THE AWESOME AND THE MUNDANE: A COSMIC PARADOX
At this very moment cosmic gravitational waves are undulating through the air you’re breathing, the seat upon which you sit, and every cell in your body. The waves contain vibrational ripples that were set in motion by everything that has ever happened in the Universe since the beginning of…
ANXIETY IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT’S THE MESSENGER.
Soothing isn’t enough. We have to recalibrate.
WHEN YOGA CUTS DEEP AND A GREMLIN POPS OUT
We think we practice yoga for the physical benefits, and to feel that flush of relaxation that comes during that delicious rest at the end of class. But every now and then our practice unearths unpleasant emotions, such as frustration, anger, sadness, or fear. When this happens it can feel like a sinister gremlin has been awakened within us…
MY NEW YOGA PLACE IS NOT A SAFE SPACE. HOW COULD IT BE?
I’ve been trying hard to stop teaching yoga, but I can’t seem to help myself.
So after closing Luma, my downtown Santa Cruz center, in 2021 amid the pandemic, I have recently rented another place. But as much as I’d like it to be, it’s not a safe space…
Originally published in Lookout Santa Cruz, Community Voices, August 14th, 2022.
ON WAKING UP — EMPATHY IN ACTION
First, consider turning those waves of empathy --the ones that overwhelm you when you watch the news-- into action. This is the true definition of compassion: empathy in action.
SELF CARE IS NOT SIMPLE — WELLNESS MYTH #3
The wellness pundits make it sound easy, but has it become just one more ‘to do’ on your burdensome list?
ISOLATION IS NOT SELF CARE — WELLNESS MYTH #2
The bathtub is filling. The candles are lit. You settle in with relief. Soon all your worries and stress will be washed away. After your bath you will emerge resurrected, refreshed and ready to serve your family-aging parent-boss-partner-community with grace for yet another day. (hmmmm…did I just say that last part out loud?)
YOU ARE NOT BROKEN: ONE WELLNESS MYTH WE MUST LET GO OF FOREVER
What if we approached our suffering as if we were already whole. What if we saw our suffering as part of a life that is already complete. Nothing less. But also nothing more. Our experience is just our experience. Plain and simple. And in every moment it is ever changing.
ON LUMA'S CLOSING: A MESSAGE FROM VALERIE
Over the last eight years my business partners, staff and I have worked together to manifest our vision to provide accessible holistic services to a population that is ever stressed by the demands of modern life. We had a lofty and inclusive mission from the beginning. We asked a lot of ourselves along the way.
ZOOM YOGA SUCKS — WE NEED TO GATHER
While we have done all that we can to make the most of practicing yoga amidst a global pandemic, as these months roll on I think I am not alone when I share that I am growing weary of Zoom. As teachers we remain committed to you and to our classes; but we miss you. And for me at least, Zoom is just not cutting it.