Recently I read a great quote by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen that reads “The mind is like the wind and the body is like the sand: if you want to know how the wind is blowing, you can look at the sand.” In other words, the ways a body moves are manifestations of the state of its mind.You might already...

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There is a practice in Tibetan Buddhism called Lojong where the practitioner uses slogans to train the mind and to provide a point of focus. The slogans are designed as a set of tools to eliminate undesired mental habits that cause suffering. Some of these slogans are “Maintain an awareness of...

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Have you ever woken up and thought: “I don’t want to practice yoga today,”? Have you ever woken up and thought “I’m so bored of yoga, I really don’t want to do it,”? If your answer was “yes” – welcome! I have also felt this way – most recently, for what felt like a very long time.The practice of...

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A backbend in Yoga is a type of asana or pose that incorporates backwards movement of the body through space and might entail some degree of spinal extension. Spinal extension is when the primary curve of the thoracic spine or mid-back decreases corresponding to an increase in the secondary...

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Let’s face it, if every parent received a manual for parenting like our Asana Manual from yoga teacher training, we would all be professional parents. I became a new mom 18 months ago and although I was given lots of tips and read many articles, nothing really prepares you for what it means to...

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We all want to feel more grounded. When we’re grounded, we’re focused and when we’re focused, we’re more efficient and effective. When we’re more efficient and effective, we get things done in less time and that means more free time for the things we enjoy!According to Ayurveda, when we feel...

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My first introduction to yoga was with an Iyengar Yoga teacher. I instantly connected to the precision and detail of her cueing. The class reminded me of ballet lessons because it felt very strict and structured. I can understand, now, that my free spirited, Vata dosha personality, craved the...

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You’re familiar with practicing mindfulness on your yoga mat; being mindful of your breath, being mindful of your “edge”, being mindful not to whack the person on the mat beside you in the head as you sweep your arms into an upward salute. But how mindful are you off your yoga mat?Do you...

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Yesterday, I came across this great quote by Don Wright, “You are the only person that is with you from the moment you are born until the moment you die, so be your best friend and love yourself.”Think of a moment when someone has criticized you or told you something negative, how did you feel?...

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When scrolling social media, distractions are as readily available as fast food french fries. And social media, like fast food, can be as toxic as it is available. It’s a fun tool to share with people but too often it pulls us from the present moment. The invaluable Thich Nhat Hanh writes in The...

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