I was sipping my coffee this morning while reading Atlas of the Heart written by Brene Brown and was captured by this quote.
When I ventured out into the yoga world as a teacher I spent a few years trying to “fit in” to the culture of what I thought a yoga teacher was. I played the role and yet it never felt authentic.
As I gained confidence in myself and began to return home to my heart and found the deepest values that I hold dear to myself as a human, I stepped into my authentic self and realized belonging begins with me. I no longer strive to “fit in” or become someone I am not.
Instead, I am me. And I am outspoken and an advocate for others and I teach yoga from my heart, not from a book or a culture that promotes “perfection”.
I sat with a student yesterday who desperately wants to return home to her daughter but has no direction or plan to get there. She struggles with daily independent living and needs support to do the little things most of us overlook. The desperation in her eyes to find her purpose, to work and feel valued, and ultimately return to being a mom shook me. As I listened and reminded her that she has human rights to become her dreams and ambitions I realized that there I was living in my values. I was showing her what belonging means and in no way was I worried about what yoga is “supposed” to be.
Our yoga was pure union. Her and I were in union. I was in union with myself. And she was demonstrating grit in wanting to find her wholeness again and to find that belonging within herself.
Not sure which plant essential oil you need? Keep this handy chart tagged until you are familiar with which category does what. I tell people when they are learning to use essential oils is similar to learning to cook–in the beginning we need cookbooks and recipes but in time we become more confident and intuitively begin to know what we are doing. Essential oils are much the same. The more you use, the more you begin to know. Trusting yourself and listening to your body helps, too.
•when you have anything skin related, the FLORALS will help soothe and calm your skin’s irritants (burns, insect bites, cuts). FLORALS are also great for calming emotions and helping to reduce feelings of stress in the body and mind.
•when our bodies start to take on symptoms of an illness reach for your HERBS to help knock out the germs (thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, etc). These powerhouses work so well at helping the body return to health. Many herbs produce soothing and renewing feelings.
• the constitutes in TREES helps to relieve uncomfortable aches in the muscles and joints (cypress, Siberian Fir, Douglas Fir, birch). Emotionally TREES are grounding and balancing.
•when you find yourself feeling low, just reach high up on the tree for a CITRUS and feel the immediate lift both energetically and emotionally. CITRUS = happiness, plus CITRUS oils are detoxifying and cleansing for the body.
Check out this handy guide to learn more about the basics of essential oil use.
Last fall I started to increase my daily steps from an average of 18,000 (ish) a day to above 20,000. By mid spring and early summer I was hitting more like 25,000 steps a DAY walking. Many days l topped 30,00 steps and sometimes that was multiple days in a row.
I sustained that number for nearly 10 months and I am realizing a couple things by walking that many steps per day.
1) it takes on average 2.5 hours a day of deliberate walking to sustain that amount. I love walking probably more than anyone but giving up over two hours a day of my work and family life to reach that goal has been a lot.
2) I feel the same whether I walk 15,000 steps or 23,000. My body literally feels the same. Is more always better?
3) I let several balls drop these last 10 months. Some of them needed to be dropped but others have felt the impact of me not having that extra hour to give. I try to work while I walk—listen to podcasts, plan lessons, write blogs posts but the truth is while I am excellent at multitasking, is multitasking excellent for me?
4) Other areas of my life have been left dry because of my lack of attention to them while I have focused on steps. Meal prep, social connection, down time to name a few. It’s basically really hard to work full time, commute hours at a time and still find 2-4 hours a day to walk two to four hours a day that and strength train multiple times a week.
I was planning to finish this year with the same tenacity but my heart is saying to let it go. My body has trimmed up and toned up. I am leaner than I have ever been in my adult life. But, it’s time to celebrate ten months of incredible dedication and now, stop. Breathe. Let it go. Release the grip. Walk when I want to walk. Unroll a yoga mat instead. Read a book. Sit.
I am so proud of my body. So proud of all she has overcome. I will never take for granted a mile or a even a step again.
Gosh did I ever learn a lot about these five pillars this week.
Did you know that while our life span is greater, our HEALTH span is lower. This means that most Americans live on average the last EIGHT years of the their life struggling with disease.
Who cares about living longer if your quality of living is suffering? I learned recently that while our life span is increasing, our HEALTH span is decreasing which means in average Americans are spending the last 8 years suffering with disease. What??
So what if we are living longer if we aren’t living better? I know for me I want better stress response, better sleep, more energy, better recovery after workouts and overall vitality.
