Self-Care

Unconditional Love: A Valentine’s Day Gift to Ourselves and Others

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Valentine’s Day often brings thoughts of romantic love—chocolates, flowers, and expressions of devotion. But beneath the surface of this holiday lies a deeper opportunity: to embrace unconditional love—both for ourselves and those around us.

True love is not just about how we feel toward others when things are easy. It is also about how we show up when things are challenging, how we extend grace, and how we honor the journey that has shaped us into who we are today. This Valentine’s Day, let’s shift our focus from external validation to the profound practice of unconditional love—a love that embraces growth, imperfections, and the beauty of being human.

Honoring Your Journey: The Path to Love

Before we can truly offer unconditional love, we must first acknowledge and honor our own path. Life’s experiences—both joyful and painful—have shaped our capacity to love. Every heartache, every challenge, every lesson has deepened our understanding of what it means to care for others and ourselves.

Rather than looking back with regret or resentment, we can choose to see our past as a teacher. What if we thanked our journey for expanding our hearts? What if we recognized that even the hardest moments have brought us closer to the love we seek?

Reflection:
Take a moment to consider: How has your past shaped the way you give and receive love today? What lessons has your heart learned along the way?

The Practice of Giving Unconditional Love

Unconditional love is love without expectations, without the need for anything in return. It is choosing love even when it’s hard. It’s showing up for someone on their worst day or offering patience when you’re frustrated. It’s giving kindness even when it’s not reciprocated.

Here are some ways to practice unconditional love daily:

  • Listen with your whole heart – Let someone feel truly heard without the need to fix or advise.
  • Offer grace – Remember that everyone is doing the best they can with what they know.
  • Be kind to those who challenge you – Love does not mean condoning harmful behavior, but it does mean releasing resentment and choosing peace.
  • Celebrate others without comparison – Love is abundant, and another’s light does not dim your own.

Self-Love as the Foundation

We cannot pour from an empty cup. If we do not first offer unconditional love to ourselves, how can we extend it fully to others?

This means letting go of self-judgment, embracing our imperfections, and treating ourselves with the same kindness we give our loved ones.

Ways to Cultivate Self-Love:

  • Speak to yourself with compassion instead of criticism.
  • Take time to do things that nourish your soul—yoga, journaling, time in nature.
  • Set healthy boundaries to protect your peace.
  • Forgive yourself for past mistakes.

A Heart-Opening Practice for Love

To close, here’s a simple mindfulness practice to open your heart and cultivate love:

  1. Find a comfortable seat and close your eyes. Place one hand over your heart.
  2. Breathe deeply. With each inhale, imagine love filling your heart. With each exhale, release any judgment or resistance.
  3. Repeat silently: “I am worthy of love. I give love freely. I receive love openly.”
  4. After a few minutes, bring to mind someone you wish to send love to. Picture them surrounded by light, and silently offer, “May you be happy, may you be at peace, may you feel loved.”
  5. Open your eyes and carry this love with you throughout your day.

For a lovely chair yoga practice to compliment unconditional love, visit my new video.

Love Without Limits

This Valentine’s Day, let love be more than just a fleeting celebration—it can be a lifelong practice. By honoring our own journey, offering love without conditions, and embracing self-compassion, we create a world where love is abundant, healing, and infinite.

The greatest gift we can give—to ourselves and others—is love without limits. ??

What Is Holistic Health?

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Holistic health is an approach to well-being that considers the whole person. Mind, body, and spirit instead of just focusing on physical symptoms. It views health as a balance among these areas, each of which influences the others in creating overall wellness. Unlike conventional medicine that may concentrate on treating individual ailments, holistic health aims to uncover root causes of imbalances. It also helps to nurture each aspect to foster healing from within. This approach encourages looking at lifestyle, emotional well-being, and personal beliefs, emphasizing that true health is about harmony within ourselves.

