Stephanie Spence's Blog, page 3
January 30, 2020
Is Yoga Dead?
I’m excited to share my latest discovery with you; the Yoga is Dead podcast creators; Jasal Parikh and Tejal Patel as they “expose the dirty underbelly of the yoga industry” – As a naturally thin white blonde female (who also happens to be a yoga teacher) I could conceivably be closed minded to the idea that I am “part of the problem” just from the title of their fist podcast: “White Women Killed Yoga” before listening to what these two trailblazers are trying to educate me on, but I encourage all of us to be open to listening to, and deeply understanding, all the complexities of the ongoing global conversation around how yoga is growing and changing – for ALL of us. I caught up with these two brave people who are hoping that each episode will “make you think very hard and reconsider opinions and positions” as I am celebrating practicing yoga for forty years on my around the world YogaRoadTrip2.0 promoting my award-winning yoga book. The reason for the shameless plug for my book is because of my ongoing commitment in my book, and mission to spread inspiration for people to practice yoga, that inclusivity is important to me and my readers. I applaud the mission of this podcast and hope you will check them out and listen for yourself. Following is my Q&A with Jesal and Tejal: 1. There's a ton of yoga podcasts out there. What's Your Podcast All About? Why do you think yours is unique? Jesal: Yoga is Dead is a revolutionary podcast that explores power, privilege, fair pay, harassment, race, cultural appropriation and capitalism in the yoga and wellness worlds. We wanted to expose what we call “the monsters lurking under the yoga mat” - the issues that as an industry, we ignore because they don’t fall into the happy, glossy, peaceful image that the industry wants to project. Our podcast is different in a number of ways. Most other yoga or wellness podcasts tend to focus more on superficial industry events, try to promote a wellness lifestyle to its listeners or are conducted in interview format. We don’t do any of those things. Instead, we like to think of ourselves as similar to “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” in that we present a cohesive narrative on an issue we think deserves addressing and we use research, history, and humor to help us tell that story. With each episode, we try to go the extra mile by providing actionable solutions and tips for our audience from the lens of yoga practitioners, yoga teachers and studios/business owners. Tejal: We believe as Indian American women we offer a valuable perspective about yoga that is missing from most mainstream media. And we both had parents that migrated from India, we were raised in Hindu households, and studied yoga in India and America. It’s already so rare to see people of color, let alone Indian people be at the front of conversations around wellness and yoga so we’ve tried not to dilute our message by bringing other voices into the picture. We research our subject matter, a lot, which gives our podcast an investigative journalist vibe I find is different than many interview style podcasts. Beyond what you can hear, we offer tons of resources for the listener to continue learning. We have a website that houses extensive episode resources that we frequently update. We include our source articles and deep dives into topics we’ve introduced in the episode. Another part of our strategy is to utilize social media to post images that range from thought-provoking questions, to edgy statements, to tips for the community. These images feature large, legible text in bold colors, and are easily shareable by the reader. All of this, has created a very engaged community! 2. Where do you see yoga in 5 years in the United States? Jesal: I think for the past 70 or so years, yoga has spread so rapidly in the U.S. that there’s hardly been a moment to pause and really take stock of how it was growing, who was being included, who was being excluded, and how the growth of yoga in the U.S. differed dramatically from how yoga has historically spread throughout the South Asian subcontinent. But I think we’ve reached a sort of pivotal movement where people are starting to take stock and, because of tools like the internet and social media, a more diverse group of people is able to be seen and heard in this industry. So I think the next 5 years is going to be a continuation of what has just begun. More awareness around the issues we are bringing up in our podcast. Diverse folks being given or making their own opportunities to be platformed. More inclusiveness within existing yoga spaces and platforms. And with that, what I hope to see is greater equity in the distribution of power, wealth, social status, prestige, etc. Tejal: I agree with Jesal! I see a continuation of the spread of yoga. Now that so many people have studied yoga in America, we just might have enough people to skillfully teach people with therapeutic, mobility, and accessibility needs that could really benefit from yoga. That’s the beauty of yoga having increased in popularity. But just like any growing industry, yoga is experiencing a shift with some of the larger yoga institutes closing their doors in NYC because people aren’t all that interested in practicing within monoliths in rigid routines. There’s a shift towards community again, which we lost when the venture capitalists decided yoga was easy money. And there’s an awareness being brought back into the conversation of who gets to access yoga? People are noticing more and more where their studio management and roster lacks diversity. More people of color are speaking up about power dynamics and prejudice and building their own brands. And the field of experts is becoming more inclusive and diverse. I think the conversation around cultural appropriation and yoga is gaining traction and visibility. I’m eager to bring more people into that conversation myself! I believe the increased awareness and accountability people gain from being educated around the origin, history and authenticity of yoga uplevels the yoga experience for everyone involved. I personally am so eager to see where the yoga in the US is headed! 3. What has yoga taught you about yourself? Jesal: Yoga has taught be so much, but I’ll give you my top five. Mind you, these are all works in progress. I don’t claim to have mastered any of it. But I’ll just say that without yoga I’d be much worse off. Understanding how getting me getting “worked up” doesn’t necessarily change a situation. I’m learning to either be more solution-oriented or to just accept unchangeable situations much more quickly than I’d otherwise be inclined to. To not avoid conflict thinking it’s somehow going to go away. Being passive aggressive or trying to skirt around big issues to “keep the peace” just never works because it usually ends up in me feeling resentful and bottling up my emotions and then having a blow-up of those emotions later. This happens a lot more infrequently as I am learning to address things as they come up (though I fully admit sometimes I still struggle with what’s ‘worth it’ to bring up). Yoga has taught be compassion in a way that I don’t think I’d have come to on my own. To really try to understand someone else’s perspective, life experience, needs, struggles, and emotional reality. To take action against injustice. I think it’s easy to react, numb out or get caught up in emotion. But more often than not these days, I find myself asking, “how can I turn this negative feeling into positive change?” Gratitude. I know this is cliché. But I think it’s very easy to get wrapped up in excessive materialism. Especially in a place like New York City. I have seen in myself and in friends the feeling of material “inadequacy” having a really strong, negative, emotional impact. A gratitude practice helps me remember that I have enough and that I have everything that I need. And that the rest is just a bonus. Tejal: Yoga for me is the practical application of the phrase “do what you love”. When I decided to study yoga, I felt a connection to all the unknown pieces of my lineage, parts of my heritage that I thought were lost to me forever because I wasn’t able to communicate with my family about my questions. So the practice continues to teach me more about myself in profound and deep ways. Yoga teaches me to celebrate life and community because yoga has taught me the meaning of connection. Through yoga I have learned sincerity, radical honesty, and deep listening. I’ll admit in the hustle of being a yoga teacher, sometimes these massive yet profound lessons get lost. But the beauty of my yoga practice is that I am constantly remembering what I’ve forgotten. 4. What has yoga taught you about life? Jesal: Mainly that life has its ups and downs. It’s taught me to savor the highs and be prepared for and less surprised by the lows. And to try to create a life that can sustain itself between these two poles. Tejal: That life will not go according to my plan and that’s ok! That in order to thrive, I need to be flexible, introspective, and non-reactive. And that working on these things will be my life’s work. - I encourage you to discover and learn more about these two either via their website and/or their Instagram feed: The Yoga Is Dead IG page or their personal pages - Jesal and Tejal.
