My doctor suggested surgery. I learned to surf.

yoga in valencia

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. 

Seeking joy

yoga in spain

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?

Bloom where you are planted

“Bloom where you are planted”

Once I discovered my purpose through my passion, I began to feel overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed by all the ways I hoped to impact the lives of others. I was overwhelmed by my own capacity to love, share, teach and connect. I wanted to DO it all and FOR all.

I was so eager to connect with every person in my path, I became threatened by how large the world appeared. About how much need and opportunity I began to see in front of me. It was enough to make me feel discouraged.

It was when I shared this overwhelming fear that my aunt looked at me and said, “do what you can, with what you have, where you are”. This was a powerful moment for me. It triggered a shift in my mindset, which enhanced my vision. Instead of living in a sense of overwhelm, I chose to focus. This focus helped me to hone in on what, and who, truly mattered to me.

Where was I connected to community? Who could I connect with most intimately and closely? How could my gifts be shared in the most meaningfully ways? How can I bloom where I am currently planted?

*photograph by Meg Marie Photography

Why setting intentions, rather than resolutions, will make you happier

Happy new year! It’s that time of the year where we resolve to make changes, to improve, to achieve our goals and so much more. Resolutions are a great way to reflect and begin the year with a goal-setting mindset. However, resolutions can also make us feel defeated and even somewhat sad. Often, they are a reminder of our expired resolutions from the year prior. The ones that may not have come to fruition, bringing on a sense of falling short. Setting lofty new year’s goals can trigger a nagging voice of doubt, an unsettling fear of failure. Ugh. Now, that’s not the way to start the new year!

Here’s why setting intentions, rather than resolutions, will make you happier.

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