The Mind

The mind in holistic health refers to mental and emotional well-being. Our thoughts, emotions, stress levels, and mental clarity all play a major role in our health. When we’re mentally balanced, we’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges, make healthy choices, and maintain positive relationships. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and stress management can support mental clarity and emotional stability. This can help prevent or manage issues like anxiety, depression, or stress-related illnesses. Cultivating a healthy mind enhances our emotional resilience and contributes to better physical health.

The Body

The body in holistic health represents the physical aspect, focusing on maintaining the body’s strength, flexibility, and resilience. This includes physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and overall self-care practices that support bodily health. When we take care of our bodies—through movement, balanced eating, hydration, and rest—we’re better equipped to handle stress, fight off illnesses, and sustain energy. The body also directly impacts our mental and emotional states. For instance, exercise releases endorphins that improve mood, and good nutrition supports mental clarity.

The Spirit

The spirit aspect focuses on finding meaning, purpose, and connection in life. Spirit doesn’t necessarily refer to religion. Rather it’s more about feeling connected to something bigger than ourselves, whether through nature, relationships, personal beliefs, or a sense of inner peace. When we nurture our spirit, we feel a deeper sense of fulfillment and joy. This can motivate us to take better care of our bodies and minds. This spiritual wellness adds depth to holistic health, recognizing that our well-being isn’t just physical or mental. Spiritual wellness is also shaped by our sense of purpose and our connection to the world. Together, mind, body, and spirit create a foundation for lasting wellness and a more fulfilling, balanced life.

I have a complete three part series that goes a little deeper into these aspects of holistic health. We will learn techniques for keeping our holistic health optimal, including yoga, essential oils, breathing practices and crystals.

Ready to dive in?

Get Your Access Here

Autumn Equinox

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The Autumn Equinox is a time of letting go and harvesting the good that is abundant in our lives. To allow the stalks and leaves to fall aside and go back to the Earth. With this beautiful and colorful season emerging it is our time to loosen our grip on the focus of growth and prepare to move into a more dormant season.

Autumn Equinox and cycles 

This is also a great time to look at the cycles of life; seasons, months, breath, and even life. As we embrace the time of gathering our harvest we are also preparing ourselves for the cycle in which we become more hunkered down. A little more in hibernation mode. The paradox of understanding cycles exists everywhere. 

The simplest observation is the breath; to inhale you must also exhale.

When we are awake we come to know that with each ending there is a beginning in whatever shape that takes; self awareness, growth, wisdom, letting go, forgiveness and grief.  If we pay attention, we can see this so easily in the changing of leaves. The amazing color that emerges following a season of bounty. Then the ease in which the leaf lets go. Watch as leaves effortlessly fall to the ground. They are taken into the loving arms of Mother Earth for the new growth that waits for the next season.

Take time to look at letting go of what no longer serves you.

At the autumn equinox there is a dynamic shift. The season of sunshine, growth, taking action, movement to a more quiet and still season. This time of year during the equinox is a powerful time to pause after the often chaotic energy of summer. Back to school and busy-ness to a more dormant and contemplative time.

This is time where we replenish, regenerate and recuperate from a season of push. 

Well, at least we should try to as the we are so in tune with nature and the natural rhythms of the world, if we are paying attention. Nature responds to the lessening hours of daylight by slowly fading into dormancy. Watch as the leaves fall from trees, the lush green of shrubs and vegetation fades, and animals forage and gather for a season of hibernation. How do we mimic these natural occurrences? We withdraw from the rush of outward action to a season of a more contemplative inner reflection of our spirit.

With this season also comes a wonderful reminder to gather your harvests and share with others and to celebrate the abundance of the world with your neighbors, your family, or even a stranger. We tend to want to hang on to “things”, both tangible and intangible and really all that does is is exhaust us and stop the flow of goodness.

During a yoga practice watch as you move in and out of balance and neutral. How your breath becomes rapid and slow, though we strive for equality of breath. Notice how the tension in our body is often paired with ease. Thoughts come and thoughts go.

The skills that we learn on the yoga to find neutral, equanimity, and harmony teach us the gift of following the rhythm of nature. Remember, our time on the mat is truly a practice for living yoga as we know that yoga really happens off the mat. 

