S P A C E . . . . . . . I listened to an interview with Pico Iyer last week that has really stayed with me. He said as a culture we used to define luxury by the size of our house or the type of car we drove, but now we define luxury by space. . We are all craving unstructured time. It feels so rare and fleeting. And in those moments when it does arrive we tend to distract ourselves from it, then we distract ourselves from the distractions (because who knows how to be bored these days?). . I realized today that I’m rarely not listening to a podcast or watching something or scrolling through IG when I have “free time”. Forget free time, I’m usually listening WHILE doing something else. I don’t know if I even remember how to do nothing, but I’m feeling called to pare down and scale back. I’m not sure exactly what that looks like yet, but if you hear less from me in the next few days it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. . . #space #doless #restorativeyoga #onethingatatime #neverpassupachancetodonothing #timeout #reflection #metime #selfcare
We are often so consumed with the busyness of the mind we forget to tend to the rest of the body. And when we do, instead of listening to what the body really needs we impose what we think we should be doing instead. . I often push myself to do more, run longer, eat the salad instead of the chocolate, but when I slow down and listen, rest is generally what my body craves. . Everything happens in the body. And it's because of this body that we can experience life. So treat it with the utmost care and appreciate it, recognize it for all that it is. Embrace your vehicle for living life. . This shape is perfect for those moments you think you should be doing more. The heart opening quality + inversion are equally energizing and relaxing. . Thank you @margiyoung for reminding me of this shape. I’ve been doing it every day for 2 weeks straight and I still fall asleep in it. 😴 The bolsters under the knees were a great addition too. 🙏🏼💛 . . #rest #restasanaisthebestasana #moresavasanaplease #homeyogapractice #selfcare #yogateacherlife #restorativeyoga #yogaoakland #bayareayoga #sanfranciscoyoga
Baking bread is part mathematical equation, part creative expression and I hate it. 😂 sorry @reikihands77 and @bewellyogini . I really thought I would take to this process. I mean, I love to cook. I love learning new things. I love the smell of fresh baked bread. And who doesn’t like saving money? But this is my third attempt and the product is still nothing like I expect. Plus, the timing of it all has taken over my life. I’ve never had more respect for bakers. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 . All of this to say, I still feel sickly determined to bake the perfect loaf of bread. So help a sister out and please send your prayers and easy to understand directions for mastering the art of bread baking (Just not in grams! And yes, I realize part of the problem may be that I’m measuring instead of weighing, but I’m not ready to invest in a scale.) .  Thank you,  the confused bread baker 🥖👩🏼‍🍳 . . #bread #breadmaking #homemade #diy #yogiinthekitchen #foodie
***Today’s Tuesday rolling spotlight is for all my runner friends: hello shin splints*** . You don’t have to be a runner to benefit from this move. If you suffer from any tension in your lower legs or are recovering from an injury, this rolling method is for you. . To try: . 1.Triple knot the bag to make sure it’s secure and the balls won’t move around . 2.Place the balls on top of a block. . 3.Place your shin bone in the center of the two balls, so the balls massage on either side of the bone to the muscles that get really tight and sticky. . 4.Roll up and down to begin; applying as much pressure as you can tolerate. . 5.Work your way from the top of the shin down to the top of the ankle. . If you’re training for a race or have recently upped your conditioning add this move to your daily routine. It only takes a few minutes to rehydrate those tissues and cells all at the front of the shin and get rid of that stiffness and pain so you can perform well + live well in your life. . Happy rolling! . . #yogatuneup #yogatuneupballs #massagetherapy #yogatherapy #alittlegoesalongway #fascia #shinsplints #running #selfcare
Have you noticed how we expect to be stressed these days? . I can easily shift into a state of anxiety if I’m not careful. That’s why I’m such a huge fan of self-care. You cannot be relaxed and anxious at the same time. It’s just not possible. . Take care of yourself so you can live your wildest dreams, pursue your biggest goals, and give your best to those around you. . I want to live in a world where we’re all well rested, don’t you? Couldn’t you just imagine what it would be like if our world leaders made their decisions after a 20-minute savasana? I could! 😁 . . #selfcare #takecareofyourself #saygoodbyetostress #getyourzzzs #eathealthy #rest #move #breathe #meditate
