I have the great privilege of working with and being cared for by some truly big-hearted people. They are parents, siblings, caregivers, service workers, social justice advocates, volunteers, environmentalists, and animal lovers. They’re attuned to the world and care deeply for its inhabitants. Sometimes they can be painfully awake to the suffering of others. That sensitivity is a superpower that can make the world a better place. It can also be a source of great heartache. A

​ Falling asleep (and staying asleep) has been a struggle on and off for much of my life. Even though a few years ago and after a LOT of trial and error, I managed to find a set of habits that work nicely for me, my system isn’t foolproof. During a recent string of rough, nightmare-filled nights, I started to dread and avoid bedtime like I used to years ago. I was convinced I’d repeat the same story of the nights before, living out worst case scenarios once I finally and fitf

It wasn’t monumental or dramatic, but something beautiful happened today. While I was teaching, a storm rolled in, and we began our meditation to the sound of pouring rain and thunder. We then closed our eyes as we flowed with our breath between cat and cow pose and focused on absorbing the loveliness of the sounds. It was the best kind of music. I may not remember that moment next month, but it was beautiful today. Something beautiful happened for you today, too. It may have

A yoga teacher friend and I were chatting recently about our mixed feelings about yoga on Instagram (a photo-sharing social media site/app). I'm excited about the diversity on Instagram! So many different bodies are now represented online, which is really great for expanding the view of who is practicing yoga. It's not just young, thin, white women; everyone is practicing yoga! But for as many people who are inspired by seeing photos of yoga poses, there are many who feel int

In recent months I've been very present to a loved one's suffering and my heart has been aching. While I was driving the other afternoon, I found myself thoroughly distressed by the grief and fear. As tears welled in my eyes, something came to mind. Beneath the heaviness of this very human experience, there was an opportunity to simply observe. I looked at the objective truth. My body was tense. My face was crumpled and my jaw was clenched. These were natural reactions to s

This brief 3-part breathing practice is my go-to for times of stress. It helps me slow down my heart rate, soften my shoulders, and come back to my body. The Sanskrit name for this breath technique, which you're likely to encounter in a yoga class, is Dirga. Click the above image to open the audio and enjoy. Remember: you can download any Mindful Minute to your phone or ipod using this icon: #breath #mindfulness #stress #selfcare

One of the things I frequently say to my students is that the goal of yoga isn't to make interesting shapes with our bodies. The poses are designed to make our bodies feel comfortable enough that we can meditate without distraction. This brief progressive muscle relaxation practice will help you interrupt stress in your body and mind with a minute of rest. Click the above image to open the audio, and enjoy. #littlehabits #meditation #stress #mindfulness

During every yoga class I leave space for students to guide themselves through any movement their body is requesting, even if it doesn't resemble a familiar yoga pose. We come back to this intuitive movement several times in class, and it's the last thing we do before relaxing in savasana, corpse pose. Every once in a while, an interesting thing happens when a new student comes to my class. When offered the opportunity to explore their body's needs with total freedom, they se

May all beings everywhere be happy and free! This Mindful Minute is a translation of the Sanskrit mantra, "Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu." It's an offering of peace and compassion to all beings on this planet. May you be happy and free. #mindfulness #selfcompassion #meditation #intention

This has been a deeply sad week for the Chapel Hill community and beyond. Everyone in this world is in need of more peace and love. Here's a Mindful Minute practice in that spirit. Mindful Minute: Exhaling Love Inhale peace. Exhale love. #meditation #mindfulness #intention