self love

On a daily basis I see the invisible power of relationship. I love being in relationship, it is the juice of the human experience. Our discovery and willingness to be in connection is a flicker of magic in the mundane of life. Intimacy makes me feel alive, and requires my utmost attention and presence. I can be intimate with nature, food, water, my ukulele, my lover, my body and breath. Recently my greatest teachings come from being Intimate with others. (*Note I do not mean Intimate solely as a sexual or sensual exploration).

“The restraint of the senses occurs when the mind is able to remain in its chosen direction and the senses disregard the different objects around them and faithfully follow the direction of the mind.”

- Yoga Sutra 2.54 Translation by TKV Desikachar

Body positive. We’ve heard this term being bandied about for the past few years, and 2016 was no different. Though we’ve heard reed-thin models gushing about body acceptance and famous (and drop-dead gorgeous) celebrities blathering about accepting your true self – what is exactly does it mean to be not conventionally good looking and still being body positive? It’s easy for the rich and famous to say these things, for they fit into the mold of society’s definition of beauty. But what about us mere mortals? With our jowly chins and jiggly bellies, not so great skin or too tall a height?

Cultivating a sense of self-worth can help you overcome daily stressors and feel less anxious about life’s ups and downs. There are key factors in improving your self-worth, such as keeping a positive outlook, no matter what. Retaining self-confidence is also key in successfully managing your life and your relationships. So, how can you build, or remind yourself of, this inherent self-worth? Here are a few methods to start you off on the path to seeing your own self-worth:

“You must lose yourself to find yourself.”

I hate kombucha. I hadn’t tried it until recently, but danggg. It tastes like spiked vinegar and apple juice. No thank you. As much as the yoga blogs and Pinterest posts rave about its benefits…I can’t. On top of this aversion, I also don’t have long skinny legs, a calm demeanor, or cool tattoos. But the good news is: I’m still a yogi.

Throughout the world, there are few common base themes or expressions that have served in the creation and conservation of every culture, and which have been carried from the beginning of our cultural development to still stand as equally important parts of modern life today. Amongst these there is perhaps one more personally powerful, fundamentally meaningful, and collective unifying expression than all others, hailing shared value to most each and every human, regardless of size, color, shape, class, or education in a special way - and that is dancing. This is the heart of embodiment.

At some point in your life, you will pause, and question how you’re spending your time serves your higher purpose. Sure, education, relationship, family, friends, career, house, money, traveling etc. are desirable aspects of our life, but what truly defines us? Is there something else in us still waiting to be manifested? Something that we are supposed to do, express or stand for other than just surviving life and fighting our way through circumstances?

Have you ever been going through something in your life and you felt you were the only one? Have you ever thought to yourself that no one else thinks this way, feels this way or does these things?

Well, I have. Most of us have, actually; we just rarely realize we are doing it.

At these moments we can turn on a movie and try to find a kindred spirit in this perceived aloneness. Movies can take you anywhere from anger to hope to inspiration and sometimes mild grief.

Here are seven steps to an Ayurvedic bath; not just to cleanse the body but also to rejuvenate the mind and soul…

Call it a bath, a shower or just a wash – bathing is not just a cleansing of the body. If done right, bathing can actually be a therapeutic, rejuvenating ritual for the mind, body and soul; and you don’t need to go to a spa or buy expensive products for it. Just a few steps and a few changes to your bathroom and routine can make your bath refreshing like never before.

Step 1: The Odors