Our practice this time of year should reflect the message of the equinox and allow it to be filled with times of pausing to gather your breath, to reflect in mountain pose with a sense of neutrality and to find the balance between dynamic postures and stillness.

Welcome the harvest that is within and always look for opportunities to be grateful.

 I know for myself, the practice of gratitude has lead me into a life of awareness that has enhanced my life everyday.

Life is really good, friends.

About Stacie

Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.

With over sixteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an experienced 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.

Is Yoga Just Exercise?

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Consider for yourself if you view Yoga as exercise? Is it? Is Yoga something you “do”? Or, is Yoga much more than exercise?

Big questions with a really simple answer. First of all, the majority of us do in fact come to a Yoga class looking for some sort of physical enhancement; to be more toned, to have greater flexibility, to be more coordinated, to support aches and pains naturally or a variety of other reasons. I get that. I did, too. When I first started practicing Yoga it was purely from the standpoint of exercise and my reasoning is that I wanted to be more flexible.

Then it happened. Not only did I gain flexibility physically but my mind and heart also became quite flexible in the process.

Is Yoga Exercise?

According to Medline, Yoga is a practice that connects the body, breath, and mind. It uses physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve overall health. Yoga was developed as a spiritual practice thousands of years ago. Today, most Westerners who do yoga do it for exercise or to reduce stress.

Was that the intent of Yoga when it was discovered?

The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body.

Through learning about the 8 Limbs of Yoga we begin to see this is much more than a physical practice that our Western minds have adopted.

What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga?

  • YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows.
  • NIYAMA – Positive duties or observances.
  • ASANA – Posture of the body.
  • PRANAYAMA – Breathing Techniques.
  • PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal.
  • DHARANA – Focused Concentration.
  • DHYANA – Meditative Absorption.
  • SAMADHI – Bliss or Enlightenment.

You see, if the 8 limbs of Yoga were the spokes of a bicycle wheel, only one spoke would have anything to do with the physical body.

Why does learning about the other 7 limbs matter?

For some people exercise is all they want, and that is fine. I just am hesitant to call it Yoga. To me, Yoga is a lifestyle and a series of attitudes and principles that we embody to create wholeness in the mind, body and spirit. When this happens, we actually begin to influence the people around us in a more positive way. Way more positive than being able to hold a plank for three minutes or lift super heavy weights if you ask me. I would rather know that the way I am showing up in the world is bettering the people around me. We practice showing up on the mat, and apply it to our life off the mat.

When I was raising children, my oldest and youngest boys got to experience two very different childhoods as it relates to the influence Yoga had on me. As a result it also influenced them. My oldest son had more years of being influenced by a highly reactive, stressed, angry and overly emotional mom. My youngest on the other hand, had a longer period of his formative years with a present, calm and peaceful mom. While each son is their own personality and preferences, they do have a dynamically different outlook on life and I do attribute some of that to their primary caregiver (me) having gone through the transformative change that Yoga can bring to one’s life.

Can we just see Yoga as an exercise and still be ok?

Absolutely. 100%. Yes. I would just ask that if you choose to practice Yoga, you consider also learning about the other equally important limbs of the practice. You just might see how amazing it can be, beyond the body.

I have lots more to say on this. Take a listen!

Establishing Habits

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Habits are often described as good or bad. I say a habit is neither. Habits truly are the foundation of building and creating a life you want. Would you like a different outcome? Look at your habits and see which ones are directing you to that dream, and which habits are getting in the way. Do habits change your mindset? Let’s take a look.

“Whenever you want to change your behavior, you can simply ask yourself: How can I make it obvious? “

Look at Your Habits

How does your day begin? Do you grab your phone and begin scrolling? That may or may not be a good thing. If you find it triggers anxiety or sucks you into online debates, then it probably isn’t a great idea. If it inspires your work, feeds your soul or informs you with information that serves you, then it might be a good idea. Do your habits feed your soul?