Published on January 30, 2020 03:44
December 29, 2019
Are you a Yoga Teacher? Need inspiration?
Working on your 2020 goals? If so, you’ll want to listen to this Mastering the Business of Yoga (MBOm) podcast. In the episode Amanda and I discuss: • Why yoga teachers should not be afraid or ashamed of trying to grow their incomes • Realizing that designing a great life is a choice and it is up to you to take charge and do it • Realizing that what makes you unique is your greatest asset • The value of finding and learning from mentors (whether it’s from a distance or actively working with them) and • What THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON IS FOR A NEW YOGA TEACHER plus • Celebrating 40 years of practicing yoga with an around the world yoga trip • Yoga as a way to connect with people and cultures when you are traveling • How I found yoga as a way to help back pain from scoliosis • Why I started a blog about yoga, how that changed my practice, and why I think yoga teachers should have someplace to share their voice • How taking a “Yoga” Road Trip to visit different students and teachers led me to write a book (Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat, Nautilus Book Awards Winner) • A to Z of creating a book, finding an agent and publisher, and publishing a book • The challenges of marketing a book • (You can read reviews of my book on Amazon.) Here’s the episode • You can also find it on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play or anywhere that you get your podcasts. • You can also find it here Honored and grateful to be invited. Thank You Amanda. Amanda Kingsmith is a 500-hour RYT, a world traveler, a yoga business coach, and a podcast host. Amanda created Mastering the Business of Yoga in 2016 in an effort to help yoga teachers learn more about the business side of yoga and create sustainable yoga businesses that they love. You can learn more at www.mbomyoga.com.
Published on December 29, 2019 07:29
November 27, 2019
Empowering Women Through Yoga, Meditation & Real Conversation
Meet Alex Mazerolle, aka Ally Maz I met Ally Maz in Tokyo, Japan recently and so enjoyed the workshop she taught at Ignite Yoga Studio that I reached out again in Osaka at Wanderlust108. The conversation became all the more interesting when she shared her work with teens that I decided I must share her with you. That way, if and/or when you can take a class with her I'll have honored my ongoing commitment to share with you the best yoga teachers, classes, studios, and festivals with you. "empowering women through yoga, meditation & conversation" is the mission statement on Ally's website. A nobel quest. Without further ink, here's my brief Q&A with Ally: SS: Tell me about your work with teens? AM: I founded my company Girlvana Yoga a decade ago with the mission to support teen girls through yoga, meditation and mentorship. It started off as classes in high schools, then came the bi-annual week long yoga retreat and is now ( almost! ) a book. I see yoga as a way for young people to find their voice, to challenge societal norms and to heal themselves. It supports teens to find a way to love themselves, to celebrate their uniqueness and to elevate those around them instead of perpetuating "mean girl" behavior. The combination of yoga asana practice, meditation and breath work in combination with raw discussion about real topics teens are facing, the program is an extremely powerful way to empower youth! SS: What has yoga taught you about yourself? AM: In the early days of my practice, yoga showed me where I was being my own worst enemy. From there I discovered how to be on my own team and how to find compassion and gentleness with myself. Yoga was the gateway for so much healing. I overcame body image issues, an eating disorder and found ways to manage my anxiety. Yoga for me now is this beautiful dance with the Divine. It allows me to celebrate myself, to tend to my soul in a loving way and supports me living big in the world. SS: What has yoga taught you about life? AM: Yoga has taught me that nothing is permanent- everything changes. This truth allows me to enjoy the good when it's good and to know that the bad will pass. It helps me really appreciate the moment and the people in my life. I'm deeply fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community of wise and loving souls. Yoga teachers thrive when you do. Thank you for following along as we travel around the world sharing my love of yoga, promoting my book, and diving deep into other cultures. This I know: we are all one. I believe we must cultivate a greater sense of universal responsibility and kindness. We must learn to not just care for ourselves, our family, or our nation, but for the good of humanity. I'm blessed beyond measure to be celebrating my 40th year of practicing yoga. My current passion is talking and writing about taking you beyond the physical poses. Look again, in case you missed it, at my article about the difference between a good and great yoga teacher. Thank you Ally for inspiring me and countless others. Shine on. Namaste.
Published on November 27, 2019 04:49
October 11, 2019
6 Signs You’re Living Authentically
You decide who you are.
There is great peace and power in accountability. It’s soul-draining to feel like you’re living a lie. Are you hiding? I was. Sometimes we don’t recognize we’re doing this; I didn’t. Have you ever hidden how you really feel, saying things almost on autopilot (yet later reflecting it was simply what someone wanted to hear), or even doing things you don’t want to because you’ve been conditioned to think you should? It is understandable that most of us struggle, at least some of the time, with living our truth; authentically. I thought I was authentic but after deep soul searching I realize I was deeply afraid of what it would take to change my life, drastically. From your family of origin, teachers, and the society we grow up in we’re taught to be “good” – to fall in line with everyone else, to strive for perfection, and to avoid making any waves (or suffer the consequences). Who was taught to do as their told, instead of thinking for themselves? I was shamed for being too loud, to high energy, and was never allowed to express my feelings. Were you curious? Were you encouraged to foster that curiosity or creativity? If so, congratulations because you’re in a minority. Instead, most fill a “box” that is given to them along with their peers and praised for rote learning. In elementary school I would finish my work early and “bother” the other children because the work wasn’t difficult enough for me. The school system I was raised in at the time believed in the “no child left behind” rule so they taught to the slowest learner in the class. I was restless from too many constraints – physically and philosophically. Just memorizing facts was easy to regurgitate on tests, but I was not encouraged to think freely for myself. Were you? What I was encouraged to do, though, was to compare my accomplishments and progress with everyone. I bought into the idea that my value would be validated when I appeared successful (or producing something amazing) in relation to others. I don’t remember being exposed to the concept of seeking fulfillment from within myself; everything outside of myself was of great value. Add to this emotional, physical, spiritual, verbal, and sexual abuse all before the age of twenty and I was destined to be a people-pleasing, overachieving, perfectionist full of insecurity yet driven to