On Tuesday, I took Amy Baker’s 5:30 – 6:45 Root Integrative Vinyasa class at Root Yoga Center.

I’ve been wanting to take Amy’s class for a long time. Also, post-C-section, I’ve been afraid of taking Amy’s class for a long time. My students both rave about her and regularly point out that “Her classes are even harder than yours!” Knowing that my own classes already bring me to my edge and that my practice is not quite as intense as it was before major abdominal surgery, I was hesitant to explore Amy’s class.

Now, I only wish I could’ve gotten to her class sooner.

Amy’s class provides all the gifts of a great teacher: careful consideration, exquisite sequencing, inviting challenges, and much more. Yes, her class is challenging. But, the challenge kindles as a slow burn. Amy’s class stoked a fire within me that’s still burning two days later. She knows exactly how to take her students to the edge, but not over it. That ability is both an artful balancing act and evidence of deep listening and intuition.

I loved Amy’s class. And, I’ll probably be waiting a long time before I take another one.

Amy will soon be taking a hiatus from teaching at Root to welcome twins into her life and her family. At the end of class, when I thanked her for her teaching, she said, “You bet. See you in a year or so!”

I’ll be counting down until her return.

Have you taken class with Amy? Leave a comment below and share the love.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” - e.e. cummings

This past weekend, I went on a brief hike in Estes Park and had the pleasure of seeing the peaking Aspens. Brilliant yellow, shy orange, and brave rust colors wash over the Aspen leaves at this time of year. When viewed from afar, the Aspens offer a bright surprise of color in the mountain landscape. Their boldness remind me not only of their beauty, but of the beauty of everything surrounding them.

The Aspen trees peak during the transition to Fall: a time of great change. At this pivotal time of transformation, and at a time when they are at their most vulnerable (they’re going to fall eventually), the Aspen leaves make a statement. Their vibrancy seems to shout their transformation from the rooftops.

In my life, I usually handle moments of transformation in a different way. I hibernate. I curl inside myself in vulnerable times. For me, transformation and change seem to go hand-in-hand with missteps, struggle and rawness. I’d rather not let anyone see that. So, I hunker down.

Many of us respond to change and challenge with this protective, contractive instinct. We fear injury, exposure, or embarrassment. So, we hide out during moments of transformation. We put on a smile, we laugh off self-doubt, or we just do our darnedest to ignore the issue at hand.

But, what if we did something radically different?

What if, in moments of personal upheaval, we sing it from the rooftops?

What if, when we feel vulnerable, we dare to tell someone?

What if, when we experience self-doubt, we admit it to others?

What if we reveal the full spectrum of our human experiences?

When we reveal our hearts – particularly when we’d rather not – we encourage others to do the same. We make space for others to reveal the true colors of their experiences. By virtue of this one simple act of bravery, we inspire a world of greater authenticity, of more color. And, in my mind, the most vibrant landscapes are always the most beautiful.

So, I dare you to be brave. What transformation is happening in your life? What are you struggling with? Leave a comment and share your heart.

For almost three years, I’ve maintained a vegan diet. Before that, I was a vegetarian. When I first became a vegetarian, I had a reason: I wanted to practice ahimsa (nonviolence). So, with great struggle, I gave up meat. As I grew more invested in the philosophy behind my diet, and more educated on mainstream dairy farming practices, I decided that vegetarianism wasn’t enough. I went vegan in an effort to stick to my ahimsa, er, guns. I felt a vegan diet and lifestyle was the only way I could uphold a philosophy of nonviolence with integrity.

Until now.

Five months ago, my son was born. As with any new parent, my journey into motherhood was both joyous and extremely challenging. For the first time in my life, my every thought and action centered entirely around the needs of another being. I struggled to rekindle a sense of self. With time, though, I did reconnect with my own wants and needs, and I discovered something surprising…

I wanted cheese.

Now, I’m not talking “wanting” as in, “Oh, that sounds kind of nice.” I’m talking “wanting” as in drooling, whimpering, pupil-dilating desire for a hunk of triple creme brie. For weeks, I resisted my desire and shut it out in honor of a higher philosophical leaning. But, this past weekend, I could no longer resist.

I ate cheese.

I went (alone) to a little wine and cheese shop in my neighborhood. I sat down and order a full-on cheese plate, accompanied by a sparkling rosé. Every bite was a revelation. I relished in the flavors and delighted in the solitude. When I came home, I did so with a full heart (and belly). I felt rejuvenated. But, the question remained:

How do I justify the cheese in light of my personal philosophy?

Ultimately, I realized that denying myself the much-desired cheese denied a deeper need: the need for self-love. Often, as a mom, I have little time at the end of the day to revel in my own nourishment. But, as with anyone, I need to care for myself and, sometimes, luxuriate!