Do you have a habit of doubting yourself? How does that serve you? Is that self doubt fueling you to do better? Or does that habit bog you down where you can’t proceed with a direction?

Have you found yourself mindlessly eating? Is that a habit that could be replaced with someone healthier? Mindlessly going through your day can lead you to a very dissatisfying outcome.

How to Change or Build Habits

Building in a few simple supports to increase helpful habits and eliminate less helpful habits may be helpful.

Decide what habits are working and what aren’t. Are your daily habits leading you to the life you want? Adjusting your daily habits to serve you puts you in control for creating your life. A stable mind and an open heart is available, unless your habits are preventing that from happening.

Creating a visual schedule. Checklists, sticky notes, or a calendar can be a powerful tool to making it happen.

Accountability Partners. Find a friend who has similar goals and desires and use each other to keep you on the track. Relying on someone or being relied on by someone can be a game changer.

When Habits Play with Our Mindset

Sleeping late is fine unless it creates an internal dialogue of negativity about yourself. Evaluating what daily habits are working for you and tweak the ones that aren’t. Staying confident, grounded and centered is the mindset goal. Establishing what IS working for you is the way that you can stay in control of your daily destiny and how this leads you to your dreams.

Not all habits are “bad” and not all are “good. Habits are just part of our routine that establishes a pattern to our life. Finding what daily things you want to do and what you need to do is where you find the mindset to forge ahead.

Bottom Line

Do what works for YOU. Make some changes to your life in small ways and see if you can tweak a few things so that you feel better about yourself, how you spend your days and your overall outlook on life.

Take a listen to this short podcast to learn more!

How to Raise Your Vibration

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You have certainly heard the term “good vibes only”, right? I actually have a T-shirt that says it! Learning how to raise your vibration and live at a higher state of being is not easier than you might think. In fact with some simple adjustments to your attitudes, behaviors and choices you could easily raise your vibration and live in the good vibes only place.

What Does Raising Your Vibration Mean?

Just as music has various pitches and frequencies, we, too, emit vibrations that affect our mood, health, and overall wellbeing. Raising your vibration means increasing your frequency to a more positive, healthier level.  Everything in the universe, including us, is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. 

The Scale of Vibration Frequencies

The lower end of the scale includes emotions like fear, anger, guilt, shame, grief and sadness. Mid range emotions are things like contentment, courage, willingness, and neutrality. Higher frequencies include emotions like love, peace, joy, happiness, and gratitude.

As we go about our days the more we tend to land in the mid and upper frequencies the better we will feel and the higher our vibration will consistently remain.

How to Raise Your Vibration

There are several natural ways to raise your frequency and like anything, the more we practice the easier it becomes to consistently be in the “good vibes” zone.

Connect with Nature

Spending time in the great outdoors, or even tending to houseplants, can raise your vibration. Being with living things like trees, flowers, grasses, plants and animals provides an unparalleled source of high frequencies. Being exposed to the pure essence of life can do wonders for your frequency.

Change Your Thinking

Using positive affirmations, redirecting your thoughts from negativity to positivity, and becoming mindful of your everyday thoughts is a great starting point to raising your vibration. A gratitude practice has been shown to be a great source of wellbeing and can increase your vibration in a very short time. Also limiting negative influences can have a powerful impact on your thinking.

Movement

Consistently moving your body can positively impact your vibration.Exercise plays a critical role in stress management and as a result, when we are less stressed we are more resilient to the usual triggers that might shift us into fear and other low end frequencies. Regular physical movement can help clear mental clutter, allowing for a more focused and positive mindset.

