Yogathon & Silent Auction!

To Do List

I can sense that I'm playing on the edge of burn out, and it's only as I write this message that I remember how dangerous this game can be.  When we have too many things going on, it's easy to become ruled by our "tasks."  The overwhelming need to complete these tasks usually becomes stressful, which translates into the body as tension. I know from personal experience and from the multitude of reports that I get from my students daily, that once we are accustomed to "busyness," it's nearly impossible to pull ourselves away from it.  We essentially become addicted to the things that make us feel useful and progressive in a culture that constantly rewards productivity.  We become addicted to our tension.  The scary question I try pose to myself every day is, "Who am I without my to-do list?"  If I strip myself of all responsibilities and abandon all of my labels- daughter, fiance, teacher, friend- what is left?  What if I surrender all of my stress, tension, fear, guilt and shame so I can truly sit in the seat of my heart?  The authentic essence of who we are is always within us- it is the light we talk about in the yoga practice and the light that we strive to recognize in each other, even in our darkest moments.  When we are living in our own truth and light, it's much easier to see other people's light.  It may come in glimpses, minutes, hours... whoa, sometimes it even lasts the whole morning!  And when we are in these moments of clarity, there is love and compassion towards our own souls and all beings.  We officially let go of judgment, ego, and all of the labels that hold us back from what we all truly are- children of this incredible World.  I sit in awe of the exquisite beauty that we share.  I am honored to witness our yoga community come together and support each other in the ultimate quest to set aside our tasks and come back home to source.  If you're ever feeling lost in the busyness, remember you've got friends in yoga!

Thank You

May is an extra special month because it marks my 4th year of teaching yoga.  Some of you have been taking classes with me for all four years.  Some of you are newer students, but instantly took to the practice, just as I did, and I see you 2+ times a week!  It's so rewarding to see your progress.  I appreciate your openness and willingness to share your lives with me.  It makes what I do so rewarding.  Your friendship and fierce honesty touches my heart more than you know.  I am constantly inspired by all of you and it fuels me to live truthfully and authentically.  May 2nd will mark my 200th day of practicing hatha yoga every day.  I know that some of you have taken on the same goal of practicing daily and am so proud of all your accomplishments in yoga and beyond.  As you know, yoga is not just a physical practice.  It's a lifestyle that affects your habits, relationships and daily choices.  With the knowing that we are all one, we either contribute to the healing of our planet or it's destruction.  Living well is not necessarily easy, but the feeling that coincides with making mindful choices is priceless.  We have a great community of dedicated yogis here in the Lehigh Valley.  Remember that you are not alone.  Thank your for inspiring me to be a better practitioner and teacher.  

Love & Playfulness!

I played an April Fool’s joke on our teacher trainees at the Yoga Loft today! I have never been the one to play the joke on April 1st and I was reminded today of how fun it is to be silly and spontaneous. I think many of us feel safe being in control, so whenever I adapt a sense of play, it feels like letting go, which is what we’re always talking about doing in yoga! And strangely, it’s the brief moments when I accept how little I actually have control over that I feel the greatest sense of relief. Life presents a series of twists and turns that we can’t foresee and it’s certainly not convenient, but the blessing in disguise is our inevitable growth. What if every single thing that's happened in our lives was a necessary occurrence to assist in our soul's transformation? I whole-heartedly believe this because it reflects who we are today. And who we are today is beautiful! Every second we have on this Earth is an opportunity to let go of fear, shame, guilt, and the need to control so that we can welcome love & playfulness. Trust that all is unfolding as it will & enjoy your sacred life!

Asking for Transformation

When we make the conscious decision to commit ourselves to a consistent yoga practice, many of us are asking for one thing: Transformation. We are asking for the opportunity to rediscover the magnificent beauty that already exists within us so we may live our highest truths. Transformation cannot occur without some heartache or suffering somewhere along the path. It's precisely how we deal with conflict that determines our ability to evolve. My entire family was put to the test last week. My mom was diagnosed with Viral Encephalitis, an infection in the brain. The inflammation caused her brain waves to slow down dramatically, which resulted in severe cognitive issues- memory loss, a difficult time finding words, etc. The beginning of this journey was very scary, but she is now expected to make a full recovery. Last week, when so much was still unknown, the only thing that brought me any peace was my yoga practice. Every movement and breath was dedicated to the healing of my mother.

When we set an intention and give our yoga practice purpose, we may choose to extend positivity to one person, but that unique expression of love spreads outward to everyone that needs to heal. Directing energy is a form of service. I know that all of your positive thoughts have and will contribute to the speedy recovery of my mother and the ultimate healing of our family. This experience empowered my father and I to re-examine our priorities, tell major truths, and allowed my mother the time and space for an emotional awakening! My family is now stronger than ever before and we are all overflowing with gratitude. I asked for transformation and received an amazing blessing in disguise. Never take this life or the ones you love for granted. It can all change in an instant, and change is a sure thing.

"Practice and all will come."

108 is a sacred number in yoga and today is my 108th day of practicing yoga every day! I practiced through vacations, holidays, and even extreme sickness- no matter what, I got on my mat. Whether it was for 15 minutes or 2 hours, I made it a priority to reconnect to my Self & my breath, and every time it made a positive difference in my day. Now my practice is truly non-negotiable. Because of this commitment I am a better student, teacher, partner & friend. I welcome every challenging sensation in service to my transformation, and today I'm so grateful you are all on this journey with me!