prove to the world I was valuable. I became a great actress; a chameleon, a mask-wearing (albeit successful) CEO of my own company using my career as my main source of self-worth. I was defined by my titles. Mother, CEO, wife, daughter, friend; all of which filled every waking moment leaving little time for self-inquiry. I never stopped long enough to figure out what I felt or thought because I was busy. Busy trying to wrangle my monkey mind into a place that seemed peaceful, with yoga (which helped) – but not to the extent that I needed. Yoga was my healthiest tool, but not enough. It was a band-aid. A daily dose of calm in my ever-shifting life of complications, commitments, and demands. And all of this, I now see, I had “created” and “wanted” yet at the time I was so numb to my inner world I simply appeared to be happy all the time because of the smile I had worn my whole life. A smile that grew weary as time sped on. I felt like a lonely warrior. Alone, scared, and tired. My tool was isolating. I felt like no one really understood, accepted, knew me. But how could they when I didn’t even know myself? I crashed and started over. That life-transformation became my book, Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat and I’m grateful for that crash. I radically re-designed my life and am passionate about helping others avoid (or at least soften) the crash. I live a life of unlimited potential, on my terms. Hard work and self-love had allowed me to step into my dharma of educating and inspiring others to live a life where they feel whole. Real. Authentic. I live out loud and am grateful for the authentic, fulfilling relationships I now have. I derive joy from helping others. I don’t waste energy trying to be anything other than me. I’m free. In addition to being treated for all forms of abuse and PTSD, I have done a lot of work to design a life that fills me with joy. This meant facing my fears, digging deep into the conditioning that I was taught, and releasing (over and over again) old patterns that no longer serve me. With this in mind, I created this reminder of what it looks and feels like to be true to myself so I can refer back to it if ever I think I’ve lost my way. If you also value living your truth and freedom, perhaps this will be useful to you too. You know you’re living authentically if…. 1. You focus more on your own values than what society deems acceptable. It’s still a radical thought that you should place your health, dreams, desires, vision, and values first in your life. Of course you will want/need to place other relationships front and center at times, but the cliché of “securing your mask first” became a cliché for a reason. It’s healthy to take care of yourself. If you’re still living a script someone else handed you perhaps it’s time to reevaluate. Check in with yourself. Do you know how? I check in daily, using a journal, with my body, intellect, emotional self and spiritual self. I not only discern for myself how I feel, I also ask myself what I need that day. This is a daily priority. 2. By checking in with yourself, you can be honest with yourself about what you need, want, think and feel. Before you can be honest with anyone else you have to be honest with yourself. Make space in your life to connect with yourself, perhaps through yoga, meditation, journaling, or time in nature. This also means you may have to develop some new behaviors or emotional intelligence. Learn how to actively listen, have courageous conversations, leave toxic relationships, and develop deep and lasting relationships. You may stumble and fail at times, but the willingness to ask yourself questions most people spend their life avoiding will garner huge results. Add to your daily check-in questions using a reporter’s technique; why, what, how, and when. Ask yourself why you’re doing something, what you are getting from doing it, and how you want to show up as your best self (for yourself). If not now, when? Make a life plan and adjust when needed. Set personal goals. Evaluate your life, daily. 3. You freely share your thoughts and feelings, which includes saying no when it conflicts with your values. Even if it’s terrifying, push yourself to speak up. This one has been challenging, but critical, for me. I’ve yet to find anyone, as of this post, who isn’t afraid of being vulnerable yet also amazed at how freeing and empowering it can be. Your feelings, thoughts, dreams, values, time, ideas, creations, hopes, wishes, fears, concerns, etc., etc., are valid. You are valuable, as is. Sharing them in a safe place will ensure healing, health, and vitality. 4. You’ve learned to surround yourself with people who support and respect you, as is. Some people like you, some don’t; and that’s okay with you. You’ve developed an understanding that sometimes it’s NOT your stuff. Yes, you’re responsible and accountable for treating others with respect and kindness, always. Yet being disliked by some is a natural byproduct of being real and genuine. Spend time finding your tribe, you’ll be all the happier and healthier for it. It’s a proven fact that people who have developed a healthy community live longer, happier lives. More does not equal more in this case. Pick and choose your inner circle wisely. 5. You listen to your intuition and trust that you know what’s best for yourself, changing your mind if you recognize you made a choice that wasn’t right for you. Yoga is the best tool that I know of to learn how to listen to that wise voice inside of you. I’m confident you’ll enhance every aspect of your life by practicing yoga. I know of no better system for developing self-awareness. There will be times when outside people, places, and things will influence you (and perhaps divert you from listening to your own wisdom) yet being flexible in body, mind, and spirit will be reflected in your ability to shift and change your mind when needed. I’ve developed a connection to my inner voice that now has become my greatest champion. At times I still stumble into old patterns of thinking or behavior, yet am happy to report that the awareness that I’ve developed has allowed me to quickly recognize when this is happening and recalibrate to a state of pure potential, which I believe we are all meant to dwell in. 6. You allow yourself to evolve and let go of what you’ve outgrown. This is probably the hardest one of all because it’s not just about living your truth; it’s also about letting go. Even when you’ve developed a high tolerance for change, sometimes when you’re in it (or faced with uncertainty of something not of your making) being brave enough to embrace change can feel scary. That’s perfectly normal. The difference is when you’re accountable for the direction of your life that it can also feel like you’re living your life on purpose. This empowering way to exist can feel light and free. When change occurs, you understand that you have the capacity to move through life’s inevitable ups and downs with courage and grace. Hopefully you’ll dwell in a space that allows you to continue to grow and when you do start to feel stuck you’ll have the confidence to know that your feelings of helplessness are temporary. Getting into action is the key. How you do yoga is how you do life. Use it as a mirror to reflect and take your practice off the mat and into your day. By looking, examining, analyzing, adjusting your behaviors, recognizing and validating and dwelling in the wisdom of yoga you will continue to live an authentic life free to be you, perfect as you are.
