My doctor suggested surgery. I learned to surf.

A year ago, I sat in the doctor’s office looking over scans of a herniated disc in my lumbar spine. I had been living in chronic pain, had lost a lot of my strength and had to stop exercising. Teaching yoga had become a struggle for me, physically. The doctor was scheduling me an appointment to cauterize a nerve in my back and prepare me for surgery. Something told me to say, “no”. Even though I was desperate for a solution and to stop the pain, I had a feeling that surgery wasn’t the answer. I set a goal instead. I decided to do whatever it took, for one year, to rehabilitate my back and get my strength back. I was ready to invest in myself, my health and more importantly, my future. I started some physical therapy. I found the incredible massage therapist @allivio_massage_valencia who helped to alleviate tension and pain. I started reformer pilates three days a week at @pranapilatesreformer. Little by little, I could walk more. Move more. Sleep better. Teach yoga without being in pain. Dance.

One year ago, I told some friends that I wanted to learn to surf. That I wanted to work really hard over the course of the next year in order to take a surfing lesson during our yoga retreat in Portugal in July 2024. I think some people thought I was crazy. Silly. Too old. Not strong enough. Delusional, maybe. But during every pilates class, I visualized myself getting strong enough to push myself up and stand up on a surf board.

We built excitement in our retreat group during the year and as the date approached, my intention was to simply enjoy it. I believed in myself, but more than anything, I wanted to enjoy the moment with these incredible women, try something new together and if nothing else – laugh.

As I was pushed out on that first wave, I didn’t overthink it. I trusted my body to do what it needed to do. And I stood up. I rode the wave. It was exciting, exhilarating, emotional. I had done it. I had worked hard to heal myself and I was so, so proud. Thank you to these amazing women, my fellow surfer girls, for the love and support.

pilates surfing yoga

It is not too late

It’s not too late.

It’s not too late to go after what you truly desire. It’s not too late to change. To leave something behind. To start something new. To shift your mindset. To change a relationship. To get a new job. To take a step forward. To choose yourself.

We fall prey to societal expectations about what is “right”, what we “should” be doing. If you look deeply and reflect on tension, pain, and illness in the body, it usually comes from a root of *dis-ease*. Stress building up on the inside, because of listening too much to the outside. Tension, tightness and resistance in the body are all manifestations of living out of alignment with your true self.

When was the last time you asked yourself what you truly want? And when you heard the answer within, what did you think? Yes, I can go for it? Yes, it’s possible? Or… No, it’s too late. I can’t choose that. What would other people think/say?

I’m here to remind you that it’s not too late. And although it may not be easy, choosing to live a life you love, where you thrive and discover *ease* is always worth it. YOU’RE WORTH IT.

mental health mindset

Life is weird

Life is weird. And adulting is hard. Sometimes you feel like you’re drowning in the storm and other times, you find yourself enjoying the party in your rain hat.

The thing is, life is both things. Challenging and fun. Sad and joyful. It’s amazing. And then it’s terrifying. That is the complex beauty of the human experience.

Sometimes I feel hesitant to share when I am going through a hard time, because I know how great I have it. I KNOW what a beautiful life I’m living. It’s not that those parts are a lie. They are at the core of it all. But life can be awesome, and still suck sometimes. That’s the real truth. And it’s ok. I’ve learned that it’s ok. These hard times are not permanent. This too, shall pass. I’ve learned to relish in the ease and impermanence of the good times as well. Because I know that those moments are fleeting as too.

The more we try to hold on tightly to all that is good, the more we try to control life so the challenges can’t reach us… The more resistance we create. I’m reminding myself of the peaceful journey of acceptance. Flow. Riding the wave.

So, here I am, riding this one out. Knowing that the shore is approaching. The sun is still shining. And all is good.

It seems to me that many of you are on a similar ride. Going through a hardship, a big change, loss, resistance to something in your life. I’m here to let you know that you are not alone. And blessings and abundance are on their way to you. You’ve got this. And I’m here for you, willing to ride the wave beside you. All the way to shore. 🏄🏼‍♀️

(A special thank you to those who have held my hand through this season and showered me with so much love and reassurance. Love you.) p.s. – I promise I’m ok, just wanted to remind you that it’s ok if you feel like you’re not. Xo

mental health

Seeking joy

Sometimes when we feel low, it’s not because of everything we have going on in our lives. It’s not because of the stress of our responsibilities, or to-do lists, our work, or our obligations. Sometimes it’s because we are lacking more of what fills our heart with joy. More of the things, or time with the people, that make us smile and feel at peace. We forget to build in the moments that help us to feel connected with our true selves. Do you take time each day for joy? What brings you joy?

A life-changing mindset shift

Moving beyond your daily gratitude list

We have all heard about the life-changing effects of gratitude, but is it possible to take this practice beyond your gratitude journal? How can you practice gratitude throughout your day. In real life?

During our Sunny Sunday Yoga class yesterday, I shared one of my favorite mindset shifts with the class. It is actually a gratitude practice that is hidden in a subtle shift of language.

