The morning fog embraced the land, sun rays slowly colored the horizon a stripe of orange just above the mist as I drove eastward. My car gently swerved along the curling river road as I moved toward the sunrise. My eyes were drawn to the ever changing light show while my mind circled, organizing aContinue reading “Off the mat; into the world”
Author Archives: TerraLea
Ready to crack the cocoon?
I realize that people sign up for one of my yoga classes not because they are doing great, but because they are hurting. Maybe some sign up because they know the blessings that come from this ancient body wisdom, and want community and accountability. But mostly, people come to relieve tightness, pain, and recover fromContinue reading “Ready to crack the cocoon?”
What do I see in the blood red sun?
As I walked down the hall, a surprising light shone in the window, staining the floors with a streak of orange. I went to the window to investigate; the sun hung just above a bank of cloudy mist, a blood orange ball. I remember the sun appearing this way in the polluted skies of China,Continue reading “What do I see in the blood red sun?”
What is yoga?
Nearly 20 years ago, I taught creative movement at an arts focused magnet school within a public school district. While I was amazed and delighted at the creativity and openness of staff, families, and students, the place I felt resistance was when I used the dread word—- yoga. One afternoon, after the buses left, theContinue reading “What is yoga?”
Dear Breather, This is easier than you think.
It was the first big family gathering for my husband and I in more than 2 years, and I escaped into a quiet hallway to breathe. For a highly sensitive introvert, these breaks from social energy is necessary. It gives me the quiet I need to relax and get back in there. To me, beingContinue reading “Dear Breather, This is easier than you think.”
A Mindful Journey: Joyful Resilience
How do we build a conscious awareness to overcome our reactive, wandering mind? I believe purposeful movement woven with a mindful breath practice and focused intention is the key.
Excuse me, is this kale on my pizza?
I didn’t actually ask the waiter that, because I knew there were would be kale on my pizza. I ordered it anyway. So, as I munch a slice of vegan kale mushroom pizza— which tastes better than it sounds, at least it isn’t gluten free—I ponder the strange relationship I have with this tenacious vegetable. Continue reading “Excuse me, is this kale on my pizza?”
Go gentle.
The first time I watched the movie, My Octopus Teacher, I admit I made fun of it. Called it—The Octopus Lover— and turned it off. I realize now I was uncomfortable with male gentleness with a marine creature. Instead of investigating my reaction/opinion, and wondering why I felt this way when I watched obvious andContinue reading “Go gentle.”
Remember the light.
When I was a kid, I stood at the doorway of my bedroom, took a deep breath, flicked the light switch and leapt to my bed. To avoid the bed monster’s snatching claws, right? I lay still as the dead, listening to my own breathing, the pounding of my heart, not daring to move. IContinue reading “Remember the light.”
Coach Lasso and Buddhist Pema Chodron Agree: Be a Goldfish.
In one of the first episodes of Ted Lasso, Coach Lasso takes aside a despondent player —who just missed a great shot—and says, “Do you know what the happiest animal is?” The player looks perplexed, “No.” Coach says, “The goldfish. Wanna know why?” The player stares at him. Coach smiles, “Cuz goldfish have a tenContinue reading “Coach Lasso and Buddhist Pema Chodron Agree: Be a Goldfish.”