Aromatherapy and Colors

Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, typically essential oils, to promote health and well-being. Different scents have different effects; for example, lavender can be calming and relaxing, helping to reduce stress and elevate your vibration. Citrus scents, like orange or lemon, are known for their uplifting and energizing properties. I often say the plants that become oils that grow close to the ground will be calming. The plants that are higher up on the tree, typically elevate our mood and help us to feel higher up on the frequency scale. Likewise colors can impact your mood and energy. Colors are light of varying wavelengths; each color has a unique vibrational frequency. Bright, warm colors like yellow, orange, and red are often associated with energy, joy, and vitality, whereas cooler colors like blue and green are linked to calmness, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Feeding Your Body Well

Choosing to eat healthy and fresh foods are a great option for raising your frequency. The fresh plants that you eat are high-vibrational foods as they are those that are alive and full of natural energy. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Processed and packages foods have lost that vibrational essence and as a result can bring us down as they can contribute to feelings of lethargy and negativity due to the lack of nutritional value.

Want to learn a little more? This short YouTube video is a brief introduction to how to raise your vibrational frequency! Listen and let me know what you think!

Being Authentic

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Authenticity has been on my mind for the last few weeks. I often ask myself how authencity shows up in my daily choices, especially lately.

Am I trying hard to be something I am not? Am I revealing the honest parts of myself?

Truth is I have been emotionally absent to many for quite some time. I haven’t taught my special students with dementia since January. I have been unable to host yoga in my studio and feel that human connection until just very recently.

I find myself overwhelmed with the demands of each day while simply trying to heal. The healing process has been so challenging and energetically consuming.

You might see that I am doing work, or creating things, and continuing on “as if”.

Truth is, the “as if” is what helps me cope. The major lifestyle change and everyday pain I experience overcomes me. The effects of the surgeries and medications are grueling. Every little task takes so much effort.

Each day I choose to function as best I can and put in a solid amount of time “working “ on other areas of my business and finding things that bring me joy.

By 2pm everyday I am shutting down. I don’t engage much with the world as I am trying my hardest to simple exist without agony.

From the outside looking in, I appear that I am doing so well. The inside however is grieving and scared.

Each invite is an emotional negotiation. If I say yes, I am risking overwhelm. If I say no, I am risking loss.

I want you to know I am sorry.
I am simple acknowledging it and not justifying it.

I am truly doing my best. I am being my true self.

Evolving Self-Care

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“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” —Eleanor Brownn

Self care Mastery

Over the years I have become a master at self care and what I once thought of as purely selfish or saved for the elite has long since diminished. When I had my great “wakeup” I realized that self-care is actually a necessity to living a whole and complete life. I learned that loving myself meant taking time for certain things that bring me joy and in doing that, I am able to more effectively give to others.

Self-care doesn’t have to be weekly (and often expensive) things like massages, facials or extravagant shopping sprees. Self-care should be simple in nature and definitely doesn’t need to cost a lot. It might be that taking the time to perfectly craft your coffee in the afternoon is your version of self-care–in fact, since I am not out and about as much while I recover from hip replacement, I have found sprinkling a little ground cinnamon on my afternoon coffee to be a fabulous substitute to my usual coffee shop Americano. It may be that your self-care is gardening, or baking bread (YES!), or a solo walk, or organizing your office, or a long shower with special smelling soap, or sitting in the sunshine, or the occasional binge on Netflix.

Self Care Before Surgery:

My self-care before surgery was long, long walks everyday and vigorous strength training sessions. It was also daily coffee(s), Yoga, and weekly massages. My self-care post surgery has changed quite a bit but I am still committed to making sure that I am loving on myself every single day. When I redirect my thoughts away from pain and towards something that brings me joy, I am practicing the best kind of self care there is. I am no longer taking long, long walks or hiking in the mountains. I am not getting on the floor for Yoga, or taking long bubble baths, or splurging on multiple trips to a coffee shop throughout my day. Since I am unable to do some of those things due to limitations in mobility, driving myself and being off work for two months, I have evolved my self-care to fit my current situation.

