Does your space fill you with joy? Does it balance your energy - not too stimulating but enough energy to be productive? Does it inspire you, and express who you are, both at work and at home? Does your space reflect what is important to your soul? Since forever, I have been a person who likes to purchase only those things which "speak to me" in someway. I have a large tulip picture in my dining room for example, that isn't just pretty; it reminds me of my childhood in Hollan

This has been my story most of my life. My mother always said I did too much and it aggravated me because well, I did it all quite well. I did love learning and gaining new experiences, and was good at leading new projects and growing my practice and efforts. When things didn't go well it was usually because the system wasn't followed or because someone failed to do their job properly, or because we needed to restructure a bit and organize after some reassuring growth. Feelin

Since ancient times, yoga has been continuously adapted to suit the needs of individuals from different times, cultures, and traditions. The young have come to explore and develop their potential. The sick and aged have come for healing and a fresh perspective. Spiritual seekers have come to find freedom from the burdens of the material world or to find peace at the feet of their God. All who come to #yoga are welcome. In the hands of the wise teacher, yoga meets the individu

Yesterday I took a hike with a gal who needed to move in #nature for many of the same reasons I often find myself working through life's trials in the woods. My own therapist calls this adventure therapy; we walk the trails while she guides me through self-reflection and helps me implement healthier coping strategies. My teenage son also enjoys adventure therapy with his own therapist, often fishing, kayaking, or even throwing eggs at trees. Don't let me confuse you; I am not

As I work through the #detoxification program, I've been updating my readings on all things environmental health, which is all a bit familiar as these are basic teachings that I provided in my maternity program, as well as the thyroid and infertility programs. This gave me opportunity to read a book I had purchased, but hadn't found time to prioritize just yet, Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan. This book reads a lot like Sandra Steinbarger's book, Having Faith, which is

More than twenty years ago now, I took my first back-packing trip in the depths of the Costa Rica jungle. It was glorious, life-transforming, and the challenge of a lifetime. It was also my last back-packing trip. My second decade of life was a little life-transforming as well. I married a man who has autism, had a few babies (a few of them with autism), began my nursing career, and returned to university for a few more degrees. I also traumatically lost one of my beloved chi

These last few years of tuning in more to my own needs and prioritizing self-care has allowed me to rediscover my love for #nature, and really prioritize that connection. As a child I was always playing outside, wading through a creek, walking among the flowers and trees, imagining #friendships with forest fairies, collecting frogs and crawdads. I was in awe of the #moon, grateful for every season and their wonder, and passionate about protecting the earth and the animals tha

Ayurvedic medicine is common to yogi practitioners as its roots are #Indian, although admittedly, this is not an expertise in my own clinical practice. I do appreciate Ayurvedic teachings however, and enjoy diving in now and then to see what kind of wisdom I can discover. Through the years, as I've met with clients who work more closely with Ayurvedic practitioners and I've come to appreciate its foundation in wellness and its honoring of the body. I've also felt a sort of in

I was so excited to start offering #hikes with the little ones this spring, with some #yoga and nature art, but I see many of you are sharing pictures of your hikes ("bear hunts") on facebook. I am loving it! Since I can't be with you quite yet, I thought I would encourage you to consider keeping a nature #journal. "As soon as he is able to keep it himself, a nature-diary is a source of delight to a child." Charlotte Mason My older children and I always had a journal with us

Having lived such a long time in a #Christian bubble, it has been an enlightening experience this past year to step a bit out of my comfort zone and explore spiritual beliefs around the world. While still a novice, I am intrigued by the concept of #chakras. Certainly even western medicine acknowledges various energy centers within the body, which can be the foundation of #acupuncture, #reiki, #forestbathing or #grounding, #yoga, #meditation, healing touch, sound and magnetic

I know #selfcare and #selflove are the new catch phrases or even the new fad, particularly among mothers and women in their forties and fifties, but I could not be more serious about how very important this is for health and well-being. It is quite literally the top priority of my new practice. I want to help bring people back into both physical and emotional physiologic balance. I would argue that most haven't fully realized how much their own needs go neglected and how detr