Have you noticed there are so many options for where you can do your yoga teacher training? In fact, since you began your search google has likely shown you more Continue Reading
Recovery from high functioning PTSD and my Eating Disorder: What I didn’t know and how it helped and hindered me
I have spent my life keeping busy. At the height of it I was working 70-80 hours a week, volunteering over 1200 hours a year, over and above being a married mom of two. Five years ago I left this lifestyle, I even thought I had completed this part of my life. And now I can see, I have spent my life keeping busy because then I never had the time to deal with the pain, the thoughts, the emotions, the trauma. I was filling the space up to not feel.
The rest I didn’t know I deeply needed
We live in a society that is focused on productivity, high producing, and achieving behaviors. We say things like “do more with less” and “sleep when I’m dead”. We see people who are busy as productive, stressed as up to big things, and achievement as the only important measure of success.
The result is we are experiencing significant increases in chronic fatigue or its more recently introduced name, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). A 2017 survey shows some 560,000 Canadians report that they have the disease, a 36.7 percent increase over previous results from 2014. The number also suggests the disease may be more common than breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis combined.
Since March of 2020, we are seeing significant experiences of compassion fatigue, lockdown fatigue, and pandemic fatigue.
Embodied Self Regulation: How the Vayus help us
A story from our founder, Melanie Taylor In February of 2020, after years of struggle and misdiagnosis, I was diagnosed with PTSD. The year that followed has been filled with Continue Reading
DIY How to Make Your Own Yoga Props
With more yoga classes happening online, you may find yourself missing those studio props. Props are an excellent way to enhance, support, and adapt your practice. At the Life of Continue Reading
I am not resilient: A story of discovery and recovery
How it started I am a human being. And until recently I didn’t really know what that meant. This is my story of discovery and recovery. There is a traumatizing Continue Reading
Yoga Nidra: Release stress and tension with this practice
I remember the first time I experienced a Yoga Nidra practice. My sister was sick, and I was filled with worry and stress. As I settled into the familiar home of Savasana, I allowed my awareness to settle into the voice guiding me to deepen my breath, settle, and through the systematic meditation travel through the pancha maya kosha.
Creating Wellness in the Workplace begins with you
The Workplace Challenge You have worked extremely hard to get where you are and to create your workplace. Invested years of study, long days, taking work home and giving up Continue Reading
30 minutes of personal development, and how it’s changing my life
Why I love Personal Development? I had heard many times that doing 30 minutes of personal development a day was good for you, and while I do consider myself a Continue Reading
Protect yourself from the energy and emotions of others
Our words and our story affect us and those around us. In a previous post, “You are the writer of your own story” I shared the importance of being the Continue Reading
When things go wrong as they sometimes will
Sometimes I feel like life just knocks me down with a Rocky sized punch. You know those days when things go wrong in a way that reminds us of just Continue Reading
What if I told you that you can have true happiness now?
Imagine this… What if I told you that you already have everything you need to find true happiness? I bet right about now you are thinking it can’t be true. Continue Reading
Healing my negative self-image
Ever wondered what drives your fears and negative self-image, and how to begin healing? It’s hard work, but worth every moment, every tear. I recently heard someone say that who Continue Reading
Why we need community to thrive!
There has been a lot of suffering in my family and community lately. So far this year we lost our nephew, and another nephew is struggling with anger. My brother Continue Reading
Ending the burnout from giving… sometimes the giving has to be to yourself
Burnout has been a big part of finding my self-awareness and healing Burnout for me shows up in many ways. At the beginning it starts with when I start noticing Continue Reading
Throw your hat over the wall and live the life you’ve always wanted
If we are being honest, we already have a good life. And there is nothing wrong with being comfortable living the life we have created. And sometimes we feel called Continue Reading
My victory over “I’m not lovable”
Have you ever noticed that everything you suffer from all comes down to one or two limiting beliefs? That it can stop you from true happiness everywhere in life? For Continue Reading
Knowing when it is time to let go
Knowing how and when to let go is one of the hardest things to do. Our emotions act as a cloud above us. Making it harder to see clearly. This Continue Reading
Awaken your inner strength today
If you follow me on social media you may have noticed me say “Awaken Your Inner Strength”. This is something that has great meaning for me, and today I wanted Continue Reading
When your daily road of emotions seems all uphill
These past few months have been filled with difficult situations, overwhelming emotions, and BIG decisions. The kind of situations that you can not prepare for. What I have seen in these Continue Reading
You already have everything you need for happiness
We all have dreams, wants, desires, and most of all happiness. They are simply a part of who we are as human beings. It comes from our ability to dream. Continue Reading
Making the difficult doable
This past week I found myself feeling the stress of a difficult conversation I had been avoiding. Sign after sign shining as a reminder of what I needed to face. Continue Reading
When you share your story, do you think about yourself as the author and editor?