There is great peace and power in accountability. It’s soul-draining to feel like you’re living a lie. Are you hiding? I was. Sometimes we don’t recognize we’re doing this; I didn’t. Have you ever hidden how you really feel, saying things almost on autopilot (yet later reflecting it was simply what someone wanted to hear), or even doing things you don’t want to because you’ve been conditioned to think you should? It is understandable that most of us struggle, at least some of the time, with living our truth; authentically. I thought I was authentic but after deep soul searching I realize I was deeply afraid of what it would take to change my life, drastically. From your family of origin, teachers, and the society we grow up in we’re taught to be “good” – to fall in line with everyone else, to strive for perfection, and to avoid making any waves (or suffer the consequences). Who was taught to do as their told, instead of thinking for themselves? I was shamed for being too loud, to high energy, and was never allowed to express my feelings. Were you curious? Were you encouraged to foster that curiosity or creativity? If so, congratulations because you’re in a minority. Instead, most fill a “box” that is given to them along with their peers and praised for rote learning. In elementary school I would finish my work early and “bother” the other children because the work wasn’t difficult enough for me. The school system I was raised in at the time believed in the “no child left behind” rule so they taught to the slowest learner in the class. I was restless from too many constraints – physically and philosophically. Just memorizing facts was easy to regurgitate on tests, but I was not encouraged to think freely for myself. Were you? What I was encouraged to do, though, was to compare my accomplishments and progress with everyone. I bought into the idea that my value would be validated when I appeared successful (or producing something amazing) in relation to others. I don’t remember being exposed to the concept of seeking fulfillment from within myself; everything outside of myself was of great value. Add to this emotional, physical, spiritual, verbal, and sexual abuse all before the age of twenty and I was destined to be a people-pleasing, overachieving, perfectionist full of insecurity yet driven to prove to the world I was valuable. I became a great actress; a chameleon, a mask-wearing (albeit successful) CEO of my own company using my career as my main source of self-worth. I was defined by my titles. Mother, CEO, wife, daughter, friend; all of which filled every waking moment leaving little time for self-inquiry. I never stopped long enough to figure out what I felt or thought because I was busy. Busy trying to wrangle my monkey mind into a place that seemed peaceful, with yoga (which helped) – but not to the extent that I needed. Yoga was my healthiest tool, but not enough. It was a band-aid. A daily dose of calm in my ever-shifting life of complications, commitments, and demands. And all of this, I now see, I had “created” and “wanted” yet at the time I was so numb to my inner world I simply appeared to be happy all the time because of the smile I had worn my whole life. A smile that grew weary as time sped on. I felt like a lonely warrior. Alone, scared, and tired. My tool was isolating. I felt like no one really understood, accepted, knew me. But how could they when I didn’t even know myself? I crashed and started over. That life-transformation became my book, Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat and I’m grateful for that crash. I radically re-designed my life and am passionate about helping others avoid (or at least soften) the crash. I live a life of unlimited potential, on my terms. Hard work and self-love had allowed me to step into my dharma of educating and inspiring others to live a life where they feel whole. Real. Authentic. I live out loud and am grateful for the authentic, fulfilling relationships I now have. I derive joy from helping others. I don’t waste energy trying to be anything other than me. I’m free. In addition to being treated for all forms of abuse and PTSD, I have done a lot of work to design a life that fills me with joy. This meant facing my fears, digging deep into the conditioning that I was taught, and releasing (over and over again) old patterns that no longer serve me. With this in mind, I created this reminder of what it looks and feels like to be true to myself so I can refer back to it if ever I think I’ve lost my way. If you also value living your truth and freedom, perhaps this will be useful to you too. You know you’re living authentically if…. 1. You focus more on your own values than what society deems acceptable. It’s still a radical thought that you should place your health, dreams, desires, vision, and values first in your life. Of course you will want/need to place other relationships front and center at times, but the cliché of “securing your mask first” became a cliché for a reason. It’s healthy to take care of yourself. If you’re still living a script someone else handed you perhaps it’s time to reevaluate. Check in with yourself. Do you know how? I check in daily, using a journal, with my body, intellect, emotional self and spiritual self. I not only discern for myself how I feel, I also ask myself what I need that day. This is a daily priority. 2. By checking in with yourself, you can be honest with yourself about what you need, want, think and feel. Before you can be honest with anyone else you have to be honest with yourself. Make space in your life to connect with yourself, perhaps through yoga, meditation, journaling, or time in nature. This also means you may have to develop some new behaviors or emotional intelligence. Learn how to actively listen, have courageous conversations, leave toxic relationships, and develop deep and lasting relationships. You may stumble and fail at times, but the willingness to ask yourself questions most people spend their life avoiding will garner huge results. Add to your daily check-in questions using a reporter’s technique; why, what, how, and when. Ask yourself why you’re doing something, what you are getting from doing it, and how you want to show up as your best self (for yourself). If not now, when? Make a life plan and adjust when needed. Set personal goals. Evaluate your life, daily. 3. You freely share your thoughts and feelings, which includes saying no when it conflicts with your values. Even if it’s terrifying, push yourself to speak up. This one has been challenging, but critical, for me. I’ve yet to find anyone, as of this post, who isn’t afraid of being vulnerable yet also amazed at how freeing and empowering it can be. Your feelings, thoughts, dreams, values, time, ideas, creations, hopes, wishes, fears, concerns, etc., etc., are valid. You are valuable, as is. Sharing them in a safe place will ensure healing, health, and vitality. 4. You’ve learned to surround yourself with people who support and respect you, as is. Some people like you, some don’t; and that’s okay with you. You’ve developed an understanding that sometimes it’s NOT your stuff. Yes, you’re responsible and accountable for treating others with respect and kindness, always. Yet being disliked by some is a natural byproduct of being real and genuine. Spend time finding your tribe, you’ll be all the happier and healthier for it. It’s a proven fact that people who have developed a healthy community live longer, happier lives. More does not equal more in this case. Pick and choose your inner circle wisely. 5. You listen to your intuition and trust that you know what’s best for yourself, changing your mind if you recognize you made a choice that wasn’t right for you. Yoga is the best tool that I know of to learn how to listen to that wise voice inside of you. I’m confident you’ll enhance every aspect of your life by practicing yoga. I know of no better system for developing self-awareness. There will be times when outside people, places, and things will influence you (and perhaps divert you from listening to your own wisdom) yet being flexible in body, mind, and spirit will be reflected in your ability to shift and change your mind when needed. I’ve developed a connection to my inner voice that now has become my greatest champion. At times I still stumble into old patterns of thinking or behavior, yet am happy to report that the awareness that I’ve developed has allowed me to quickly recognize when this is happening and recalibrate to a state of pure potential, which I believe we are all meant to dwell in. 6. You allow yourself to evolve and let go of what you’ve outgrown. This is probably the hardest one of all because it’s not just about living your truth; it’s also about letting go. Even when you’ve developed a high tolerance for change, sometimes when you’re in it (or faced with uncertainty of something not of your making) being brave enough to embrace change can feel scary. That’s perfectly normal. The difference is when you’re accountable for the direction of your life that it can also feel like you’re living your life on purpose. This empowering way to exist can feel light and free. When change occurs, you understand that you have the capacity to move through life’s inevitable ups and downs with courage and grace. Hopefully you’ll dwell in a space that allows you to continue to grow and when you do start to feel stuck you’ll have the confidence to know that your feelings of helplessness are temporary. Getting into action is the key. How you do yoga is how you do life. Use it as a mirror to reflect and take your practice off the mat and into your day. By looking, examining, analyzing, adjusting your behaviors, recognizing and validating and dwelling in the wisdom of yoga you will continue to live an authentic life free to be you, perfect as you are.
