Understanding the transition, advocating for change, and exploring mindfulness tools for the journey Repeat after me: Perimenopause. Again: Perimenopause. And again: Perimenopause. Why did I ask you to repeat it? Because I want people to become more comfortable talking about a topic that still seems taboo for so many. Over the years, I’ve learned that the blogs I write that poke at taboo subjects often get the most nods. So, here we are—talking about something that, for far t

There is a lot of discussion surrounding the buzzword "somatic movement," but what does it actually mean? Somatic movement is a type of mind-body practice that emphasizes the internal experience of movement rather than focusing on specific outcomes. This approach encourages moving with full-body awareness and concentrating on feelings rather than striving for a particular fitness goal. It helps individuals connect their emotions with physical, mental, and energetic sensations

I started my yoga journey 11 years ago in New York City, and it wasn’t by choice. I’d just gone through a heartbreaking breakup—the kind where you think you can’t go on—and a concerned best friend looked at me on the busy streets of Manhattan and said, you need to go to yoga! I went that night. Reluctantly. And I cried my eyes out the entire class. I can still see the room in my mind’s eye: the mirrored wall, the battery-powered candles scattered about, the prop cubbies on th

There is something about the time between Thanksgiving and New Years that has magical flare. Maybe it’s because neighborhoods are blanketed in twinkly lights, or that festive music plays in all the stores, or perhaps it’s the abundance of parties—but as much as I enjoy this time of year, I also know that it can be stressful, annoying, or even lonesome at times. Here I will share a few tips that help me stay grounded, well-balanced and mindful during the holidays, in hopes it

The first time I bled mid-cycle I ignored it thinking it was a fluke. The second time it happened, I went to the doctor and got a pregnancy test and a pap. The third time it happened, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Here we go again." This relentless cycle continued for three years until I realized that I was making myself sick. I believe the mind-body connection is so powerful and I know this first hand. For several years all of my health issues were psychosomatic— a term use

I had a very strong reaction when my first yoga teacher told me I should meditate, and it went something like this: “No thank you.” I chuckle at my resistance to it now, because I have a steady practice that’s literally changed my life for the better. But back then, I really struggled with sitting even for short periods of time. I tried meditation apps. I tried meditation challenges with friends, complete with (short-lived) commitments to text each other every day after we’d

Forward by Yoga Journal: After one yogi took her 200-hour yoga teacher training, she decided to volunteer at a senior citizen home instead of finding a paid job teaching yoga. Here’s how it’s changed her practice—and her outlook on life. Three years ago, I was walking in Santa Monica and noticed a senior center and for some reason, I felt compelled to walk inside. Maybe it was because I’d just finished my 200-hour yoga teacher training with Annie Carpenter, who urged all of u