Self Care After Surgery:

  • Long hot showers instead of bubble baths
  • Daily affirmations (I have used affirmations for years, but being a bit more intentional about them)
  • Making anything and everything sourdough (who knew how fun that could be?)
  • Dabbling more in aromatherapy when I feel my mood changing to a negative one
  • Using and enjoying my crystals in a deliberate way
  • Jigsaw puzzles, digital planning and a lot of iPad goodness
  • Easy stretching and spine work
  • Making soothing DIY skin products
  • Being creative and productive every day

I have come to realize that self-care is a constantly evolving practice. I know for me that being productive and using my creative nature to accomplish something everyday brings me joy. That something might be baking a gorgeous loaf of sourdough, or completing a challenging jigsaw puzzle, working on a new project, or finishing a juicy novel. Or, it might be whipping up a body butter for my skin or enjoying an extra long shower. Whatever it is, I am still loving on me and that is a must for all of us.

How do you self-care and how has it evolved in your changing seasons?

Follow me for more goodness!

Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life. With over sixteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an experienced 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor.

Tips & Tricks for Mindful Healing

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How can we maintain our strength and equilibrium in the face of our greatest challenge?

When we are going through a health challenge it is so important to remember that mindful healing is a big part of the successful outcome we wish for.

Tips & Tricks to Mindful Healing

Each morning I sit and read something with the intent to be inspired or at the minimum give me something to ponder throughout the day. This morning I reached for my Yoga 365 book and today’s passage was so aligned with a video I created yesterday. In the video I talk about the mindful ways we can bring an added element to our healing process.

For me specifically with my recent hip surgery, I am implementing a few strategies that doctors do not necessarily tell you when you are faced with a major surgery. While I greatly appreciate the practical things that a person needs, it is the nuances of daily living that I believe go quite far in the healing process.

Our mindset will greatly influence our mental health during any sort of healing process, whether it is a surgery, an illness or a major life upheaval.

These six mindful healing tips are perfect for anyone:

Keeping a daily routine.

If you have always been a person who gets up and reads, or meditates, or journals, or prays, then keep doing that. Don’t sacrifice your spiritual practice because your physical body is working hard to improve. Also, if you are a person that gets up every day and puts a little makeup on, then keep doing that. Taking care of yourself and helping yourself to feel somewhat “normal” during this temporary healing time will do wonders for your happiness factor. Finally, getting dressed everyday and getting out of your pajamas (even if you wear comfy house clothes), the simple act of getting up and dressed everyday will send a message to your brain that you are in fact getting better. Plus, you’ll look better and when we look better, we have a tendency to feel better. I am a huge fan of lipstick and mascara and not a single day has passed that I don’t take the five minutes to make myself feel beautiful.

Develop a mindset of gratitude.


Each day I spend a few minutes in deep gratitude for the surgeon and for the implant in my body. Even though I still have a lot of pain and mobility is hard, I am mindful each day to thank my body for accepting this new joint and welcoming it into my body. I am grateful for my cells moving around my body to encourage healing. I am grateful for my strong muscles that are working hard to regain their strength to support the new joint. When we shift our mindset from a pain point to a gratitude point, our entire mental outlook can shift. Sure, it would be easy to sit in my 3 days worn pajamas and mope that my body hasn’t healed as fast as what others have, and I could complain that the surgery must have somehow gone wrong, and my immune system is overactive causing extra pain, OR I could embrace this new challenge through the lens of gratitude and be intentional about loving this new body part.

Speak kindly to yourself and others.

We have all heard that kindness is the path to a better world. Speaking kindly about yourself and to yourself during this time of vulnerability is so important. Falling into the trap of self-pity, or worse self-defeating language will only slow your progress. For the people who are helping you, they are doing their very best to make sure that you are healing and comfortable and if you are a person who is usually very self-sufficient, it can be emotionally draining on your family and friends to see you in a different way. Be kind and thank them for every small thing that they are now doing for you. We have a tendency to be hardest on ourselves and those closest to us so remembering to speak kindly will be a huge asset to you.

Setting up your space.

