One of the things I learned about myself early on in adulthood is that appreciation is a high emotional need of mine. According to the love languages it is “words of affirmation.” Therefore, words of affirmation and also encouragement are something I value and give to others.

But what intrigues me is how awkward it feels at times to compliment, encourage, or affirm someone. Even when those positive feelings are overflowing naturally from my heart, it feels unnatural being vocalized. Continue Reading…

On my first day in high school, I was nervous, excited, and a bit overwhelmed. I remember sitting down for lunch with my friend in a loud and crowded lunch room, across from a cute older boy. I took one bite of my sandwich as I giggled nervously at the intimidating male figure in front of me and the end of lunch was signaled. I had to abandon my attempt to nourish myself and move along.

We learn early on in our culture to keep up with the rate at which our world moves. Some of us grow up in big families and learn to fight for our meals at the table before it disappears. Continue Reading…

I’ve said it a lot before, yoga connects your body, mind, and spirit. It is unique in that it is packed with more than physical challenges. It challenges your mind and your heart as well.

There can be great impacts to just 15 minutes of yoga each day because it is therapy for your mental fatigue and stress. The breathing and meditation techniques give you the skills you need to manage stress in your daily life, embracing challenges with patience and confidence. Continue Reading…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Can you believe the Holidays are here again? Thanksgiving is just a week away.

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of lots of people and chatter. I picture noise and lights, and television. I remember lots of hard-prepared foods and lots of dishes. Yet, the wonderful thing about the Holidays is that it brings people together, who you may not get to see but once or twice a year. Continue Reading…

Recently a friend of mine said after a yoga class, “I wish I could keep this calm feeling all day long.”

Oh blessed yoga brain! We love it! It’s the source of chuckles after class, as we crawl out blissfully; moving at the slowest pace we have moved all day.

It’s unrealistic and to be honest would be unproductive to live in the state of yoga brain all day. A certain level of stress or urgency is good to keep us motivated and ambitious toward our goals but a regular practice of yoga does transform our minds and make us a calmer individual. Continue Reading…

I’ve got to be honest with you, a lot of people are offended by the concept of Christian yoga. Some Christians are concerned because of the yoga part, while some Hindus are offended because of the Christian part. It’s not my goal to offend or alarm anyone. My goal is to help others achieve a healthy body, mind, and spirit through the techniques derived from yoga.

Body and Spirit are connected.

And even though we as Christians are practicing a posture with our bodies, for the sake of exercise, that does not originate in our faith, I believe that we can learn from other cultures to better connect with our own faith.

We all worship best in different ways, and we sometimes expect people to fit into one box but the truth be told, I think we need to understand our personalities and learn how to live out our spiritual disciplines in a way that helps us best connect with God. Yoga can be one of those ways to connect. Continue Reading…

I have seen students intimately connect with yoga recently through a freestyle method of teaching. I first saw this at a teacher training I did in Raleigh. The teacher told us to move into whatever flow of standing poses we wished. I was shocked and nervous at first. But for the next five minutes, I decided to block out the people around me and move as my spirit led me through my favorite standing poses. Continue Reading…

I have been thinking lately how some titles have connotations connected to them, expectations almost. When I was younger, Christian was the title that best fit an expectation in the minds of others, sometimes the wrong expectation. For instance, people hear the word Christian and think “judgmental”, “condemning” or “hypocrite”. Others may think, “compassionate”, “charitable,” or “meek”. Continue Reading…

What is it about yoga that makes your brain hum at the end of class? You know what I am talking about: that feeling of peace. Relief. That collective sigh like you have reconnected with a beloved old, friend. Continue Reading…

Recently, I have started reading a book called Eating Animals by Jonathan Foer. I have myself been vegetarian/pescatarian for four years. So, I knew I would find this book interesting. I haven’t gotten very far in the book yet, but so far it is not the kind of book I was anticipating. When I think of a case for vegetarianism, I think it is a passionate, judgmental rant; one unapologetic guilt trip. Continue Reading…