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September 2019

communikates

writing prompt (+ meditation): The story you’re trying to hide

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September 30, 2019

Day 15: meditation (#dhyana) | Today, I finally di

Day 15: meditation (#dhyana) | Today, I finally did it: I woke up early (5:55am), meditated, and started my day without giving into the temptation of sleeping in. My sadhana was crucial for helping me show up for two groups of people I got to lead in meditation – the first, my #TrueNature preschoolers, and the second, @robertsoncenter’s audience of teachers seeking an outlet for self-care and creative expression – both from the comfort of home. I’ve been working with a somatic meditation, introduced to me by @rebekahtayebi + @joannevarni during a YFTR training last fall. It’s been a really powerful tool for me that relates to a lot of what I teach about writing and creativity. In the meditation, the senses can bring us back to a positive memory. On a blank page, writing about the senses can bring the reader to the writer’s experience (or imagination), as though s/he has been there too. (Catch the replay of my Instagram live over at @robertsoncenter’s story!)🧘🏼‍♀️✍🏻 #theresnoplacelikehome #breathetogetheryoga

I’m excited to be going live on Instagram this a

I’m excited to be going live on Instagram this afternoon to talk all about creative expression for @robertsoncenter’s #SelfCareStaycation! I’ll be talking about how to cultivate gratitude during times of uncertainty and isolation, complete with a meditation and writing exercise. Going live at 1pm (4pm ET) - I hope you’ll join me! 🧘🏼‍♀️✍🏻💖 #Repost @robertsoncenter with @make_repost
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Join us on Instagram Live for a series of self-care sessions hosted by a variety of wellness pros!

Day 14: concentration (#dharana) | It’s been har

Day 14: concentration (#dharana) | It’s been hard to concentrate this week. I can’t seem to keep focused on one thing, and technology – while I’m so grateful for it, allowing me to stay connected to my loved ones and continue working – is making me a little crazy. Today, I changed my meditation drishti, or view. I lingered in my prayer chair longer than I have been, despite waking up late to tons of emails and texts to answer (please forgive me if I still haven’t gotten back to you), and did some fire-gazing. @hannah__muse’s #YogaChurch classes, all about devotion this week, have helped me remember what’s most important, too. 🙏🏼🔥 #jaima #breathetogetheryoga #theresnoplacelikehome

Day 13: turning within | While #pratyahara emphasi

Day 13: turning within | While #pratyahara emphasizes withdrawing from the senses, tonight I encouraged my writers and journalers to tune into them, starting our session with a somatic meditation. And as I guided them to drop inward, it was hard to turn off my senses and outer experience (dogs barking, dad clamoring in the kitchen, loud cars passing by and airplanes overhead, as if testing our focus). And as we got into our writing flow, all of that sensory input, the details that are so important in creative writing, fell away and onto the page. For me, writing has always been my way to turn within, to come home to myself. #breathetogetheryoga #theresnoplacelikehome #omgamganapatayenamaha

Day 12: breathwork (#pranayama) | Since starting m

Day 12: breathwork (#pranayama) | Since starting my first YTT, the easiest way for me to learn yoga concepts, postures, and especially breathing techniques is to turn around and teach them to my preschool students. Since graduating, my role as a preschool teacher has evolved into starting my own yoga program, called True Nature, for preschoolers. Since the pandemic, the format has changed drastically over the last few weeks. I never thought a virtual class is something I’d offer because it’s so important to me to be there, reading their energy and adapting what I’ve prepared based on if it’s resonating or not. But, things change... Even though @littleoakpreschool had to close temporarily, I’m grateful I’m still able to show up, support them and their families, and meet them where they’re at, however I can serve them. Today, I got to try out some different breathwork with them and talk more about Ganesh (our favorite!). 🐘 #breathetogetheryoga #theresnoplacelikehome #omgamganapatayenamaha

Day 11: postures (#asana) | I was surprised when I

Day 11: postures (#asana) | I was surprised when I learned that, in addition to a movement practice, asana can simply mean “seat.” In fact, some of the earliest traces of yoga (for instance the Pashupati Seal, from the Indus Valley Civilization circa 2500-1500 BCE) depict a simple, seated yoga posture. I’m currently up in Sacramento at my dad’s house, where my seated practice looks a bit different (especially now that I’ve used this time of sheltering in place to transform my childhood desk chair with a beautiful piece of fabric I found in Guatemala + a complementary throw from my recent India trip – two important destinations on my YTT journey). Rather than a meditation cushion, I find support in a “prayer chair” that’s always had my back. What is similar to my practice back at my other home in Santa Cruz is my girl Kali (in another form). Today, I’m feeling grateful to have more than one place I can call home, especially during this difficult time. #theresnoplacelikehome #breathetogetheryoga

Day 10: non-hoarding (#aparigraha) | There’s so

Day 10: non-hoarding (#aparigraha) | There’s so much I could say about this topic, especially as I continue to purge physical (and emotional) clutter that I’ve been holding onto, hoarding, that no longer serves me. But similar to what I reflected on a couple posts ago, I’m going to focus on not hoarding other resources, apart from material ones. What I’ve been thinking about all morning is how I could be better about time management. Like many writers, I am a huge procrastinator, which is major way I’m hoarding my time. But I’m working on it. I’ve stuck with my morning pages (I’m on day 10, just like this challenge!), and I’m hoping creating an at-home schedule will help too. Stay tuned. #theresnoplacelikehome #breathetogetheryoga

Day 9: moderation (#brahmacharya) | I’ve been lo

Day 9: moderation (#brahmacharya) | I’ve been looking forward to my little (not even) nightly treats of a mini scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream. It’s hard to tell from this photo, but this is a very short mug. And as much as I love my sweets, it’s been surprisingly satisfying. #breathetogetheryoga #theresnoplacelikehome

Day 8: non-stealing (#asteya) | I’ve been going

Day 8: non-stealing (#asteya) | I’ve been going to bed late. The last two nights, I’ve waited until right after crawling into bed to post, which doesn’t serve me because I want to offer each day of the challenge some time and thought. Rather than stealing sleep time from myself, I decided it would be okay to post a day late. When I was first introduced to this Yama, I remember thinking “I would never steal; I don’t care enough about money or material possessions to steal.” But then, my teacher explained this could mean stealing someone’s time, for instance by running late, or other resources. (In that case, I’m definitely guilty.) Even before this prompt, quarantining has allowed me the chance to reflect on the time I steal from my dogs, when I am normally too busy (even sometimes too lazy) to give them the leisurely time out in nature they deserve. With this time “off,” I’ve been slowing down on our walks, enjoying the sun on my face, the feel of having nowhere I have to get to. And I hope to carry it with me, even after the shelter in place is lifted. #breathetogetheryoga #theresnoplacelikehome #dogsofbty

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