When you share your story, do you think about yourself as the author and editor? When you share your story, it is important to remember that it’s up to you what you Continue Reading
Live with Unguarded Authenticity
On Internation Women’s Day, I attended the Ladies Talk Out Loud conference with many others from our community. The event was created by the incredible Karen and Ladies Out Loud. Continue Reading
To do it all, or not to
These past weeks or so has been difficult for me. So many things have happened and it has left me in need of a change. Let’s start at the beginning… I’ve Continue Reading
The 10 things that each made me 10% happier
It seems like everywhere we look someone is telling us how to be happier. Commercials telling us what we need to buy to be happier. Store windows showing us the Continue Reading
50 things to do when you feel overwhelmed
50 things you can do when you feel overwhelmed No matter how long I’ve been practicing meditation and yoga I still have bad days and get overwhelmed. In fact, I Continue Reading
Taking off the masks we wear
I want to share with you a week that was incredibly eye-opening for me. It’s allowed me to see a mask I’ve always worn and the impact it has had Continue Reading
The one true teacher lives in the center of your heart
Have you ever had one of those moments where you realized that you had the answer all along? Over the past few years I’ve learned this lesson over and over. Continue Reading
Do you have negative thoughts? Remember “RAIN”
How many times a day do negative thoughts seem to rain in your mind? Feelings that you aren’t good enough? Comparing yourself to someone else? For me, this happens all Continue Reading
Your tribe is everything! Tips to creating your community
This week has been pretty intense, five 16 hour days getting home with barely enough energy to get from my car to bed, getting up just 5 hours later to Continue Reading
I do yoga so I can bend and not break
I often ask my students why they love yoga and why they want to dive deeper into their yoga practice. I always love hearing each answer as it gives me Continue Reading
Creating a lasting Mantra
Have you noticed that what we planned on New Year’s Eve is already fading away? In fact, I am sure you have seen all sort of advertisements, social media trying Continue Reading
How to live life with less stress and more energy
After over 20 years of being a coach and trainer, I have seen my fair share of stress in my clients and students. Even within my personal life stress has Continue Reading
Finding some silence between all the noise
I am finding more and more in my own life and in the lives of my clients a sense of deep exhaustion. I’ve been spending a lot of time on Continue Reading
Beating holiday stress
As the holiday season begins it can bring with it additional stress. Our desire to make everything perfect, to do it all, to be it all. The pressures of fitting Continue Reading
Is Intuition the highest form of intelligence?
In the world today we have more access to information than any other time. Day after day we are bombarded with marketing, memes, and entertainment telling us how to live Continue Reading
“Burn the ships” a lesson about not giving up on yourself
Have you ever heard the expression “burn the boats”? It comes from 1519 during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, when Hernán Cortés the Spanish commander, scuttled his ships so that Continue Reading
Cultivating and Honoring your Inner Strength
Tips to awaken, recognize, nourish, cultivate and honor Your Inner Strength that will leave you feeling grounded, supported and able to accomplish anything. Have you ever noticed that no matter Continue Reading
We can be heroes just for one day
One of my favorite songs is by the great David Bowie, “We can be heroes just for one day”. The words just speak to me! Okay, let’s be honest this Continue Reading
Please don’t have a nice day
I first heard these words lying in bed in a hostel in Vancouver during a quiet Monday evening. A day out of my normal routine in our home in Alberta, Continue Reading
What I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the family we love, the friends we cherish, what we have and for the blessings that will come. As I reflected this Continue Reading
The history of “Self-Care” the good the bad and the ugly
It seems like everywhere you look today someone is telling us to self-care, that self-care is the answer to our problems and if we aren’t doing it we should be. Continue Reading
Bold and Unapologetic Integrity and Authenticity
I have been reflecting a lot of integrity and authenticity. It seems to be something that is all around us these days and not in a good way. More and Continue Reading
What it really means to hold space for yourself
Why taking care of yourself matters A recent lesson as a mom reminded me of how important it is to hold space for yourself. As a mom there is nothing Continue Reading
What it really means to hold space for someone
Holding space when others need you most My first opportunity to learn how to hold space for someone was when my gramma got really sick. I remember it so clearly Continue Reading
7 Fatal Mistakes people make when choosing a Coach
Coaching is a future-focused session with the aim of helping you determine and achieve your goals. By examining what is going on in your life right now we can discover Continue Reading
Discarding my old belief for one that serves me
Have you ever been in one of those moments where you just make a decision to do something even if you aren’t really sure how it will all work out Continue Reading
Finding freedom in the pursuit of happiness
The journey to happiness It’s easy on our journey to find happiness to be inundated with messages telling us to just “be positive”? Like it’s a light switch you can Continue Reading
A Celebration of International Day of Yoga
When I began to think about my celebration of the International Day of Yoga my first thought was to connect to what yoga means to me. If you’ve heard my Continue Reading
3 Proven Ways to Make Your Dreams Come True
Have you ever wondered why some people are so good at making their dreams come true? Or even been frustrated at how easy they make it look? This used to Continue Reading
Are you a slave to your calendar?
