Hello, friends!

This week, an abbreviated message. Our new-little-love-bundle is on my lap, and I simply adore being with him. 🐶

Life is fascinating.

I've been meditating a lot about connection. And abundance. And softening my edges.

I've been asking myself the question, "What if it could be easy?" in all sorts of situations. 

While all of this exploration has been enlightening, I had no idea some of the teaching was going to arrive in the form of an 11-week old Havanese puppy! ​

Meet Javier Ernesto, and see more adorable puppy photos, by clicking here. 

Happy Equinox, my friends!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to connect with you on this powerful day. For those of in the Northern Hemisphere, this day signals the beginning of fall — our time of harvest and transition. 

As we experience the change in seasons, let's create space for reflection:

• Who, or what, are you especially grateful for during your summer?
• What personal growth and expansion have you been moving towards?
• How will you be celebrating how far you have come? (Yes! Make an actual plan for celebrating yourself!)

And, I hope you can spend some really slow time in nature today. As you walk, hike, meditate, or simply sit outside, allow all your senses to be engaged.

• Settle into deep, even breaths. 
• Allow yourself to get still; close your eyes. 
• Take note of what you smell.
• Feel the quality of the air all around you.
• Listen with both ears and connect to the entire soundtrack. 
• Invite your physical body to relax. Let go a little more.
• Allow your thoughts to drift on by like puffy clouds.
• Try not to attach to any aspect of the story. 
• Feel into your own roots. It's simple. Bring awareness into whatever parts of your body are connected to earth. 
• Expand your belly on every inhalation. Relax it towards your spine on every exhalation. 
• Let the concept of time drift away for a bit. Enjoy the now. 

To read more about trusting the flow and experiencing the now, click here. 

Hi, beauties!

I hope you are well and that you are enjoying the power of Apana Vayu Mudra. If you are new to my newsletter, or you simply want to re-visit this incredible tool for our overall health and well-being, please click here. 

This week, my heart is full. 

Mike and I went sailing last Friday and watched an incredible sunset followed by a spectacular full moonrise. Being on our Great Lake is always remarkable, but this is an experience I will take with me.

On top of that, I had the privilege of celebrating a dear friend's significant birthday. Yes, there was cake. But, it was the homemade Indian feast that had me asking for more. On top of all that deliciousness, this celebratory gathering of humans invited me into their sacred circle. The restorative yoga practices, the mantras, the healing of the crystal bowls, and the open-hearted connection? Powerful medicine. 

Time in connection with these beauties, many of whom I had just met, has me unpacking a few things. ​

Click here to read more about releasing the pressure. 

Click here to gain access to a powerful healing tool and thoughts about connection. 

​Hello, beauties:

Happy start to September! I love that we are still enjoying sunshine and warmth. Mike and I went floating off the sailboat last weekend, I continue enjoying lots of outdoor teaching, and I'm trying to figure out how to bottle up the color of the sky! I know I'll need a dose of this bright blue come February. 😉

That said, I also recognize the hints of autumn all around. A few leaves are changing color and falling. I'm slightly shocked by the ever-earlier sunset. And, the big one in my world? Yep. School is back in session. (For all of you dropping off loved ones at college? Whew! Be so, so gentle with yourself! Gift yourself all kinds of spaciousness to feel ALL the feelings.)

Speaking of ALL the feelings . . . thank you for the expansive discussions around emotional intelligence and emotional literacy sparked by last week's newsletter. 

My time at Clawson Public Schools was truly amazing. I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me, and I am super impressed by the school culture that is being established and nurtured there. I LOVE that the Trojans are actively supporting the well-being of their teachers!

I had many powerful conversations with staff after my presentation.
One, in particular, allowed me to reflect and expand.

This teacher was enthusiastic about everything I shared and eager to further discuss. At one point, this person said: "I think something that is under appreciated is the power of denial. Sure, I might wake up with a sore hip, or I may have suffered a bad night of sleep, but I can't allow that to impact how I show up for my disabled son. Or, how I interact with my students. I think denial goes a long way to helping us through the day." 

At this point, I had to pause. Take a few breaths. Listen with both ears to what was being said. Then listen again, deep within myself, to find a constructive, truthful, and compassionate way forward in the conversation. 

By encouraging people to better understand, label, and narrate their emotions, I hope each one of us can:

• know, love, and like ourselves better; 
• empathize more readily with others;
• set clear, clean boundaries;
• know, and express, our expectations;
• move more readily and fluidly through our body's stress response.  

So . . . this person in front of me wants to double down on denial? 

Isn't that exactly the opposite of what I was trying to convey? 

*Pause. Breathe. Listen. Get clear.*