Published on October 11, 2019 23:32
September 14, 2019
11 questions to ask yourself while looking for a great yoga teacher
Passionate about sharing exceptional yoga experiences with you so that you can get to your mat faster, I continue to excavate my vault of memories from forty years of practicing. Sitting in my hotel room in Bangkok waiting to be interviewed for a business of yoga podcast, I have to dig deep to remember what questions or concerns I had in the first ten years of practice. I do this so that I can hopefully cut through a lot of the noise of this ever changing global yoga landscape. The information age has exposed more and more people to yoga, but the intimacy that you need with a teacher continues to be part of my recommendation for building a practice you love and will return to daily. With that in mind, I remain committed to sourcing out the real deal teachers; passionate, loving, certified yoga teachers who have the education, wisdom, experience and expertise to give you the full body, mind, and spirit system of living. If not, then it’s simply an exercise class moving your body in shapes that look like yoga poses. I also am committed to sourcing out the real deal yoga studios. If not (as I mentioned in my last post) then “…I can’t help but wonder with every gym in America now offering yoga classes why anyone is going to join a so-so yoga studio that doesn’t offer all of the other incredible amenities and opportunities a full-blown health club does?” Before I left Singapore I visited Yoga+. I’m happy to report that Yoga+ is affordable and offers great yoga classes. I had an exceptional teacher, Veron Alexis Ong. She showed deep concern for helping her students and I was inspired by her knowledge. I came away very impressed with her individual attention she gave to each student. Yoga+ clearly cares passionately about giving their students what they promise as their mission statement; “Yoga+ aims to expand its students’ experiences beyond the yoga mat following the ‘three-pillar’ experience, which is designed to teach them mindful living, inspire creative expression, and raise social awareness.” I highly recommend their studio. . You want to get the most out of your yoga experience, right? I’ve got the secret. Just reading and embodying the idea that yoga brings magic to your life encourages us to get to yoga daily. But where are you going wrong? You’re in a one-way relationship. That never works. Here’s the secret: carve out the time to stop and really find a GREAT yoga teacher. Why settle for a good one. I encourage you to shoot for great. Why? Because with the majority of studios focusing on teacher training classes in the last ten years there is a surplus of new yoga teachers out there. But are they great? You shouldn’t just take my word for it. I've interviewed hundreds of yoga teachers. They’re all cut from the same cloth: They became teachers because they love helping people. They want to see you grow. But there is caring (and good) and then there is an exceptional teacher. There is a difference. I became so obsessed with learning why, I rented an RV and embarked on a Yoga Road Trip. One my Yoga Road Trip, I traveled up the west coast of the United States practicing with and interviewing a different yoga teacher every day. That became my book, “Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat”. I learned from some of the teachers that I interviewed that most of the students in their class had not introduced themselves to them. That’s why I decided to introduce students to the teachers. The teachers in my book are dedicated to your growth. They thrive when you do. They want you to love your experience on your journey. That is why they teach yoga. So the one thing you can do for yourself is source out an exceptional yoga teacher. It won’t simply be a class any more, you (and the teacher) will be accountable. Yoga is the most powerful system I know to offer you a lifetime of less stress and a healthy direction for a balanced life. You are designing your life. Accepting accountability, your life begins to change. Your reality is created by the choices you are making. What are you waiting for? Reach down deep into your heart and ask yourself if you are worth it. You are. When you decide that you want an exceptional yoga teacher, do the work. Here's a couple of things to think about as you're out looking for a great teacher. Top 11 questions to ask yourself while looking for a great yoga teacher: 1. Do you immediately feel like you have been welcomed into a caring, safe, loving community? 2. Do they help you sort out and clarify your values? 3. Do you feel like they are helping you achieve a better, richer life? Strength and flexibility are guaranteed in a great yoga class, but it’s the mental benefits that will keep you coming back for more. 4. Is your teacher working hard to get you moving toward what you desire quickly? 5. Do you feeling like they are an expert at changing behavior or simply showing you how to move your body? 6. Are you finding out things about yourself? Great teachers point the way, allowing you to discover insights for yourself. 7. Even if you are comfortable, yoga and a “real deal” teacher can help you step out of your comfort zone. Here’s the truth: there’s only growth when you are out of your comfort zone. Great teachers make change attainable in a safe way. Is yours? 8. A yoga teacher will hold space for you to name your fears, give you tools to act despite them, and change the way you feel about them. Is yours? 9. A great teacher will show you how to listen to your intuition and apply that to your life. Is yours? 10. Do they validate your success and progress? If so, that can be incredibly empowering. Your success should be acknowledged and celebrated. 11. If you have been engaging in destructive behaviors you should feel welcome. A great teacher will help you get yourself back on track. A great teacher can guide you back to a healthy path. To have the courage to ask for help is a sign of someone who is ready to do the work. A teacher can listen to your issues in an unbiased and supportive manner, and help you with an action plan. And if you’re just starting and/or making a change to find a new teacher make sure and check their credentials. Do your homework. Ask the studio or gym if they are certified. Certifications matter. Even if it’s yoga in the park that you found on a social site, they should be proud to share with you how long they have been teaching, where they studied, and who they are certified by. In the social online world, there are many self taught peacocks posing in dangerous positions because they saw someone else do it and calling themselves a teacher. Proper alignment and attention could make all the difference in how long you practice. You don’t want torn muscles, blown out shoulders, or your knees replaced because of unhealthy sequencing. Learn from the best and you’ll practice for life. Once you’ve studied your roadmap, you’re on your way to living a life full of potential. Here in Bangkok I’ve selected a couple of studios to check out. First on my list, Divine Yoga.
Published on September 14, 2019 18:40
September 7, 2019
The Crazy thing I experienced in the city where Crazy Rich Asians was filmed
With a personal history of quirky relatives, dealing with jealous socialites (in my past) and navigating endless hours in high end malls with my shopping obsessed ex-husband, I’m certainly grateful to say I don’t have to deal with a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be in my world. But traveling to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without mentioning what Crazy Rich Asian thing I experienced. Crazy, and totally unnecessary. Arriving in Singapore with limited expectations of the yoga community, I felt compelled to check out a yoga studio created by a man that I interviewed for my book. This post is in no way reflective of him personally yet my connection to him needs to be stated up front because I believe his intentions to bring great yoga to his community is still in line with the core ethics of yoga principles. The studio is Pure Yoga. With studios in Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, and New York City Pure Yoga is no small enterprise. As always, I plan my visit without indicating to anyone that I will be writing about the studio. Each yoga community I visit around the world allows for special considerations based on local culture, attitudes, and lifestyle demands. That’s the complicated answer. The simple question I keep asking myself, though, is “Isn’t yoga essentially supposed to be something that anyone can do?” Yoga at Pure, though, is exclusionary. Why? The price. As I arrived and said I wanted to buy a week of classes, the receptionist stated that the smallest way I could buy a package was six months. I