Have you ever noticed how rushing from one thing to the next leaves you feeling scattered and tired? Sometimes, the best tool for finding your center isn’t doing more—it’s simply pausing. There is a quiet, gentle power in the pause. It’s a chance to catch your breath, check in with yourself, and invite calm into the mess of the day.
When life feels heavy or your body feels tight, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is come back to your center—both physically and emotionally. Your core isn’t just about abs or looking a certain way; it’s the foundation that supports every part of your movement and holds you steady through life’s ups and downs. Strengthening your core helps you stay mobile, active, and strong, but it also builds a quiet confidence that carries into the way you show up in the world.
Have you ever faced something that feels really tough but also really important? Maybe it’s starting a regular gentle yoga practice, adding meditation for stress relief, or simply making time for yourself each day. The kind of hard thing that you know will help you grow but also feels overwhelming to begin.
Here’s the truth: the hardest part is often just deciding to do it.
When you think about yoga, you might picture graceful poses or flowing sequences. But at its core, yoga is really about one simple yet powerful thing: your spine. Every stretch, twist, bend, and fold you do in gentle yoga, chair yoga, or any practice is centered around moving and caring for this vital part of your body.
When was the last time you went upside down? It might sound like a strange question—or like a challenge only for the super flexible—but going upside down, or practicing viparita (the Sanskrit word for inversions), can be gentle, accessible, and deeply nourishing for your body and mind. You don’t have to hang off the walls or balance on your head to reap the benefits. Even simple movements and mindful moments can turn things around in the best way.
Have you ever noticed how rushing from one thing to the next leaves you feeling scattered and tired? Sometimes, the best tool for finding your center isn’t doing more—it’s simply pausing. There is a quiet, gentle power in the pause. It’s a chance to catch your breath, check in with yourself, and invite calm into the mess of the day.
Some souls leave a mark so bright that even when they’re no longer here, their light keeps shining, guiding us to live fuller, more present lives. Buffy Pilloud Shaver was one of those souls—a beloved teacher, a deeply compassionate friend, and a radiant spirit in our community. She had a way of reminding us that joy and presence aren’t just ideas; they’re practices we bring into every moment.
In her honor, today’s Mindful Monday is about inviting more joy and energy into your body—and your life—through a gentle, accessible breathing practice she loved: Breath of Joy.
Could you use a quick break—a real pause from the busy swirl of your day? I’m guessing the answer is yes. But you don’t need to book a trip or wait for a destination to find that rest and renewal. What if I told you your next mini vacation is right there on your yoga mat, waiting for you to step onto it?
Some days, life asks you to stand strong, to face whatever's coming with steady feet and a calm heart. But knowing how to find that strength—both on and off the mat—can feel elusive. When tension builds up or doubts creep in, it’s easy to want to shrink away or avoid showing your true self. Yet, there’s a simple yoga posture that can help you reconnect to your inner power and courage: Warrior Pose or Virabhadrasana 1.
Have you ever felt stuck, holding onto something that no longer serves you—maybe a job, a relationship, a belief, or even a physical space like your home? Letting go can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out into the unknown and wondering if you’ll fall or fly. But here’s the truth: in every moment of holding on, you’re also holding back from the joy and freedom waiting on the other side.
Have you ever had a moment that made you pause and wonder, How did that just happen? Not in a skeptical way—but in a way that leaves you wide-eyed and grateful? Sometimes, life hands you what can only be described as a miracle. Not always in grand, cinematic ways—but in small, subtle moments that shift the course of your day, or even your life.
Ever have one of those days where everything feels a little out of balance and you wonder if there’s something small you could do to pull things back together? Sometimes, a simple item can make all the difference in grounding both your yoga practice and your daily life. Today, I want to encourage you to embrace a handy tool that’s often underestimated: the yoga block (or, if you’re at home, maybe a book or even an Amazon box).
What pops into your mind when you hear the word health? Do you imagine yourself lifting weights at the gym or preparing a salad for dinner? Maybe you immediately think of going vegan or running a marathon. Let’s pause and look beyond those common images. What if health means something richer, something more balanced?
Have you ever found yourself in a yoga pose and thought, "Does this look right?" It's a common experience to want our poses to look picture-perfect, but there's more to a pose than meets the eye. Let’s take Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) as an example. It's easy to focus on having straight arms and a lifted chest, but the real magic happens when we engage the correct muscles and align our bodies with intention.
Ever find yourself wanting to get more out of your time on the mat? As we look forward to this week's Mindful Monday, let's explore a practice you might not have thought of before—eye yoga. Yep, yoga for your eyes! Eye yoga, or simply moving your eyes deliberately during yoga or other activities, can give you more than you expected. It's a way to enrich your practice without adding extra time, because who of us couldn't use a bit more efficiency?
Today, let's talk about a practice that often gets overlooked—the art of self-massage. Imagine being able to gift yourself with relaxation and rejuvenation without needing to schedule an appointment or wait for someone else's availability. Sometimes, giving yourself a massage is not just a choice; it's a necessity.
Here’s something worth pondering: What if embracing the parts that feel heavy could actually help you lighten the load? I'm here to reassure you that it’s okay to admit when life feels hard. It takes courage to be vulnerable, to acknowledge feelings of sadness, anger, or frustration. Allow yourself to feel those emotions fully and express them, whether that’s through talking with a friend, practicing gentle yoga or connecting with a trusted therapist. Then, when you are with the kids, in my case, you are lighter and more able to see their beautiful faces.
Ever found yourself in a rut, like you’re on autopilot, just coasting through your day? Expansion is a tool to help you move beyond what’s familiar to create an opportunity for growth. This concept of expansion can be practiced on the yoga mat as you explore stretching yourself in a pose and also in life as you explore the edges of your comfort zone.
