Observe and CelebrateMiracles of LifeI share some similarities with the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly that transforms before my very eyes throughout the year. Their amazing metamorphosis seems surreal. Like a magical, divine force must have created such a magnificent creature. Sometimes I soar through my days like a butterfly, my nature symbol that best describes my Vata Dosha in Ayurvedic philosophy.Vatas have predominant tendencies with more air and
As a Yoga Teacher and RN, I appreciate the variety of movements and design of humans. How we move, how we balance and how similar or different we are with our sizes and abilities. For instance, my arms are not as long and proportionate as others or this artist’s description. Reaching my toes is a stretch requiring props to assist me. The Vetruvian Man. To me, it looked complicated and
Meet Your Vagabond Vagus Nerve for Harmony. Remember the “Operation” game? It was so hard to extract the darn “Writer’s Cramp” pencil and “Spare Ribs”. I played like a relentless child surgeon to get the elusive bone. I visualized a bunch of parts assembling to form one unique 3-D human form. This popular interactive board game with a red light nose and a jarring buzzer was the precursor to my
BLUES OF THE BLUE RIDGE TRANSFORMEDTO RENEWAL AND BEAUTY…WITH HELPING HANDS & HEARTS FUSED WITH NATURE’S WAY TO REPAIR & RESTORELake Lure views in 2020 and 2025 from Chimney Rock, North Carolina Last October 2024, many of our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain areas were devastated by the immense rush of water’s powerful forces rushing into remote and populated areas. An unusual and unexpected storm, Hurricane Helene washed away much of what
MOUNTAINS + YOGA + FRIENDS = NATURAL MEDICINE As a Floridian, I often feel a void without the natural medicine I get with the energy of the mountains. So recently I experienced a 4-day yoga immersion in the Smokies mixed with misty mornings, fiery sunrises, new friends, and some quiet time to restore my body and spirit. Natural Medicines that positively affect us all through our senses. Eyes see the beauty
I was once told I hang on to things like a dog with a bone, apparently known to be tenacious. Some are naturally disciplined, but I need a strong reason and urgency, then I get going! I have also been called a “fireball”, having high energy with determination but need purpose for any passion in the process. I recall a motivational poster that inspired me, “You don’t fail until you stop
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose, under heaven, opening verse of hit song in 1965 by the popular band, the Byrds. Relating to ancient yoga philosophies, this reminds me of Dharma, our law and nature of things, and Aparigraha, the practice of acceptance without expected outcomes, to trust in the universe’s plans for us. I selected this verse as I have greatly struggled to find
The yin and yang symbol represents harmony, when the duality of yin (black) and yang (white) with a dot of the opposite color, intersect to balance the other’s energy. Every June in America, we honor the positive, masculine influences in our lives with Father’s Day. The harmonizing Yang Energy Forces to balance our feminine, Yin energy. In eastern philosophy when we fuse the opposing forces, we make us more whole.
Who am I? Why am I here? How can I be better, do better? Looking back over many years, I wish I had quieted my mind more to actually find and meet myself. Never lost but waiting to be discovered. Like a seedling finding better light shined upon it. To grow into the best version of its life. The last several years of yoga practice guided me greatly. Working through the physical
Tapas Time! In Spain this is known as time to have light bites, warm or cold. In yoga philosophy our third Niyama means “heat” in another sense. Our internal heat is needed to purify and detoxify our body and mind and to keep our spirit glowing like a heart warming fire. Tapas is our drive, our passion, the fire within to be disciplined and get things done that are necessary. With