explained that I was shopping for a new studio (which makes incredible sense that I would walk in considering the studio is in the Central Business District mall with countless high rises in the area). Stressing that I really wanted to try the studio out before I committed to a long-term contract I asked for a one time drop in. Hesitating, she quoted the fee of $65 (Singapore dollars). I thanked her and left, stating that I would return that evening for the class. As we explored this vibrant, intriguing, incredible city with countless cultural and fun experiences that day I contemplated not returning to try a class. In fact, the idea of passing on my visit was distracting me all day. Why? Because I fundamentally believe that yoga should be available to everyone. Not just the rich. Should good health (mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) have a high price tag? I think not. Historically the wealthy have had better access to healthcare, yet money alone does not buy you good health (think Steve Jobs). I did return, though, because I contemplated the idea that perhaps they had figured out a way to offer something that every other studio I had visited had not. So, I went. As I registered, though, a red flag appeared when I filled out the less-than-standard -ooking waiver sign in sheet. It was an exhaustive sales tool clearly leading to a salesperson calling to try and upsell the class. The person who checked me in was different than the person I had met earlier. She charged me $56 (which roughly translated to $45 US Dollars). The most I have ever paid for a drop-in class in the United States is $25. My expectations were huge. I valued my expectations based on the fee I paid. Was the studio clean? Yes. Was there the standard studio-chain juice bar and ability to purchase yoga clothes? Yes. But, I thought, there’s still the teacher… The teacher was good, but not great. That was disappointing. The class was an hour. It was billed as Ashtanga but condensing the Primary Series into an hour doesn’t allow for everything (and there were no adjustments). I still continue to yearn for hour and a half long “traditional” yoga classes that don’t cram more into less time because it continues to feel like yoga (in studios like this) are becoming gym classes with movements that look like yoga poses. And I thought, wrongly, that this was only a problem in the United States. The next day I could not get this out of my mind. I asked myself “What was really missing for me?” The feeling that I was being welcomed into a community. I felt like I was visiting a hard sell Bally’s Gym back in the 1070’s joining based on being the first chain to really make a go of big box fitness concept. Funny to think that my most memorable experience at Bally’s was working out with Farrah Faucet next to me (in full makeup of course). It was Houston, Texas y’all. Seriously, though, I can’t help but wonder with every gym in America now offering yoga classes why anyone is going to join a so-so yoga studio that doesn’t offer all of the other incredible amenities and opportunities a full-blown health club does? That, clearly, is another article waiting to happen. Stay tuned. My recommendation; it’s crazy to pay crazy prices for a less than epic yoga experience when affordable great yoga is nearby. Based on a quick search online, I found a great article simply by typing in “Affordable yoga in Singapore”. Based on the number of editorial pieces I found, I wasn’t the only one thinking I was taking crazy pills. I selected Yoga+ not based on the price in the article but this: “…Yoga+ also aims to expand its students’ experiences beyond the yoga mat following the ‘three-pillar’ experience, which is designed to teach them mindful living, inspire creative expression, and raise social awareness.” For my review of Yoga+ stay tuned…
Published on September 07, 2019 21:08
September 2, 2019
Yoga, Cold Showers, Nature In New Zealand
Attempting to keep a post short after a month in New Zealand in a campervan is challenging, so I’ll keep it light and simple like a Yin Yoga class. Each day of travel brought picture perfect natural settings just begging to be enjoyed. We traveled clockwise around the South Island (out of Christchurch) hiking 104 kms during the month and putting 3,525.7 kms on our Maui campervan (decorated with lights, of course) we named Kathy. I practiced yoga in many shared spaces. Most unique was in a theater company. The teachers were all incredibly welcoming. Yes, the Kiwi people pride themselves on friendliness – but you know I’m especially partial to getting YoginiHugs around the world. The teachers I met were certified, professional, loving and deeply committed to their students. My only criticism was that the studios were so cold I was unable to remove sweaters and socks except in one studio. We were here at the beginning of Spring, but most mornings we awoke to low 40 degrees. My recommendation for studio to visit while on the South Island is Flow Hot Yoga in Christchurch. Many classes to choose from, although not nearly as many as most Americans are used to. What I loved, though, was that all of the classes in New Zealand were slower paced. They’re not trying to fit in 100’s of poses here. It reminds me of yoga in the USA about 10 years ago. The teachers oftentimes stopped, discussed a pose or why we were doing it, and the students asked questions. I rarely see that anymore in the US unless it’s a workshop. The country is set up for campervans. I hated the cold shower rooms. The water was hot and the rooms were clean, so it was a great relief when we arrived back in Christchurch at The George hotel (which we highly recommend). Michael and I fall into such a beautiful rhythm in our tiny moving home. If you can’t do a campervan in New Zealand for a month with someone, you simply shouldn’t be together. Tiny, yet functional. If you enjoy nature and outdoor fun (like our day of muddy off-roading in a quad) then this is a trip you’ll want to take. Christchurch is in a massive stage of reinvention. After two devastating earthquakes the downtown area has 90% new buildings. The positive energy is intriguing and inspiring. We highly recommend spending a couple of days there. Random thoughts: 1. Noticeable number of women traveling solo. Very inspiring. 2. Incredibly kind people. The three times we pulled over, someone immediately pulled over and asked if we were ok and if we needed help 3. I love driving on “the wrong side” of the road. Incredibly narrow, winding roads. If you get car sick easily be warned. Constant road work because of landslides. 4. We became very accustomed to solitude. Very few people here. What a treat. 5. Favorite treats on the hikes were the waterfalls and the swing bridges. Hundreds of bridges. One of the reasons we returned to NZ is because the trails are very well marked and groomed. 6. Lack of vegetables and fruit. Perhaps it was the time of year we visited? 7. 1st time to see hops farms 8. While the burning rainforest in the Amazon jungle was front and center in our news feed we were seeing first-hand how climate change is affecting the glaciers. Our first time to hike a glacier. Must experience for yourself. 9. If you’re an adrenaline junkie Queenstown in your place to be. 10. Most intense moment for me: I met a man while doing laundry that was traveling with his two small boys and his father. He asked about my lights and decorating of our campervan. I said we were celebrating life. His wife died a year ago. He is searching. I told him: "after a great loss - when you really do your inner work,
you start to open up to life again. you cry when things are sad, and you cry when they are beautiful. you find that you've regained a sensitivity, and a reverence, for
life. you worry about others, not just yourself. you feel
fear and terror and beauty and rage; but it is possible
to feel joy at the same time. this does not mean that
you are never broken open again, because life will
continue to happen.
it means that you are finally,
finally healed.
your happy memories are no longer eclipsed by your dark ones. .
go through the process, be very kind to yourself, breathe, get to yoga." - Off to Singapore. Stay tuned. Namaste.
you start to open up to life again. you cry when things are sad, and you cry when they are beautiful. you find that you've regained a sensitivity, and a reverence, for
life. you worry about others, not just yourself. you feel
fear and terror and beauty and rage; but it is possible
to feel joy at the same time. this does not mean that
you are never broken open again, because life will
continue to happen.
it means that you are finally,
finally healed.
your happy memories are no longer eclipsed by your dark ones. .
go through the process, be very kind to yourself, breathe, get to yoga." - Off to Singapore. Stay tuned. Namaste.
