National Say Something Nice Day

When you hear the phrase "be nice" what do you think? Does being nice sound like a difficult or easy thing to do? Does being nice sound wimpy and cheesy? Do you know of people that you wish would just "be nice?"

In actuality, being nice, kind, and affirming can be quite challenging. We live in a world that values speed, quick decision making, and mental toughness. Being kind and taking time to consider others and how we might lift them up is rather revolutionary in a culture that says me first and hurry up!!

How to begin? Small actions and simple words can be powerful. Saying something nice may look like quieting our own inner voice that is harsh and sometimes cruel. Instead, we can try telling ourselves something encouraging. Saying something nice might be as simple as sharing a compliment with a stranger, or noticing how hard someone is trying as they work toward learning something new.

In the Metta meditation, we practice being nice and wishing ourselves well: May I be Happy. May I be Healthy. May I Live With Ease. The next part of the meditation is to expand those thoughts to others: first to those we care about, those we are in proximity with, and then on to people who are difficult or hard to be around. Finally, our well wishes extend out to all of the world and humankind. If you've tried this meditation, then you know it can be challenging. The Metta is a disciplined and strength building practice. In no way is this meditation practice easy or wimpy.  

May you say something nice today. To yourself. To someone you love. To someone you don't know. I hope it makes your day to choose to share positive energy in a world so full of negativity and pain.

I appreciate you! Thanks for reading.

Self Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! I thought I'd share a few thoughts on self care as a way to address our mental health and overall wellness.

When people are asked about what good self care looks like, they often mention activities: getting a massage, taking a bubble bath, going out for a walk, or taking a nap. While all of these can be helpful self care pursuits, the bottom line is that self care is not a 'one and done.' Self care needs to be the habits and routines we develop over time, so when things really do get rocky and we're feeling depleted, we have some habits behind us that can sustain us and see us through. If you're like me, when you're feeling overwhelmed and out of gas, it is not the time to consider adding something new....you're just trying to get through the day!

Here's an example: most of us have a habit of brushing our teeth for a minute or 2 each morning and evening. We do this because we want to maintain our teeth and have a pleasant smile. If we end up one day with a flu that has our energy down to a nub, we may lay in bed and skip our toothbrushing routine. When we start feeling better, we get right back to brushing our teeth, because we've missed it (maybe those around us have missed it too!). Our teeth brushing is a non-negotiable healthy habit that is sustainable and important for us. Overall self care needs to be the same. Not just something we do occasionally to rest and release tension, but something that we do that is sustainable over time. 

So, in this month of May, take some time to consider: what do I love to do that brings me energy, joy, and a sense of good health? It may be some kind of exercise routine, or a journaling habit, or time to get together with friends or family. Make time for things you love and activities you can use on a regular basis to fill your own personal gas tank. 

May you be well!

 Lessons on emotions

I was reading an article yesterday on Mother's Day and the topic was messages and words we heard from our mothers when we were small. I started thinking about my own growing up. I remember being held to strong standards and expectations, but I feel blessed that I never faced harsh criticism or the put downs or name calling that some kids lived with and experienced. What I do remember is the strong message I received about anger being a negative thing. "Oh, don't be so angry" was a common refrain in my household growing up. I'm not sure why, but anger was the one emotion that was really not accepted and was quickly shut down. I'm not sure if it was part of not "talking back" or arguing with my parents, or if there was a larger discomfort with anger itself. I just figured out pretty quickly that being mad and angry was not pleasing or accepted.

As a result, I have had to take time as an adult to learn how to be angry in appropriate ways. Lashing out and being too passionate about certain subjects has certainly gotten me into hot water in the past. I also know that I actively avoided conflict and hard conversations that had the potential to make someone angry whenever possible. Imagine my surprise when as a young therapist at a conference, I heard for the first time that an appropriate response to anger in others was "You're really angry." Yikes. Talk about just naming it and calling that emotion out, just as it is!

