I have a strong aversion to waiting in line. I know I'm not the only one who has this affliction. It's very common. I actually miss out on many things in life because I so dislike waiting in line. I see people lined up to get into a concert or to get into a highly desired restaurant and I am literally repulsed
Read MoreIn 2007, I started a new job at a retreat center just outside of Leavenworth as Event Coordinator. I was still relatively new to Leavenworth, having moved to town in the fall of 2005.
Looking back, although I only worked at this retreat center for about 8 months, there were several changes that were precipitated by my time there – for one, it was while I was there that I returned to teaching yoga at the invitation of the Executive Director of the Retreat Center. This kicked off my yoga career as we know it – even though I had taught previously in Massachusetts, I had made a career shift to hospitality when I moved to Leavenworth. The ED convinced me to teach a few classes for the community and that got me back into it.
Read MoreStarting in 2024, I began offering trips further afield with my tour operator partner, Drishti Journeys. We ran a wonderful trip together in Bali, where Reinier and his wife live (when they’re not traveling the world running trips).
Just to explain our partnership: Reinier is a tour operator who specializes in running trips for yoga groups. These trips are a blend of a yoga retreat and a group tour. There are similarities to a yoga retreat. We start each day with meditation and yoga, and we end each day with another yoga practice. We also stay in a beautiful and scenic location, outside of the crazy energy that many tourist destinations have. We stay in the same location for the duration of our trip, whereas many group travel experiences might change location every day or every few days.
Read MoreAs the weather cools and you crave a deeply satisfying, yet incredibly healthy, comfort meal, look no further than the Silk Road Kabocha Soup. This recipe is a culinary journey crafted by Rebecca Katz, showcasing the rich, nutty flavor of Kabocha squash. Unlike the sweetness often found in common butternut squash recipes, Kabocha offers a sophisticated taste that pairs beautifully with earthy parsnips.
Read MoreThere are creative ways to give yourself a retreat of sorts. Make it a priority to set aside time (and funds, if possible) periodically to step outside of your daily life, to hold space for yourself to heal, to cultivate your spiritual life, to be creative, to be quiet, to be surrounded by beauty, and to be held and cared for by others.
Read MoreOne of the surprising gifts of mindful yoga is the way it teaches us to remember but not through effort, through presence.
When we move intentionally, guided by the breath and grounded in awareness, something shifts. Instead of trying to mentally rehearse every posture, we begin to feel our way through the sequence. This is the quiet power of mindful yoga: it invites us to pay attention on purpose, and in doing so, it gives the body space to learn in its own way.
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