Published on September 02, 2019 14:55
August 7, 2019
11 Tips for an Epic Road Trip
New Zealand is great for traveling by campervan. We're road tripping here for the next month. This is a long narrow country with intriguing roads in all directions and while many of those roads are winding and narrow, they all lead somewhere interesting. This trip we’re navigating the South Island. We’ve arrived in Christchurch with a slight advantage, we’ve already done a month-long campervan trip of the North Island two years ago, so we’ve got a good idea of what we’re in for. This list is great for any country. Although I’ll share more trips from the road, here are my initial tips for an Epic Road Trip: 1. Plan, but expect complications. Day1 on our seven months Around the World adventure we’ve already had a flight cancelled. Prepare by keeping expectations in check and committing to a good attitude, no matter what. 2. Don’t be in a rush. Traffic, delays, and my favorite – the “why not” factor. If it catches your eye, give it a try. You may never have the opportunity again. Last trip in New Zealand we pulled over when I spied people driving debry-looking carts with wheels zipping across a flat surface. There were sails attached – Land Sailing! By being friendly and inquisitive, I received a free lesson and made new friends. 3. Do your research beforehand. It may take longer than you think to find the trailhead you’re looking for. Map out major parks, experiences, and attractions you want to make sure and get to. Leave room and time to be spontaneous. 4. Try and eat well on the road. Heavy meals tax your body and make you sluggish to enjoy your time. Local farmers markets are a must. Friendly people want you to enjoy their home. Reviews are great, but locals are better. One of my favorite aspects of traveling is trying food that I know I’ll never have a chance to try again. Ask locals where to eat. 5. Manage expectations about what you’re likely to find if you’ve cultivated a huge Instagram gallery or Pinterest Board from others travels. We drove out of our way in Bali to visit a spot that looked like paradise on Instagram, only to discover that not only was it nothing like we had seen online it was polluted and over crowed from the hoards of people (like ourselves) who had been using social media as a tool to find fabulous places to see. This is a new phenomenon that is growing, as overzealous IGERS try and outdo each other with filters and photoshop. Read travel blogs that have real and authentic editorial that you can count on. 6. Travel off season is less crowded and usually cheaper. 7. Use travel resources online. Great example: Roadtrippers.com. It’s a goldmine of information including quirky roadside sights. Covering the entire globe, it includes millions of the world’s most interesting destinations and sights. 8. Gather all your technology and travel gadgets beforehand. Invest in a paper map in case your GPS fails because of the remoteness of the region. It’s hard to believe that there are non-existent or slow signals, but those are oftentimes amazing places not to miss. 9. New travel apps appear all the time. Try the new translation apps. You’ll make sure what you really want to say comes across. I’ve found that my personality really never comes through unless I’m fluent in the language. No worries, I encourage you to continue to try without the apps if you find that’s part of the fun of traveling. People appreciate you trying to speak their language so consider at least attempting some often used conversational words. Thank you with a smile in any language goes a long way. Be open to both. 10. Continue something healthy that is routine so that you can stay fit while you travel. Running is easy because all you need is your running shoes and you’ll see much more than riding by on a bike, bus, train or car. Yoga continues to be my go-to around the world simply because every country has organically made their own interpretations of this ancient science in their own way. It gives me great peace to know I can walk in any yoga studio around the world and practice with friendly, kind, and interesting people.* 11. Consider having a ritual you practice everywhere. My ritual is going into a church and lighting candles for my daughters. Even if the place of worship does not practice this simple tradition, it’s a favorite place for us to duck into and simply get quiet, breathe, set intentions, and practice gratitude. The more we travel the more I’m convinced we’re all one, and that’s something to honor and celebrate. *My favorite yoga information source while in New Zealand is The Yoga Connection. My friend Jane is the passionate yogi who created the site and she's one of the funniest (and most knowledgeable) yoga buddies I've connected with here. Tell her I sent ya.
Published on August 07, 2019 21:40
July 29, 2019
Packing for an Around The World Trip
Like any seasoned journalist, I did research. Perhaps too much research. There are countless articles on what to pack for a Round The World (RTW) odyssey that focus on important details like climate and planned activities but leave out sensibilities and style. There’s excellent advice online but it ultimately comes down to your own preferences and must have/can live without list. I’ve made many nuts and bolts travel decisions about technical fabrics vs. lugging around a heavy pair of favorite jeans as I’ve already racked up over 40 countries, but our longest trip so far has been three months. Seven and a half months on the road is exhilarating but much more complicated. My mind was swimming with way too much information. I rolled out my yoga mat and decided to figure out what I wanted most out of my RTW trip. We’ve been planning our trip for a year. We started with the idea of getting our flights with the one of those RTW alliances. As long as you circle the globe in one direction, you can get on an off flights 16 times. We planned that once at a destination, we could use small local airlines, trains, ferry, or buses to get to remote locations. The complexities and restrictions far outweighed the benefit so we ultimately used an amazing company, AirTreks, to book all our major hub flights: Los Angeles Sydney New Zealand Tazmania Japan Shanghi Xiangyang Bejing Lhasa Tibet Yunnan Proviance Henan Proviance Mongolia Ulan Bator Zhengzhou Kunming Kathmandu Nepal India Hong Kong Thailand Singapore Bangkok BodhgayaBihar Maharastra Dharmasala Tashkent Uzbekistan Moscow St. Petersburg Paris Cairo Johannesburg Botswana Tanzania Kilimanjaro Morocco Spain London LA A thrill list, for sure. Part spiritual, part adventure. Yoga, always. Museums, food, World Heritage sites, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I’m counting the days untill we go. I also decided I’d give up on the idea of an Instagram fashionista trip. My IG vibe has always focused on inspiration and I pride myself on substance over style, but of course I have my “thing” and for me that’s a slight obsession with great hair. Even that will be a challenge, but it’s also part of the fun: finding a color expert along the way. Instead, I opted into the idea of diving into this amazing opportunity to be present and soak up the culture and experience from the inside out instead of focused on the world peeking in. Long before social media I had a passion for photography, so that comes naturally. My website and social sites have connected me with incredible people and experiences the world over, so it’s a passion, never driven by commerce. My wanderlust spirit, writing, and discoveries on my yoga mat would be front and center, not my clothes. Fashion was off the list. This decision was liberating. Function became the focus. First Step, Start somewhere: I mapped the 15+ countries we’ll be going to and analyzed and split them into city or outdoor activities. Next, I researched the usual weather for the time of year we would be there. Overwhelmed, I took a step back and figured out this trip (and probably your trip too) would boil down to: 1. City – Cold, possible rain + hot and humid. 2. Outdoors – Cold, windy, swings in temperature. Weight is critical, you simply can’t get around it. As I laid out each big chunk of time with the right clothes, I then took out 1/3 of what I had planned on. This way I’d mentally leave room for: 1. Buying what I need on the road. I’ve yet to encounter a place where a local outfitter hasn’t had the best technical gear for the region I'm in. My Kathmandu jacket I bought in New Zealand is the best find so far. I also leave out heavy basics like shampoo. Even if you’re on the way to the Amazon jungle there’s a way to get toothpaste if you really need it. Embracing this was a big stress reliever. 