Category: Life.

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Know Thyself Part 3: Behavioral Patterns in Your Family Tree

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originally published in The Limestone Post 

We have explored in previous installments of Know Thyself the benefits of connecting with and continually realigning our values, intentions, and goals as well as discovering the strengths and pitfalls of our particular personality traits. By now, a sense of our inner lives and our view of the world is revealing itself. As our self-knowledge grows, so does our need to understand our interconnectedness and how relationships and familial patterns have influenced our lives. Here, in Part 3, we explore the genogram, a technique for mapping relationships and behaviors within our family trees and its potential to help us create more compassion, understanding, and ease in our own lives.  Read more. . . 

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On Living a Better Life. . . Know Thyself

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In a world filled with competition, tension, and a seemingly endless amount of tragic news and negativity, is it possible to feel more fulfilled than ever? Could we make more confident choices, living with a sense of peace and happiness? Is it possible to accomplish more while also being at ease? How can we maintain the mindset of being enough, of having enough, rather than suffering from a sense of scarcity, yearning, and grasping?
What if the simplest answer is “Know thyself”?
Think of that! How well do you really know yourself? We spend a great deal of time focused outwardly by taking on the expectations and goals of our families and society — sometimes without much thought. But what do you truly value? What do you find beautiful in life? What brings you joy? Do you ever think about your own personality or the reactions you tend to have when something bad (or good!) happens? Read More. . .

 

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On Bluegrass, Monroe and the Beauty of Music

My yoga teaching mentor Rolf Gates recommends we cultivate what we find to be true and beautiful as a practice of aligning with ourselves.  Music, in particular Bluegrass music, is part of the beauty I see in the world.  In my most recent article for Limestone Post Magazine, I write on the importance of celebrating the influence of American music innovator Bill Monroe.  

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Can Yoga Save The World?

 

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Recently I was invited to write for The Limestone Post Magazine, a local online magazine celebrating Bloomington, Indiana and the surrounding area.  As any of my friends can tell you, I am in love with Btown and all it has to offer.  Often taken for granted by life-long residents, and not as well-known outside of the mid-west (unless you follow basketball), Bloomington is a hotbed of intellect, music, art, culture, cuisine and comedy.  To my friends back in Denver who asked why in the world I would move away, I described my town as a little less weird than Boulder, CO and without mountains.  But honestly, without a doubt, this is where the deepest part of my heart resides.  Limestone Post gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and views on the things I love most and introduces me to other perspectives about this place called home.  Click on the photo above to read my first article.

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Yoga Doesn’t Give A Shit!

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Yoga doesn’t care if you can touch your toes. . .
bend your knees.
Yoga doesn’t care if you have read the Sutras chapter and verse. . .
you are welcome.
Yoga doesn’t care who Lulu or Lucy are or if your pants are vegetable dyed hemp. . .
you are not your clothes.
Yoga doesn’t care if you are having your best day or your worst. . .
any day is a good day to practice.
Yoga doesn’t care if you believe you are physically broken or emotionally bankrupt . . .
come as you are.
Yoga doesn’t care if your pants are see-through. . .
and they are, trust me.
Yoga doesn’t care if you speak English, French, Korean or Sanskrit. . .
just speak your own truth.
Yoga doesn’t care if you are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Aetheist, Agnostic. . .
as long as you walk in love.
Yoga doesn’t care if you think you are “all that”. . .
it will humble you.
Yoga doesn’t care if you are fat or skinny, tall or short, brown or white. . .
you are not your vessel.
Yoga doesn’t care if you do not believe in yourself. . .
it will show you the way.
Yoga doesn’t care if you’ve been a jerk your whole life. . .
it will reveal your inner light.
Yoga doesn’t care if you practice yin, Bhakti, Bikram, vinyasa. . .
this practice offers so much.
Yoga doesn’t care if you practice in the heat or cold, in a bed, on a cushion or in a chair. . .
it cannot be contained.
Yoga doesn’t care if you practice one limb or all eight. . .
you have to start somewhere.
Yoga doesn’t care if you can’t shut off your mind. . .
that is why it is called a practice.
Yoga doesn’t care about Chaturanga, Adho Mukha Vrksasana,
or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana. . .
those asanas are the illusions to which we attach ourselves.

Yoga doesn’t give a shit. . .

you do.
Let go of judgment, labels and perfection. . .
simply practice.
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