Shifting from the mindset of “I have to“, to “I get to“. There are so many tasks and mundane to-dos throughout the day and if you observe your language, you are most likely saying things like, “I have to go to the store”. Or, “Oh, I can’t meet for coffee this afternoon, I have to pick up the kids from school”. “I have to take time off of work today because I have to go to a doctor’s appointment”.

What if you shifted your mindset, and even your verbal language to say, “I get to pick up my kids this afternoon!” Do you feel the shift? Sure, it is another thing on your list for the day, but you know what?

There are many people in the world, and probably in your own circle and community, who are praying to “get to” do the things that you feel you “have to” do.

Having children, your job, access to medical care, the ability to go grocery shopping… these are all privileges. These are actually things for which we can be feeling, and expressing, gratitude.

So give it a try this week. Start by observing your thoughts and your language and notice when you might be sitting in an energy of obligation and frustration with your to-do list. Is there any opportunity to shift your mindset into a space of gratitude? Are you able to take a step back today and recognize how blessed you truly are?

Start out with the little things and then move onto some of the more challenging moments of your day. An argument with your partner? You get to take some time to reflect and learn more about yourself, your needs, and the needs of your partner. You get to improve your communication to help alleviate some of this tension in the future and improve your relationship. A conflict at work? You get to stand up for yourself, honor your boundaries and remind yourself of your worth.

So, you see, your gratitude practice can go beyond listing five things you are grateful for at the end of the day. It can be a constant practice and reminder throughout your day. A constant opportunity to check in and reevaluate your mindset and choose to make this simple, life-changing shift.

Let me know how it goes!

xo,
Jennison

Creative Christmas shopping ideas in Valencia, Spain

A Local Gift Guide (updated 2024)

Checking off your Christmas gift list can feel like a chore, and sometimes a bore. With these creative Christmas shopping ideas for your loved ones, you are bound to feel inspired with your gift-giving this holiday season. From funky and quirky, to feminine or modern, to cozy or even tasty, enjoy this list of local gifts ideas in Valencia, Spain.

All of the brick and mortar shops below are located in Ruzafa, which makes for a fun afternoon of shopping local in Valencia. If you are looking for shops outside of the Ruzafa neighborhood, check out the seasonal Christmas markets in Plaza de la Reina, Mercado de Tapineria, and the City of Arts and Sciences. Or check out the local artists and creators featuring their products at the “Vecinos Winter Market” at Perenne Home. Lots of beautiful handmade and local collections to shop!

There is more than one way

How my coaching journey began Part 2

There were a couple of things that drove me in the direction of coaching. The more I stepped into my most authentic self and aligned my teaching in the same way, the more motivated I became to help others to do the same.

The more authentic my practice and teaching became, the more I was frustrated by the things I was seeing within the wellness industry- on social media and beyond. I saw many professionals in the wellness industry struggling with the messages they were seeing and the pressure to show up online, and on the mat, in a way that wasn’t authentic to their personality, nor their values.

Social Media can be an incredible space to connect and create community. In the wellness field, it can feel overwhelming, disturbing and even inappropriate.

The pressure to “show up” as sexy and perfectly posed and poised, began to drive me crazy. I found myself frustrated and unfollowing accounts left and right. Yoga is so much more than a beautifully sculpted body, standing on your hands, or twisting the body into nearly-impossible contortions.

“So, you help your competitors?!”

How my coaching journey began. Part 1

I was having a conversation with a few women the other day who wanted to know more about the “Authentically You” coaching programs. After explaining a bit about the program, one of the women asked, “So you help your competitors?!” My response? “YES!” And here’s why.

When I first began offering yoga classes in Valencia, my “niche” was teaching yoga in English. There weren’t many other teachers offering classes in English, but there were quite a few students who wanted to practice yoga in a language they felt more comfortable with. As the immigrant and expat communities grew in Valencia, so did my classes.

But soon enough, more and more English-speaking yoga teachers began to move here as well. I remember a couple of them early on, advertising their classes “Yoga in English in the Park”. They wanted to meet with me for a coffee to learn how to grow their English-speaking yoga business in the Valencia.

How establishing a morning routine pulled me out of a deep depression

“Underneath all we are taught, there is a voice that calls to us beyond what is reasonable, and in listening to that flicker of spirit, we often find deep healing. This is the voice of embodiment calling us to live our lives like sheet music played, and it often speaks to us briefly in moments of deep crisis. Sometimes it is so faint we mistake its whisper for wind through leaves. But taking it into the heart of our pain, it can often open the paralysis of our lives.”
– Excerpt from Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening

About 10 years ago, I went through one of the darkest times of my life. I was doing all the right things, but somehow none of it felt “right”. Everything in my life was good on paper, but in my heart I knew it wasn’t for me. I walked away from what I thought was the path I was supposed to follow. Get a good job. Establish myself in a career. Get married. Have babies. Live happily ever after. The end.

anxiety meditation morning routine

Four surprising ways to attract abundance into your life

We have all heard about the “woo hoo” practice of manifestation and how it can change our lives. Turn our dreams into reality. Attract love, abundance, health and all of our deepest desires. It seems so far-fetched and out there that sometimes we don’t even really try to manifest anything at all. But you know what? We are constantly manifesting, whether we like it or not. Our energy is either repelling or attracting in every moment, of every day.