As adults in an achievement-based society, we can learn a lot about cultivating joy and presence when we humble ourselves, step outside of our comfort zone, and become beginners again. Continue reading
Author Archives: Rachel
What is it about hobbies and achievement?
I thought there was something magical about an adult ballet class in which grown-up people who had chosen one thing as a career, were consciously developing themselves in another area. It was so magnificent to me because it seemed purely internally motivated unlike so many things in our lives and society. Something about it was joyful. Continue reading
Outside
The past weekend was a beautiful triad of experiences in nature. Each distinct, yet harmonious together. As summer transitions to fall, the outdoors were calling to be recognized. Sun and moon shine, day and night. For whatever reason, this weekend felt important and left me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the place I am in and the people I am with. Continue reading
Pão
Yesterday I arrived home, after a couple very long days at work, to a large brown amazon package on my doorstep. My kitten, Zéb, was thrilled about the three layers of boxes now available to him as playspace. I was overwhelmed by a very generous gift from my Aunt and Uncle for my recent graduation … Continue reading
Why We End in Savasana: The Physical, Mental & Spiritual Benefits of Corpse Pose
I originally wrote this article to submit to an online yoga publication, but I’ve been thinking about what the practice of savasana looks like in our lives a lot lately and decided to revive it from my Microsoft Word draft. — We often start our physical yoga practice in child’s pose, folded forward over our … Continue reading
Finding My Way Back
Before the sun rises in the morning, the birds and cicadas sing a symphony at the full volume of their voices. Then, slowly, the sun paints the colors into the trees, leaves, branches, and stone pathways of The Yoga Forest. By this time everyone gathers for a morning meditation. On our first morning waking up … Continue reading
Lessons from Shiva and Ganesh
On the last two days of my trip to India, I visited Pune. In my undergrad years I studied here and I couldn’t imagine coming all the way to India without stopping by to visit friends and see my old favorite sights. It’s incredible to me how much of the city I remember from 5 … Continue reading
Healing our Bodies
“I am not my body.” This has been one of the common mantras the past month. It is a reminder that I refer to “my body” and “my mind” because they belong to me but they are not who I am. I am more than the space I occupy or the thoughts in my head. … Continue reading
Over a Morning Chai
This morning I learned that a 24 year-old boy drown in the Ganga yesterday. He was just 2 years younger than I am now. When I heard the news, I was having a masala chai at one of the stalls that line the streets in Rishikesh with one of my teachers. We sat together under … Continue reading
Monsoon Reflections
It has been an ongoing lesson for me to be in India during monsoon. It rains nearly every day, the laundry never fully dries, and on more than one occasion I’ve been fully drenched from head to toe walking just a few feet between buildings; but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The monsoon … Continue reading
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