movement and Mental Health, then a Movement Tip for happy hips & inner alignment, registration open for weekly Embodied Resilience online practices (hooray! scroll down for special deal), plus two in-person deep embodiment education...
over 1 year ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, This weekend marked the finale session for the 2023 Embodied Resilience Atelier, which has left my mind & heart blown open. The infinite awe, wonder & humility of the power of our embodiment continues to unfold with every deepening training & every cohort with unique inquiries. In the face of world events & global change, the research & conversations about the impact of embodied practices & living yoga bear within them deep & much needed wisdom for our times. A few soundbites from...
over 1 year ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Movement is medicine for body+mind+heart+soul - if you need to hear this today.If you’re feeling the weight of the world, marco or micro, MOVE.Even if it feels hard, even 5 minutes to SHAKE IT OFF - to dance and express the emotions... E-motion is meant to MOVE.Give your body some freeform dancing, expression from the heart.Move from within the feeling, not the mental form, and you’ll find the freedom in your emotional state as well.This morning my practice was dancing + singing +...
over 1 year ago • 4 min read