I am so excited to start targeting my own health span with proper supplementation and increasing my nutrition profile. (I tend to not eat much and probably am not fueling my body optimally, especially given how much I work out).
I can’t wait to step up my game and watch the results. The science and research that is supporting this pillar of health model is astounding.
My daughter has struggled with her weight and her body’s response to carbs since she was 10 years old. She comes from a family of similar medical history and her dad died at an early age due to health complications.
Lindsey has been able to drop her some of the numbers that doctors look at when managing a healthy metabolic function, but only slightly and has been on medication for MANY years now to help her.
Some of the side effects of her medication have NOT been good. And controlling her diet has been hard, too. She is a lover of all things carbs. Since she also has an intellectual/cognitive disability making good choices food wise takes a lot of support from me.
I am so excited Sri try something new that I read about recently regarding Berberine… one of the amazing ingredients in the new doTEERA MetaPWR Assist.
To say I am excited and hopeful, is an understatement!!!
The new product is a natural option to the medication she has been on for years.
Here a little info:
I want to show some insight and excitement for MetaPWR assist.
•We’ve been discussing a lot about NMN, NAD+ and collagen in MetaPWR advantage, but I’d like to bring your attention to Berberine in MetaPWR assist (not just a carb blocker)
• One of the ingredients in MetaPWR assist is Berberine.
• In terms of longevity, Berberine is a valid alternative to some metabolic supporting medications*
Berberine binds to complex one and reduces energy in the body and make the body more sensitive to insulin and lower blood glucose. The doses in the human clinical studies are 1-2 g per day (1,000mg – 2,000mg per day) Berberine -Activates AMPK -Increases Mitochondrial Energy
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult with your physician.
improve insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose. Berberine also significantly increased lifespan in mice
Note: MetaPWR Assist more than berberine, it contains the newly formulated MetaPWR EO blend, Mulberry extract (5% DNJ), and Cinnamon.
I am SO excited for her. I can’t wait to also jump into this program because although I am thin and my sugars are fine, I struggle with sleep, energy and eating to fuel my body—which this will also help!
When we focus on these five pillars of health our HEALTH span increases. Who is ready to find the proper supplementation to manage their metabolic health? This system is the is truly three simple steps plus healthy habits.
Regardless if you’re on the heavy side or thin like me, everyone can benefits from this! I have a special education and mentoring group I can plug you into if you’re interested! Just contact me! You’ll want to stay connected as more info will soon be coming!
This is everything that is fall! Warmth, coziness, spices and everything apple.
This super simple recipe can be done in an air fryer or a traditional oven — the oven is my personal favorite because the entire house smells like all the amazing fall smells we all love.
Evenly divided the filling between the four apple halves
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or air then at 350 for 13-15 minutes
Top with extra cinnamon and drizzled honey for an added punch
Remember to only use essential oils that are certified pure. One way to tell if they are pure is your bottle will have a supplement facts on the side. If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t recommend taking internally because it is likely not pure and therefore not safe.
Curious the brand I love and trust along with hospitals across the country? Plus they are making a global impact on reducing poverty and building lives for villages and farmers.
This little lady gave me quite a smile this morning when I sat out on my back porch for coffee. The color! This beautiful honeysuckle was a last minute purchase about a month ago since the gardening season is just about over here in Colorado. When I walk between classes near one of the group homes I teach at there is a house with a few growing along the fence and I decided I needed one. ?
I didn’t realize that honeysuckles can be so pink in color—I have only seen yellow or orange ones, and I didn’t know they would keep blooming past springtime.
I did some digging and this is what I found out about them—
The honeysuckle is a symbol of pure happiness. In addition, it conveys messages of sweetness and affection, thanks to the sweet smelling aroma it gives off. At its heaviest interpretation, the honeysuckle represents the flames of love, and the tenderness for love that has been lost. The honeysuckle will literally cling to whatever it is growing next to, resembling a lover’s embrace, and therefore giving the appropriate symbolism.
Honeysuckle can be used for abundance, learning, concentration, affection, protection, devoted love, wishes, wealth, intuition, clarity, clairvoyance, fidelity, attraction, divination, physical ability, prosperity, secrets, calm, change, confidence, creativity, the mind, peace, generosity, destiny, breaking hexes, honesty, inspiration, and balance.
“Hello, I’m a dandelion. A lot of people call me a weed but I’m a friend and come to help you!
When you see me, remember that I’m the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:
Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.
Or there is too little calcium in the soil – don’t worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.
Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance. Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course. ?
I’m here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise!
Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.
You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I’m far from ready but if they all reach up then I’m already a long way on my way.
Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you.
During the day when it’s hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it’s not hot enough during the day I won’t open them at all!
My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them! ?
My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ??honey (or gold) of the poor?? because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes – check them out.
But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don’t pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!”
Text By Paula Kok – De Boer Illustration By Juliste Cavallini
Inside my Little Black Book of Essentials, I keep a variety of blends spanning from blends from littles, to the classic blends you will use every day, and these next few days we’ll be talking about The Athlete (aka blends and products to support your muscles, tendons, and bones).
Whether you have an affliction for a backyard game of football or you roll your ankle at the slightest uneven sidewalk, when your tendons s t r e t c h just a bit too far, this blend offers the most relief.
I apply this one to my shoulders, neck, hips and low back as soon as I feel the tension coming.
Mix together in a 10 mL roller and top with your favorite carrier oil. Roll this on as needed.
If you have someone who loves playing sports (or is just accident prone), make sure they have this blend and a Deep Blue Stick for the support!
Oh, and not only are these oils amazing for muscle strain they have tons of they benefits and uses like supporting the skin, enhancing your mood, add lemongrass or marjoram to your favorite dishes and much more! This ebook explains all the ways to use pure essential oils. When you take that step towards wellness I will personally reach out and offer you a free wellness consult and plug you into my ongoing education and community!
Do you know the most important part of a house? What about a tree?
Is it the big windows and fancy backyard? Is it the glorious leaves and fruit? Or is it the foundation and the roots?
What’s the most important part of YOU? I believe it isn’t the material gains, titles, how much you weigh, how fast you can run, the size of you bank account, the size of your home, how much weight you can lift, your boundaries or how smart your kids are.
It’s the depth of WHO you are and how you show up in the world. It’s your values that lead you down the path. It’s the beliefs you hold most dear to yourself. It’s the way you treat yourself and others.
Not sure what values make up your foundation or your roots? If you don’t know yourself that well, it’s likely your behaviors and choices aren’t aligning with your best self and you’re often struggling in relationships and in life. A few years ago I wrote my ten principlesthat guide my decisions. These values make up my tree roots that sustain me during trying times.
Truth.
Thanks for reading my #tedtalk of the day and reach out if your life can’t seem to withstand the storms. It’s likely you have a rotten root or a weak foundation wall.
Another day, another Classic. This is one I can’t live without. Supported airways. All the back to school stuff that goes around and seasonal changes can make breathing a little difficult. I am in and out of assisted living homes all day and keep a stash of Breathe essential oil in my bag just in case I encounter some stuffiness or smells that do not sit well with my nose. It’s amazing how well it works!
You can use a few different options:
? The Classic: Breathe– a beautiful blend of Laurel, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Ravensara–maintains clear airways, supports restful sleep, and supports you through seasonal threats
? The NEW Classic: Diffuse equal parts Frankincense + Lime + Douglas Fir in the diffuser at bedtime to beat the stuffy and full head feeling.
? PRO TIP? Add DigestZen, Breathe, Frankincense and Lime to a roller for ultra support–roll over your sinuses and your chest for clearer airways from the first inhale.
What’s your go-to sinus and respiratory support blend? Have you tried a sinus steam or neti pot before?
It seems many people have opinions on other peoples business model, and the two most common statements I get as it relates to my yoga business is 1) I’d never drive that far for a class or student, and 2) I would never teach a class for that little of a rate (usually followed by a laundry list of all the trainings and education they have).
Here’s the thing. I’m not in it for the money, but the money is always there. I’m not in it for the fame although I am booked solid week after week and literally have no room in my schedule for more. I’m not in it for the ego, yet I know that I make an incredible difference in the lives of many.
Why do I drive hundreds of miles a day only to find my student still in bed because staff didn’t bother to wake him up? Because I said I would and because when he did decide to get up, together we created a beautiful session that included him doing something he hasn’t done in decades. This incredibly special student was injured at age 25 and his college roommate continues to write him a letter every single week and they are now in their mid 50’s. My student actually wrote him a letter back! Remember, yoga is defined as union and it doesn’t have to include pretzel shapes with our bodies.
I do it because it is service—which to me is defined as doing something without an attachment to personal gain. I do it because it is my gift. It is purpose. I do it because this is the manifesto my business and life is structured around.
The minute I start calculating how much money I am going to make, I have stepped out of service.
And do you want to know what? The money is always there.
I’d much rather show up within the foundation of my manifesto than seek out fame and fortune. That isn’t what I am about. I am about service and becoming the best version of myself through those I humbly serve.
