Try an experiment with me.

Right where you're sitting, slump into your worst posture ever. Let your chest sink, shoulders rounded down, neck thrust forward like a chicken.

Some years ago I went on a trip to Nepal. I was with a group of dear yogi friends and most of the trip was scheduled with a full itinerary of tours and sights to see. It was a big trip for me and I was both excited and a little anxious.

It almost seems like a question that's going to be a part of our lives going forward is, "Have you had covid?" Probably like you, I know many people who have been dealing with it. Either getting it for the first time, getting it again, or dealing with “long covid” symptoms. Maybe this is you.

Michelle here.

Because I know what it's like to feel alone... in a marriage, in a diagnosis, in healing (which is usually preceded by an unraveling)...

I wanted to tell you a little more about myself.

One of the big selling points of yoga is that it can make you feel
better.

This is evidenced by the messaging of many "yoga ads" I see
online:

- You're only one class away from a good mood.
- Every breath is an opportunity to feel better.
- 8 poses to make you feel better.

This one is for you if you are feeling any amount overwhelmed by the holidays, if you are anxious about something coming up, or this season is challenging in general.

Do you ever get pulled down the drain of a mental spiral? Do you wake at night with a racing mind? Do you lean toward the pattern of anxiety?

Did you know that studies have found that imagining your life without something you are grateful for, as opposed to just feeling grateful for it, has an even greater impact on your emotional well-being?

You know that yoga is "good for you." But what does that mean?

I tend to think of the basics, like better balance, muscle tone and flexibility, along with ease of mind, solid sleep and menopause management (maybe that's just me ;).

I recently heard the idea that life is 50/50 – that 50% of the time you will want the things that are happening, the things you call good. The other 50% can range from a mild dislike to the deepest devastation and despair.

As we enter this new season, celebrate when you get to choose the rebalancing of qualities like work and rest, structure and play, social and solitude.

This photo is of me on the porch of my bungalow in Kauai where I was leading a yoga retreat in 2007. The pose is kapotasana, King Pigeon.

In a newsletter this past spring, my dear friend Kelly shared a teaching she heard years ago: A Queen Never Rushes.  Since reading it, this phrase has been my guiding mantra.

Studies have found that imagining your life without something that you love -- as opposed to just feeling grateful for it -- has a greater impact on your emotional well-being.

When I take Pearl for walks (full moon walk in photo at top), I love to listen to podcasts. Usually I listen to business podcasts, but lately I've been enjoying a break and listening to something fun.

Last week I listened to David Whyte on On Being, where he talks, in part, about asking Beautiful Questions.

Attention is closely related to intention, which we are familiar with in yoga practice. We can set an intention at the start of the day or a task, which will guide our attention.

Here’s my question for you… When something’s got to give, what goes first for you?

(For me, it’s social activities. Next it’s making dinner -- I recently found a couple of local vegan meal prep services! And sometimes, yes, it's my self care.)

It's one of the most important questions we can ask when considering any kind of protocol or advice: "For whom and when?"

This is a common adage in Ayurveda and other holistic systems of health. But it need not be relegated to the medical field.

What kind of yoga class is best?

What should I eat?

Should I work out or take it easy today?