2. Plan on leaving clothes along the way. You’ll tire of wearing the same things, so all the easier to donate to a local shelter. You know what your favorites are, so include them but get into the idea that you may part with them (or wear them out) at some point along the way. What I Know From Past Trips: Dresses can go from nature to city, all with my Converse kicks. That same dress looks fine day or night. When craving a fine dining experience, we opt for lunch instead of dinner because heels are not worn enough to warrant inclusion in my space starved luggage. Besides, most restaurants offer some of the same menu and experience as dinner at usually a discounted price for lunch. I’ve gone to the Opera in dark leggings, my Clergerie walking shoes and a leather jacket and pulled off an elegant evening. If I can do it, anyone can. My advice: become skilled at knowing which pieces you can look stunning in and the next day revert them back to casual. My pair of black leather leggings work in any situation. Still wanting to see my toes now and again a pair of sandals packs easy, hiking boots not so much. I wear my hiking boots on airplanes to save on luggage space. My favorite city walking shoe is made in Paris (Clergerie), a city that truly understands the need for a shoe you can walk forever in. So, all told, four pair of shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars, Sandals, Hiking Boots, and my City Shoes will be it on this trip. Clothes For Adventure: Once we get to South Africa, we’ll leave all our city gear in a locker at the airport and walk onto the tiny four-seater plane with an overnight bag weighing no more than 11 kilos, about 25 pounds. But whether hiking Kilimanjaro, New Zealand or in and around Japan my technical, lightweight Kuhl long sleeves and long pants work everywhere. They roll up into tiny spaces and hang to dry easily. I love Exofficio panties and rely on them but I also pack fabulous Agent Provocateur just because. Techinical Gear:My water purification pen, the SteriPen, is priceless. I never have to worry about my water. Don’t leave home without it. Adapters, Computer, SmartPhone, Backup Hard Drive and our favorite new toy: Our DJI Osmo pocket 4K Action Camera. It’s a game changer if you like 4K video. You’ll thank me for telling you about the Osmo, trust me. Miscellaneous: Contacts, prescriptions, sunscreen, toiletries, makeup and medical kit. I scour the internet and make friends with makeup counter people for tiny sizes and samples all year long. Even my makeup brushes have the handles cut off for conserving space and weight. It’s an art to pare down your routine to the bare minimums while still taking great care of yourself. I’m a huge fan of investing in IPL laser treatments and good cosmeceutical skincare, but even the most experienced travelers know that sleep and lots of clean water go a long way in the self-care department. Must Have: Yoga clothes and my yoga mat. My award-winning book, “Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat,” was inspired by my 4,000-mile Yoga Road Trip, where I rediscovered and redefined my life while interviewing over 100 yoga teachers. I continue to scour the globe for the best yoga retreats, yoga festivals, workshops, studios and teachers to share with my followers. I’m not partial to any one yoga brand of clothing. This may sound crazy in our brand-focused world, but as long as my yoga clothes function well, wash and wear well and are easy to move in I can live with a couple of basic pieces. I'm excited about trying brands I've yet to hear about here in the US as I travel. Stay tuned for my updates about what I find! However, what I have discovered is I can’t live without is my favorite travel yoga mat, from Yogo. After 40 years of practicing yoga, I’ve tried countless yoga products and I highly recommend the Yogo travel mat. My Yogo mat has been in countless countries and works inside or outside. I love placing it on top of a borrowed studio mat so that my knees get extra padding and I’m protected from the person who used it before. Washing and hanging it in a shower is the easiest and best design element I’ve seen on any mat anywhere, hands down. It folds up easily and with the built-in handle I now prefer it to a big, bulky mat even when I’m riding my bike to my local yoga studio. I simply can’t say enough about it and if you’re thinking that this article is in any way a part of a big marketing plan, think again. No paid for advertising here my friend. Ok, I’m ready to go. Or so I think… Stay tuned as I check in from time to time and share photos here and on my IG page @Stephanieyogini. Namaste. Stephanie
Published on July 29, 2019 15:35
July 13, 2019
SustainabilityAsana, Your Ethical Yoga Practice for Inspired Living
Our Earth is dying right before our very eyes. The stark reality of our world today is that toxic pollution impacts our lives dramatically, according to Pure Earth, a non-profit environmental organization. Water, land and air pollution reach new levels each and every year with no real sustainable solution in place. In some of the world's worst polluted places, babies are born with birth defects, children have lost 30 to 40 IQ points, and life expectancy may be as low as 45 years because of cancers and other diseases caused by pollution. The powerful news, though, is best available numbers currently put our global yoga community at just over 300 million or about 3% of the total world population. In the United States alone, the estimate is ~36 million yogis. Given its global size, our community has the ability to change our planet’s outlook simply by making smarter choices when it comes to the consumer goods and services we buy. Are you a sustainable yogi consumer? The annual worldwide value of today’s yoga market is in the billions. That’s a lot of yoga mats! What is the value set and the lens through which you’re searching in the marketplace for your yoga related products? Are your choices in yoga products reflecting the yogic lifestyle you are aspiring to? How do you know what to search for? How do you dispose of your yoga products when you no longer need or what them? Perplexed, how about a little yogi guidance? The set of ethical principles that comprise the first and second of the eight limbs of yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas. These are the foundations of yoga. The Yamas and Niyamas are yoga's ethical guidelines laid out in the first two limbs of Patanjali's eightfold path. Simply put, the Yamas are things not to do, or restraints, while the Niyamas are things to do, or observances. Together, they form a moral code of conduct. When you apply this moral code to the choices you make, it becomes “right behavior” or an ethical way of living in the world. I view this right action with how you’re aligning your choices with your values. It’s a tangible way to practice living your yoga and being a change agent in the world. If all of us committed to practice these healthy observances by the choices we make in products, goods and services the world would be a better place. Each of us can make a difference. That being said, remember that we vote with our wallets every day. As a global yoga community, we have the power to create and influence change by carefully selecting where we spend our hard-earned money. As yogis, we can affect change by consciously choosing brands and products that are eco-friendly and help protect – as opposed to further harming – our planet. Using this as your guide, chose yoga products that use ethical manufacturing and sustainable materials to produce and package their products. There are a number of companies that follow this eco-friendly ethos from which you can purchase sustainable products that do not sacrifice performance. You’re just a google search away from companies that manufacture their products from sustainable materials. From Yoga pants made from recycled plastics to wood pulp. Yoga mats from recycled wet suits to mats made from 100% reclaimed plastic from our ocean waters. However, this is where it gets a bit tricky. Currently, there are hundreds of green product certification labels in the U.S. alone that have been branded on everything under the sun. Even more perplexing is the fact that many of these eco labels are stamped with a who is who in the zoo: fish, frogs, rabbits and so on. Sure, each of the eco labels profess to protect our Earth and its resources along with safeguarding all in habitants, but where do you begin? Which critter do you choose? Well, that all depends. The labels and their meanings keep changing with new ones being added all the time. So, if you want to go down the label path, by all means do. However, my yogi advice for purchasing yoga products is straight forward: Check where a product is made and remember that local is best. Consider what the product is made from and are the materials reusable. Will this product end up in a landfill when I’m though with it? Buy higher quality, longer lasting products. Ask yourself if you really need the product and how long you will keep it. Consider if a product is pre- or post-recycled. Pre-recycled is scrap that is generated during the normal manufacturing process that is recycled back into its raw material state. Post-recycled is an item that was used after production of the product, and then re-cycled such as plastic water bottles or wet suits into yoga mats. Conscious choices we all make every day can directly contribute to restoring the Earth’s natural balance. By choosing environmentally friendly yoga products, you can do your part to support a healthier planet. Make a commitment to conscious choices for all your products and services – yoga or otherwise. Namaste, Stephanie
Published on July 13, 2019 11:24