"inner peace doe not usually look like being perfectly blissful or being pristinely calm. more often it is the awareness that tough emotions are moving through you with out giving them control. you feel the chaos, choose not to give it any fuel, and intentionally move gently through your day. "
~ yung pueblo

Hello, my friends!

I hope you enjoy a glimpse of our pup's energy and enthusiasm. 🐶

I really should try and capture Javi's excitement when Mike arrives home. I call it the "full-body wag," because every cell and fiber of his little body is shimmying and vibrating with love. Javi can barely contain himself; it melts me and Mike every time. 

While I LOVE witnessing Javi's exuberance, I know that throughout the day, he has a full-range of moods and energy levels:

• He can be tireless at games of fetch
• He is determined to find the exact thing you don't want him to chew on and then go to town with those little teeth 
• He knows precisely what time of day it is, because he reminds me the minute it's time to eat
• When he's finally worn out, his snuggles are the best

Honestly? Tending to his needs is a great reminder of all that we experience in a day. 

I love the yung pueblo quotation at the top. (Go ahead. Take another read. 🙄☝🏽)

• What does inner peace really look like?
• What does inner peace feel like?
• How can it become more of a reality in the day-to-day busyness of our lives? 

For me, inner peace is all about returning to center . . . again, and again. As many times as needed throughout the day. So, no matter where life is pulling me, I still am connected to my highest, best self. 

Of course, this is not simple . . . because life is complicated, and stressful, and challenging. 

And yet, it is so simple:

• Connecting to our breath 
• Taking a moment to pause and check in
• Becoming still and present  
• Allowing ourselves to feel all that's happening
• Doing what's necessary to move through the stress in order to complete the cycle
• Offering ourselves a balance between effort and ease, so we can "move gently" through the day

Coming to my mat, every single day, is my commitment to myself and to this process. It's the best pathway I know to living with greater inner peace . . . to enhancing our creative fuel, our flow, and our fulfillment. 

Some days the practice is long; it can be very physical.

There are days when I flow, and challenge myself with postures and balances. Other days, I am propped up and covered in blankets. 

Some days my practice is silent. Other days it is full of sound.

No matter what, I surrender into stillness. I soften my resistance. I invite in receivership. 

I set my intention for my practice, and then I ask these questions:

• What would I feel like if my intention was realized?
• What if reaching my intention could be easy?
• What if there's something even greater than the intention I imagined for myself?  

Please, give these 3 questions a try. I'd love to hear how they serve you!  

Big love while I continue recovering from Covid,

~ m ♥️
​P.S. I don't want YOU to miss out! There will only be 8 spots available for this year's Art Of Connection: Saturday, June 24, 2 - 5 PM. Save the date and watch future newsletters. As always, you'll be the first to know! 🦋

"there is an attractive vibe that people who are willing to grow emit. even if you are just starting on your journey, being comfortable with the fact that you are imperfect and are ready to move beyond old limits gives off a special energy that calls in emotionally mature people."
~ yung pueblo

Hello, beauties!

My return to teaching has been powerful medicine. That first "OM" in community brought tears to my eyes. While I am still struggling to manage my Covid symptoms and my energy level, I am doing everything I can to balance effort and ease in order to make a full recovery. 

Thank you for your ongoing patience, kindness, and support. 

And, a HUGE shout out to EVERYONE who participated in Let Go To Grow! Wow, what a GROUP. You did it! Even though your six-week journey is now officially complete, I can't wait to see where your daily practice takes you next!!

This week, a simple request from me. Please, take another look at the image up above. Then, spend some time in curiousity about your relationship to kindness.

• Is it a muscle you flex often?
• When you extend kindness to others, do you hope for something in return? 
• When you listen to someone in need, do you listen with your whole body and from a place of kindness?
• When you selflessly offer someone else kindness, how does that resonate in your body and being? 
• Do you willingly extend kindness to others, yet oftentimes withhold it from yourself? 
• What does offering yourself greater kindness look and sound like?
• Is it something external . . .  like a nourishing meal? Or spacious, distraction-free conversation time with a dear friend? 
• What happens when you explore kindness within your own internal dialogue? Can you soften, and release, the chatter that is injurious and unhelpful?

Here's to expanding our heart space
with acts of kindness for others and for ourselves. 
Light and love to all,

~ m ♥️

​P.S. Even in the fog of Covid some exciting things have been happening. Theresa Gray and I are THRILLED to announce an updated version of Art Of Connection! More details coming soon, but save the date: Saturday, June 24, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

"Throw everything away, forget about it all! You are learning too much, remembering too much, trying too hard ... relax a little bit, give life a chance to flow its own way, unassisted by your mind and effort. Stop directing the river's flow."
~ Mooji

Hi, beautiful beings!

When I was a kid, my family didn't take many vacations. When we did, it meant piling everything into the family station wagon nicknamed, "The Grocery Getter." 

The huge back-end of that rig meant my brother and I could fold down the seats and sprawl out in our sleeping bags. I loved that part, because simply climbing into my sleeping bag felt like an adventure was about to unfold. 

However, knowing my older brother and I, I'm certain we didn't climb quietly into our bags and peacefully rest. I'm sure we were barely fifteen minutes down the road before asking, "Are we there, yet?!"

This familiar refrain begins to capture my experience with Covid. After this many days, I feel a bit like that girl again . . . ready for activity and adventure, but needing to rest a while longer. 

• I am astonished by the outpouring of love and support from people near and far. Seriously! You are incredible; the uplift is so appreciated!
• I am THANKFUL Mike's journey with the virus was quicker and involved less struggle.
• I am grateful for the peaceful place in which I am recovering.
• I am humbled by my the persistence of my symptoms.
• I look forward to feeling more like myself again. 

​But, I'm not there yet. So, I'll settle back into my sleeping bag and rest a while longer. 

Hope you are well,

♥️ m

P.S. Mike captured the outdoor photo of Javi, and I can't help snapping photos of that puppy cuteness perched next to me on the couch. Enjoy! 🐶

"Healing yourself is connected with healing others."
~ Yoko Ono

Hello, my friends!

A few more celebratory photos from my time in Utah. 🎉

And, a wonderful update: the three singing bowls you see pictured above? They came home with me! I am SO excited to begin sharing them with you. 🥰

Darcy, Theresa, and I spent HOURS picking them out. There were hundreds of bowls to choose from in the pop-up store at Sundance. (There's SO much more beauty around this whole story; I look forward to sharing!) 

Each bowl is truly special, and the vibrational sound quality is amazing. Put all three bowls together? Real healing alchemy is happening! I look forward to future sound baths and deep meditative immersions with you. ​

To read what happens next, click here. 😷