A thesis of sorts that I’ve been devoting life experience to since at least age 29. What are the different kinds of transformation and can there be equal value in healing that comes like a wrecking ball and healing that comes easy? Musings as I turn 36 today.

For me, Yoga isn’t some fad exercise trend or egoic athletic pursuit– Yoga is a companion for real life and longevity. Part homage to a recent Rich Roll podcast ep, part diaries from how I came to the practice as a twentysomething facing chronic pain– this one is for literally everybody and every body. Read on to discover the core pillars of Yoga, and how I believe its truly a practice that supports us in everything we do.

Life is always happening, always unfolding, it never stops. So we need tools for existing in that real, raw, messy place. And the only thing I’ve found that can meet the rate of life’s constant curveballs and disturbances– is Yoga. Because of all the things I love about Yoga, perhaps my favorite thing of all is that it is a self reliant healing system.

Reflections from this past weekend’s incredible workshop at Teton Yoga Shala and from the greater ride of finding myself as a Yogi over the past decade. Learning to set aside fear in favor of openheartedness, the only place where magic gets to reside.

Learning to believe in the depth established by continuous Yoga practice– and how that depth can sustain us even when life directs us off the mat. A regimented daily practice or spirituality as obedience training approach not being necessary. Rather a softening to the give and take from the deep well that always lives within us.

Musings from my path to realizing that it’s pretty impossible to guarantee you’ll only have perfect, gentle, nurturing, special for you experiences. But it’s definitely possible to ensure you’ll be OK in any practice– because the one leading the practice is you.

Where I once believed Yoga was all about physical alignment, I’m now coming into the felt understanding that its about the ever-changing alignment of many things. Life as a constant dance of losing alignment in one place but gaining it in another, and Yoga as a tool to easefully and creatively navigate every moment.

Yoga sutra 1:30 describes delusion of how far we’ve come, inability to see our own growth clearly. Read on to visit some moments of my personal journey with emotional and physical progress. I hope it lends you self compassion and permission to celebrate the person you’ve already become.

It can be confounding to get a real grasp of Yoga when in the West we’ve come to know it as only the physical part we call asana. But while I too first came to Yoga through the physical body, it’s the loftier aspirations and flickers of magic the other limbs of Yoga provide that have become my utmost aim and inspiration.

While my life’s journey is only just beginning, my journey to founding Hatha & Heal is one I can tell you about. Read on for the a ha moments as while as the swirls in the universe that got me to where I am today– standing in my honest approach towards healing and the multitude of experiences that make us who we are.