The doctor will likely give you a few tips to get your home ready for when you come home from surgery–things like remove loose area rugs, move items to waist level, get your medications refilled, have a grabber for picking up dropped items, etc. These are all great and much needed suggestions, however I found a few more things that have helped me feel better. I made sure that the items I use regularly like essential oils, diffusers, herbal teas, supplements, hand lotion, and other self care items are accessible. I created a space in my house specifically for this healing process where I have a comfy chair, a basket of healthy snacks, a stash of essential oils, books, my iPad, beautiful plants, and plenty of chargers within one room. This eliminates the constant need for someone to run get something for me AND it gives my space the homey and comfortable feel. Imagine trying to heal in a cold, dark, sterile, or dingy environment. Yuck. Make your space pretty and just what YOU like because you are gonna be there a while.

You have to have movement.

Any type of movement to get circulation going is so imperative. If you have had hip surgery like me, move your upper body. If you have had shoulder surgery, move your lower body. At the minimum move your spine in all six directions once a day. It literally takes five minutes and will increase circulation, get your chi moving and make you feel good which are all good things when it comes to healing. Movement is medicine.

Start a new hobby.

You might be thinking that a new hobby right now is too overwhelming but the distraction will shift your awareness from hurting to something productive and potentially fun. If you have never been a big reader, now is a great time to download your free library app and start borrowing books, or ask to borrow books from friends. Maybe you have always wanted to learn how to knit or crochet. YouTube is filled with tutorials and Amazon delivers yarn and crochet hooks. Perhaps you have been wanting to take up writing your own blog on a topic you are passionate about. I have enjoyed crocheting, jigsaw puzzles on my iPad, digital planning, and making sourdough anything. The joy factor is increases while I am doing those activities and my mind is less focused on hurting.

Mindful Healing

These are easy ways to maintain your strength and equilibrium while faced with one of the hardest things you may ever go through. Mindful healing is something you can do! By redirecting my thoughts, speaking kindly, wearing my favorite shade of lipstick and clean clothes everyday, easy movements, eating healthy organic cashews and sipping tea, AND feeding my brain with wholesome hobbies while being SO grateful, I am on my way!

Valentine’s Day Gifts

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It’s that time of year when the shops fill up with hearts and roses. But is Valentine’s just for the romantics? More and more people are choosing to see Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love. Whether it is for a friend, a pet or loved one. You don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate. And you certainly don’t have to do it with hearts and roses. But celebrating love can’t be such a bad thing, can it?

Unconditional Love Blend

These make fantastic little valentine’s love gifts for all your special people. These are packed with powerful essential oils and beautiful rose quartz. Plus, I add a few rose petals for the pretty sake.

What is inside:

  • Rose: Opens the heart chakra and allows you to feel unconditional love. Creates a sense of well-being and calmness while awakening your ability for self-compassion, nurturing, and love.
  • Lemon: Opens the heart chakra to self-love and self-nurturing. lightens while uplifting your spirit and bringing clarity into your life.
  • Neroli: A natural tranquilizer and regulator of the nervous system that opens the heart chakra, uplifts your spirit, and encourages confidence, joy, and peace.
  • Marjoram: Restores warmth, self-compassion, and self-nurturing when feeling lonely or isolated.
  • Lavender: Helps you to relax, let go of the stress, and release fear, which fosters connect with the heart center and opens you up to more love.
  • Jasmine: Uplifting and joyous oil that balances the emotional system, soothes anxiety, and helps with depression and apathy.
  • Geranium: This emotional healing oil restores confidence and trust in others. It can help to heal a broken heart and open one up to love.
  • Ylang Ylang: This is a powerful remedy for the heart and releasing trauma from the past. This oil helps to release bottled up emotions that weigh heavy on the heart which allows for a more playful, carefree, emotionally connected and loving experience of life.
  • Tranquility Blend (Serenity): Includes Lavender Flower, Cedarwood, Ho Wood Leaf, Ylang Ylang Flower, Marjoram Leaf, Roman Chamomile Flower, Vetiver Root, Vanilla Bean Absolute, Hawaiian Sandalwood. Encourages individuals to first reconnect with themselves and discover peace that lies within, and then to reconnect with the humanity in others. This brings a calm, tranquil, peaceful, relaxed, compassionate and connection person.
  • Rose quartz: Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love. It restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love. Rose Quartz purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of grief. Rose Quartz dispels negativity.

