Taking in the news can be perilous. When we hear of tragic events – bombings, earthquakes, shootings – it’s easy to become overwhelmed with difficult emotions like sadness, grief, fear, rage. Feeling powerless in the face of these heartbreaking disasters, we often don’t know what to do. What CAN we do? Firstly, taking any actionContinue reading “For Troubling Times . . .”
Author Archives: Michelle
I’ve Become Supersticious.
If I don’t do this special thing every day something bad will happen. Or, more accurately, when I do this, I’m more likely to have a good day, maybe even some delightful synchronicities. I’m talking about my morning yoga practice. That sounds a little superstitious, right? It’s been my personal experiment over the course of about 15+ years .Continue reading “I’ve Become Supersticious.”
You can choose.
I went on a meditation retreat a couple of weekends ago and it was great! On a silent meditation retreat, we can step out of our normal routines and slow way, waaaaay down. We’re invited to sit in stillness and to settle the mind into a quiet state of awareness. This can be quite a process, this stilling.Continue reading “You can choose.”
Stranger Things
Recently, I was away on vacation with my sweetheart and we were staying at an old inn in Vermont. On our first day there, we settled in, went out for dinner, then came back and decided to start watching the latest season of Stranger Things. Now this inn was quite old. The floors were tilted andContinue reading “Stranger Things”
Stressed Out?
I’ve been moving – as in, I moved my home – so I’ve been a bit of a stress monkey (yes, me, the yoga therapist—I get stressed too). What does a yoga therapist do with stress? Here are a few of my coping strategies: Even when the stress gets kicked up a few more notches .Continue reading “Stressed Out?”
Just Like Trees
Did you know that trees talk to each other? Tree roots in a forest are connected in an underground network. Not only can trees share water and nutrients, but they can communicate with each other about drought, disease, or insect attacks. Amazing! They’re a family. A social network. They take care of each other. LikeContinue reading “Just Like Trees”
Have you heard?
Have you heard the birds? It’s spring migration time for most birds and also mating time (hey baby!). Listen to them! Science tells us that birdsong can reduces stress, promote positivity, and improve our observational skills. It can also be good for our productivity. Who knew? My sound therapist friend, Michael Reiley, shared this excerpt with me: “Human earsContinue reading “Have you heard?”
It’s Mindful March!
What would a mindful month look like for you? Maybe you practice washing dishes without thinking about anything, just feeling warm soapy water and the shape of the bowl. Maybe you listen to your partner with your whole body, not thinking a bunch of thoughts about what they’re saying. Just listening completely, being fully present. Maybe it’s pausingContinue reading “It’s Mindful March!”
How NOT to give the Stink Eye
Here’s a story for ya . . . I was starting to write a little something for my newsletter – a piece about heart practices for Heart Month. It was about how practicing attitudes like kindness, gratitude, joy, compassion, etc., is good for your overall health and especially your heart health. I put the writing on the back burnerContinue reading “How NOT to give the Stink Eye”
Your Cousins
Every breath you take comes from a tree (sorry if I just planted an earworm in your head). Think about that.It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? Every breath you take is oxygen that was released from a tree. We have a symbiotic relationship with trees. Our every exhale is an offering to them. It’s like a constant gift exchange! It’s easy to forget that ourContinue reading “Your Cousins”
Michelle Stortz 