THIS is why I love meal prepping. . I know it takes some planning and forward thinking, but the reward is so worth it. This meal took less than 15 minutes to make, cost a fraction of the $9 avocado toast down the street and is so much tastier than anything I could buy (in my humble opinion, of course 😁). . Menu: . 🔸Thai curry butternut squash soup: I roasted the butternut squash on Thursday when I had a free window of time. So all I had to do today was toss it in the #vitamix with some spices, vegetable broth and coconut oil and voila! Soup! . 🔸Avocado toast + fried egg: You can’t see the bread because it’s covered by a delicious egg + 1/2 avocado but it is homemade and freshly toasted with ghee + salt. . 🔸Green salad with spiced pumpkin seeds. I used cumin + cayenne + salt for seasoning the seeds. . . #cookonceeathealthyallweek #foodie #foodismedicine #foodislife #foodislove #dinnerdate #homemade #diy #vegetarian #mealplanning #mealprep #yogiinthekitchen #mealpreponfleek #ilovemyvitamix
I think I’m finally willing to admit it’s getting too cold for smoothies. At least today. Tomorrow however, is a whole new day 😆 . I still need a vehicle though for all the yummy toppings. . Say hello to turmeric + oats! . Made with ghee and lots of turmeric, topped with chia seeds, pomegranate seeds, raspberry jam and a scoop of peanut butter. Don’t tell my Vitamix, but I didn’t even miss my smoothie today. . . #startyourdayright #healthybreakfast #foodiseverything #foodismedicine #foodislife #foodisfuel #feedyoursoul #cleaneating #nourishbowl #selfcare #yogiinthekitchen #yogateacherlifestyle #vegetarian #getinmybelly
What atmosphere do I want to create in my body? What atmosphere do I want to create in my teaching? What atmosphere do I want to create with you? . My job is to hold up the mirror that shows you your inherent goodness and inner wisdom. I still struggle with extending that same gesture of kindness towards myself, but when I soften I remember, and remembering is everything. . What atmosphere do you want to create? . . #joblove #toeverythingaddkindness #alittlegoesalongway #whatwillbeyourlegacy #yogateacherlife #morningmuses #whatyoudomatters #homepracticeyoga #yoga #yogalife #yogalove
My (yoga) life motto, “you can never have too many blankets”. . I really believe this to be true, but today I put aside the blankets for 4 blocks and I’m still alive (and I still think blankets are the queen of all props, but don’t tell the bolsters 🤫). . This combo strength + stretch move has become a part of my weekly rotation. The more driving and computer staring I do the more I need this exercise. If you’re craving a break from the wheel or screen (1st pull off to the side of the road 😆) grab your blocks (or books) and join me. . To try: 1️⃣ Stack blocks one on top of the other and place them shoulder width apart. . 2️⃣ Come down onto your hands and knees. Keeping your hips over your knees, place the back of your upper arms towards the back edge of the blocks (part closest to you). . 3️⃣ Press your elbows down into the blocks to engage the upper back muscles, shoulder stabilizers and big flank muscles. Stretch forward through the arms and draw back from the tops of the thighs. Keep the low belly engaged and slightly draw the sides of the waist up. Hold for several breaths. . 4️⃣ Now allow the space behind your shoulder blades to soften towards the floor, bend your elbows and draw your hands towards the nape of your neck. . 5️⃣ Alternate between engaging (#3) and releasing (#4) the upper back. . 6️⃣ After a few rounds rest back onto the heels in either a comfortable seated position or in a childs pose. . . #yoga #yogalife #yogalove #yogateacher #yogateacherlife #studentalways #stabilitytraining #stabilitythenmobility #alittlegoesalongway #athomeyogapractice #metime #shoulderworkout