Ready to get yours?

Buy Your Unconditional Blend Here

Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.

Strength Training

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“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Strength training pushes me beyond my limits, and I love it.

I love to be active and thrive when I am in constant motion, but I never thought I would say that strength training is a must for me. I learned this week that without the dopamine rush of consistently lifting weights my mood and overall well-being is not great. I walk a bunch every day and practice some sort of Yoga or stretching but until I began strength training there was never any rhyme or reason to what I did.

Two years ago I stumbled onto a YouTube trainer that clicked with me. For some reason I always had a bazillion or more excuses as to why I didn’t lift weights. The same ol’ “not enough” time was usually the front runner of excuses. Since I started October 1st 2021, I have added 4-5 days a week of weight training to my wellness routine. I can now say that I am shocked that up until age 51, I had not found the love for the feeling I get (and the sustained feelings) following a training session.

I recently completed another 10 weeks of training and thought I would take one week off.

In taking that week off, I experienced worse sleep, elevated irritability, overall sadness, and a much gloomier outlook on life. Could it be the lack of strength training? I wanted to say it was my recent hand I injury while wrestling a bag of baking soda that resulted in a torn ligament. (do not even ask). As I look back on the week off, I do believe with certainty it was the lack of training (and dopamine) that allowed my injury and the rest of my pain to take a hold on my attitude.

When I am lifting weights I am amazed and in awe of my strength and my chronic pain takes a back seat. I am confident and empowered as I do lunges and chest presses. I thrive when I am shaking after a good session. My uplifted mood takes me through my day with ease and I am filled with unstoppable energy.

Harvard found in a study that the mental benefits of exercise has a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the “runner’s high” and for the feelings of relaxation and optimism that accompany many hard workouts — or, at least, the hot shower after your exercise is over.

Behavioral factors also contribute to the emotional benefits of exercise. As your waistline shrinks and your strength and stamina increase, your self-image will improve. You’ll earn a sense of mastery and control, of pride and self-confidence. Your renewed vigor and energy will help you succeed in many tasks, and the discipline of regular exercise will help you achieve other important lifestyle goals.

So there it is.

Proof is in the pudding. Without the added adrenaline rush from strength training I found that walking 20,000 steps just isn’t enough for me anymore.

The made up belief that I didn’t have enough time was just that–a grossly false made up belief. I have the will to get out there and do it. I do have time. I make the time. By choosing to wake up just 30 minutes earlier I have time to be still, walk, workout, and be out the door by 8am. So simple.

This week begins the next 10 week session and that will take me right up to my total hip replacement where I will then focus on healing.

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.”

-Jospeh Pilates

My Introverted Self

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I love people—I really do. But I also love taking care of my introverted self and my favorite way to do that is to go into the forest. To commune with the trees and be totally at peace and in oneness by the sights and sounds.

Research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, both mental and physical. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects that’s also free.

Health Benefits From Forests

Exposure to forests and trees:

  • boosts the immune system
  • lowers blood pressure
  • reduces stress
  • improves mood
  • increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
  • accelerates recovery from surgery or illness
  • increases energy level
  • improves sleep

Usually on Saturday mornings I take off on a solo hike and find that silent, yet so alive space. I usually visit one of my favorite tree friends I have ever known. She has been a friend for many years and though I haven’t gone to say hello in a long time, she still greets me with the same wonderful welcome. Over the years on this trail, I have played on the icy trails and I basked in the warm sun. I love to cross over the miles of Mother Earth and it usually is just what I need to refuel and get clarity on a few things weighing on me.

I love how the sound of my feet crunching the earth somehow brings the answers I have been seeking. It’s like the world stops for a moment and I can listen.

I am often reminded again just how blessed I am and how grateful I am that my life has unfolded in perfection. Just like the trees and how they know exactly when to let go and when to grow, I find myself in the same cycle.

During these solo walks I reconnect with the truth of myself. I find the quiet space between my thoughts. I receive all the goodness the trees offer.

Of course putting my hands on my favorite tree friend never hurts.