What emotions are difficult for you to express or sit with? You might be wondering, what on earth does this have to do with yoga? I believe that my yoga practice helps me regulate my emotional state and safely explore all facets of my being. Through breath work and new postures that are challenging and not as simple as they look, I learn that sometimes my assumptions are incorrect. I get reminded over and over again about the need to be flexible and open minded. When I can 'be with' all of my thoughts and emotions on the mat, I find I can see them through a lens of compassion and less judgment. I no longer have to accept the idea of 'oh, don't feel that way' or other messages that somehow tell me my emotions are anyone else's business but mine.

Progress!

Yesterday, I completed the first draft of my reflections book! For me, this was HUGE! Writing a daily reflection book has been an idea of mine for years, so to finally have a draft completed, is an amazing accomplishment for me. Of course, so much remains. I still have re-writes to do. Then the big learning curve about editors, publishing, selling books, etc!

My goal with the book is to bring something useful to my yoga students and fellow yoga teachers. Every yoga class ends in savasana or final relaxation. In my Yoga Moodra classes, I have always included a quote or short reflection as my students are entering their relaxation time. My hope is to provide some small bit of inspiration or wisdom that students can ponder in the last few minutes of class on their mats.

I'll keep you all posted as the book develops and when I am ready to share it with you. There have been so many moments of interesting coincidences, new ideas, and gentle nudgings from the universe that tell me to keep going with this creative effort. 

Peace!

Energy: Saving it, using it, replenishing it

How often do you think about your own energy? Of course, if we are ill or we have a sleepless night, we may recognize that we feel sluggish and low energy. What about on the ordinary days? Most of us don't make conscious decisions about how we will spend our physical, mental, and emotional energy. Or at least, not until recently.  As things in our world grow chaotic and hard to predict, I find I have to be extra diligent about my decisions. Social media: a huge energy drain. Nightly news: an energy drain. A peek at the stock market and its performance: who knows!

I'm so grateful for my yoga practice. Nothing else slows me down and helps me assess my own energy and how I can put it to good use. As I breathe, I think more clearly. As I bend and move, I get into the present moment and can appreciate my body and the energy it provides me each day.

Rest, play, creative pursuits...they all help me fill my tank and replenish energy. Eating well and being aware of the fuel I need each day becomes important too.

I'd love to hear from you....what's the best way for you to recharge and gain energy?

April 15 2025

In this week leading up to Easter, I've been thinking about springtime and all the new life and changes that take place in our natural world. Now that I live in Florida, spring looks and feels a lot different than it did in the Midwest, but we do have trees that go dormant that are now green again. As you can see by the photo, the bird of paradise are blooming. 

Springtime means longer days and more sunshine. For many, it's also a time to start to consider new goals or planning for summer vacations or travel. As you move through spring, what are you planning or hoping for? If you have travel plans in mind, remember that your Yoga Moodra classes can go along too! You can continue your yoga practice from anyplace that provides a WIFI signal. 

 In the crazy and unpredictable times we live in, having a yoga practice that helps us manage stress and change is more important than ever before. Getting on my mat has always helped to calm me and get me connected with the present moment. Yoga provides time for me to consider what deserves my time and energy, and what I can release. 

Amidst the problems and disagreements of the day, I appreciate time on the mat and remembering that we are all a part of one human family. Yoga means 'to yoke' or bring together. May your yoga practice help you feel whole. May your practice help you connect and bring together all aspects of yourself, and remind you of your connection to others. You belong here and we belong to one another. 

 

Try Try Again!

Hello everyone. I am going to try (again) to revive this blog that has been dormant now for 5 years! While I have not made entries here, my life has been full of challenges, joys, and disappointments. Probably a lot like all of your lives.

Through the ups and downs, I continue to be amazed by the power of my yoga practice! Yoga has helped me develop a sense of calm and reduced my reactivity to daily challenges. It is indeed a practice, so I have to keep working on feeling grounded, challenging myself on and off the mat, and stretching, strengthening, and breathing through it all.

Right now, I am making final preparations to travel back to MN to do a presentation on Self Care for MSSA (Mn Social Services Association). Mixing yoga and mental health concepts has been my thing, and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to share some ideas and strategies for surviving and thriving in these difficult times.

I'll post again next week and my yoga classes continue next week. Happy Spring! May you each find a new way to bloom and grow this season!