I have a question… Are you a slave to your calendar? Does it make you feel like an underperforming employee just waiting for your next bad review? Changing my perspective Continue Reading
Recognizing and changing our patterns
Have you ever noticed the pattern of how easily we respond with “I’m ok” or “I’m good” without actually checking in? Maybe this is a result of our culture, how Continue Reading
How I’m facing my technology crutch
If you’ve ever worked with a mentor you’ve likely experienced one of those moments where you find clarity that changes your perspective in the blink of an eye. For me Continue Reading
Managing the Effects of Grief and Stress
For me watching a loved one face grief is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I find myself wanting to take the pain away, ultimately knowing that Continue Reading
Turning Self-Awareness into change vs New Year’s Resolutions
Turning self-awareness into change isn’t an easy thing to do. You can see this in so many daily life examples that turn into New Year’s Resolutions. How many of the Continue Reading
8 Tips for Holiday Mindfulness
So often when planning for the holiday season we can get stressed. Whether dealing with family dynamics, planning to navigate holiday parties or fitting in family time in busy holiday Continue Reading
Craniosacral Therapy and why it is so powerful
Why I choose Craniosacral for all clients As part of my therapy sessions I almost always complete a treatment with Craniosacral Therapy. I see it as a way to give Continue Reading
How I’m learning to trust in my ability to trust
Recently I’ve been spending time thinking about my ability or lack of ability to trust. It is so easy to remember the people who proved untrustworthy, or why I didn’t Continue Reading
How I’m getting out of the way of my goal
I’m not gonna tell you that I have everything that I want or that I live a mistake free life. As always when I’ve reached a goal I tend to Continue Reading
It’s okay to say NO!
So often I find myself saying yes and then being frustrated soon after. Why did I say yes, when I knew I didn’t want to?
Which will help me Affirmations or Afformations?
For years I have used Affirmations with a varied level of success. If you haven’t tried them yet, affirmations are a positive statements that you repeat to yourself while looking Continue Reading
How to Stop Stress and kick it to the curb!
How often do you find yourself really stressed, exhausted, and even fighting weight gain no matter what you eat or how often you workout? Find out how to Stop Stress Continue Reading
Nine Morning Habits to Start your day in Wellness
How you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. I used to be that person who in the morning hit the snooze button at least Continue Reading
What we see in people is really like an iceberg
I have found that when I grew the most was when I was the most vulnerable and there was someone there who really truly took the time to get to really know me and provide authentic support.
When you don’t reach your goal does it change your self-image?
So often we merge together our personal development and our goals, it happens so easily. It starts with saying I’ll be happy if only I got the promotion. I’d feel Continue Reading
Why I love my journal
I never used to use a journal at all and now I carry it everywhere I go. Over the past 2 years I have gone through significant changes in my Continue Reading
Saving your New Years resolution from failure
What is it about the New Year that makes us all think about change and ultimately a New Year’s resolution? Sometimes I wonder if it is just the name “New” Continue Reading
Options for days that you need a boost
I’ll be honest, I get down sometimes and need a boost. It happens to all of us, you’re just having a bad day… or even a bad week. Sometimes you Continue Reading
How to set boundaries that are true to your values
There will always be people around you that act in a way that is inconsistent with your values It may be that they say something, do something around you. It Continue Reading
Finding your courage in a sea of fears
When I think about Remembrance day I am always amazed at the stories of unbelievable courage. I’m not sure I can even truly imagine the strength it takes. To sign Continue Reading
A truly authentic life is the key to happiness
These 4 steps have been my guide to bringing authenticity to my life. I share them with hope that they will do the same for you. Ground yourself in your values Continue Reading
Facing your fears and ghosts
When we allow our fears to be our guides we are setting up our own limits I feel that on the day of scary and spooky costumes it is time Continue Reading
When my confidence wavers
Have you ever had one of the days, or cluster of days, when your confidence is just gone? There are so many things that we face every day that can Continue Reading
Finding the right decision in a sea of choice
I believe when we open ourselves up to change, are truthful with ourself about our values and goals you will inevitably attract the right opportunities. There is nothing more true for me right now.
Falling back on your old habits won’t open new doors
We get so used to doing things a certain way, our alarm goes off and what happens after is pretty set in habit.
Thanksgiving Includes Giving Yourself Space
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I have found myself very focused on space. How we are consistently giving and take it from ourselves and from others. When was the Continue Reading
Following a dream can be a bumpy road
On the pursuit of a dream there will always be twists and turns on the road, they are there to test us and challenge our determination. To stay focused you Continue Reading
How I know I’m good enough
I have spent a good deal of my life stuck in a rut where I was the reason I felt that “I’m not enough” feeling.
A healthy lifestyle
When you choose the goal to live a healthier lifestyle, you are enevitably entering a complex world to navigate.
Journey to my life of health and wellness
When you begin to tell your story, does everyone wonder… how does my journey to health and wellness start? Is the meaning deeply entrenched in your childhood, or is it really Continue Reading
Why I’m glad I got sick
As I went through my own journey to wellness I had hundreds of conversations with people who like me have gotten sick or faced something traumatic that changed their lives Continue Reading