A cheese plate might not be fully consistent with my day-to-day diet, but, in a way, it remains consistent with my moral compass. If I truly want to practice a philosophy of nonviolence, what better place to start than with myself? 

So, I’m takin’ it easy on myself. I’m giving myself license to bend the rules when my heart and tastebuds are shouting from the rooftops. Damn it, I’m going to eat the occasional piece of cheese. And I won’t beat myself up about it. When I can be gracious and gentle with myself, I will be more capable of extending the same courtesy to others. And that, in my mind, is what ahimsa is all about.

What’s your definition of ahimsa? How do you choose to practice it for yourself and for others?

Yoga blocks to the rescue!

This video from Sadie Nardini offers a creative and super effective way to approach Eka Pada Koundinyasana II with greater ease.

By placing a block underneath the quadricep of your extended leg, you allow yourself the time and space to hone in on the subtler aspects of alignment in the pose. Focus on hugging your muscles in towards your midline – knitting your abs closer together, and energetically zipping your inner thighs towards center. When you feel strong in your core, and your arms are positioned Chaturanga-style, consider lifting off your back toes to fly up off the block. You may surprise yourself with your flight!

What are your tips for rocking out Eka Pada Koundinyasana II? Share them in the comments below!

1. Center yourself. Find a comfortable seat and take a few moments to breathe deeply.

2. Warm up. Cat and Cow, Downward Facing Dog, Uttanasana or a Runner’s Lunge are all great warm-ups.

3. Salute the sun. Move through a few vigorous sun salutations, one breath per movement.

4. Rock your standing poses. Bust out some of your favorites like Warrior I, Warrior II, Extended Side-Angle and Triangle. Then add in some balancing poses like Warrior III, Half Moon, Tree or Eagle.

5. Turn yourself upside down! If you are exploring inversions in your home yoga practice, bust out a Headstand, Handstand, or Forearm Stand. Find a wall to practice against if need be.

6. Open your heart. Ease into some simple backbends like Bridge Pose before exploring deeper backbends like Bow, Camel or Full Wheel.

7. Open your hips. Pigeon Pose, Ankle-to-Knee, or Baddha Konasana are great options.

8. Twist it out. Take a few gentle twists with variations on Ardha Matsyendrasana or Marichyasana III.

9. Forward fold. Seated forward folds like Paschimottanasana, Janu Sirsasana and Upavistha Konasana will help you cool down.

10. Take a seat. Find a comfortable seated position or Supta Baddha Konasana for a few moments of quiet meditation.

11. Bliss out. Enjoy the ultimate yoga treat of Savasana. Stay as long as you can!

I hope this helps! Also, feel free to peruse my blog for resources on other poses you may be exploring at home on your mat. You’ll see an index of all 200 poses in Light on Yoga on the right hand sidebar.

Have questions or concerns? Have tips to share on cultivating a home yoga practice? Leave a comment below!

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“Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of which all the reported miracles grow.”       – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I thought I understood the meaning of self-sacrifice. I had given up my wants and needs in service of something else before. In pregnancy, I’d given up my body (as I knew it), my social life (as I knew it), and my yoga practice (as I knew it). Before pregnancy, I gave up things: I once offered to share a piece of chocolate cake with my husband rather than eating it all by myself. Shoot, I had made plenty of sacrifices!

Then, I became a mom.

Self-sacrifice has taken on a whole new meaning. As a first-time parent, my entire world has reorganized around my son. My every personal want, need or aspiration now takes a firm backseat to this ten pound bundle of love.

This monumental shift in priorities is a natural and essential part of becoming a mom. Of course my son’s cry for help will take precedence over my passing fancies. But, I’ve found that once his needs are met, I struggle to acknowledge and fulfill my own. At the end of the day, I often discover that I’ve put my own wants and needs so far in the backseat that I can’t see them in the rearview mirror.

But, here’s the catch… In order to be a good parent, in order to give everything I can to my son, I also have to give to my self. 

Carving out a few minutes each day to indulge my own desires is crucial to my wellbeing. Even if it’s just ten deep breaths on my yoga mat, making time for my personal wants reconnects me with a sense of self. When I emerge from those moments, I feel centered, peaceful, and more prepared to attend to the needs of my child.

Emerson was right. The greatest feats and miracles bloom from self-sacrifice. But, only those who are poised in their inner strength can give of themselves fully.

So, when you hear the call to give yourself completely to an effort – whether it’s parenting, a job, a community service – take a moment to tap into your sense of self. Give from a place of inner fortitude. And, when your inner strength wanes, reclaim it. Take time for your self.  Connect with your needs. When you do, you’ll be all the more prepared to give your heart fully. And that’s when the real miracles occur.

What sacrifices are you making in your life? How do you retain your inner poise when you’re giving your all?

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