One of the greatest challenges we face when starting a new endeavor of any kind is getting going and building momentum. especially if our endeavor is complex in any way. Here I aim to give you some basic tools and insights as to how you can start a mindfulness or meditation practice without spending money on classes, having to give up free time or feel like you're forcing anything.  

First of all, I’d like to define what it means to be in practice of something. A practice is anything that you do regularly, for an extended period of time. This is so key to realize! Often we try something once and if we don’t see profound results immediately we stop and assume it’s ineffective or “just not for us”. I can’t tell...

We all know the feeling; it's late at night when your body and eyes are begging for rest, yet the mind jumps from thought to thought. Like a crazed monkey swinging from anxiety to anticipation. Pausing to curiously wonder about a concept, idea or question. Perhaps your monkey mind screeches at you in fear, demanding to be fed, for desires to be fulfilled and to be distracted from life's harsh truths. It has you everywhere and anywhere but the present moment. Your current experience lost in the jungle of ego - the place in your mind dominated by I, ME, MINE. 

The rational and reasonable part of your mind knows this is futile. Yet we seem powerless against the silly monkey jumping around inside our heads. What could possibly tame t...

Have you ever had a Thai massage before? I ask many clients this question before a session begins. Often the answer is no, I haven't. They are anticipating a new experience, perhaps slightly nervous being under the hands of a (somewhat) stranger. We are set up to work on mats on the floor, yoga blocks and blankets placed around the comfy mat, batik sarongs on hand to cover exposed skin. Thai massage is a unique body work experience, being on the floor is very grounding, and for many people, more comfortable than being on a massage table. There is more space for your body to spread out, feeling more like lying in bed than on a narrow table. Thai is a long form of massage, my sessions are 2-3 hours, allowing time for the body to f...

Along the way in Costa Rica, a funny man, upon learning that I am a yoga practitioner, said to me “lately I’ve been doing a lot of this new thing, it’s called noga. Have you heard of it?”

“No. what’s that?” I replied

“It’s cool, I do absolutely no yoga for about an hour every morning and then again in the evening.”

We laughed and it’s become a running joke. I especially appreciate it now, as I’m going through a time where my asana practice is waning. 

Every yoga practice always has its ups and downs and is forever in flux, just as we are. Over the past 10 years I have explored many facets of the yoga spectrum, going through chapters of practicing everything from trendy hot yoga to rigid traditional ashtanga to dancey flowy vinyasa...

We humans we seem to spend a lot of time worrying about our things. Obtaining the right clothes, car, house and gadgets dominate our time. We feel lost without our smart phones and identify strongly with what we have and own. Attachments run deep, be it to a physical object that brings us comfort or a person or relationship that we use to define who we think we are. We use these external objects to distract ourselves from uncomfortable moments, and the harsh truth that our existence is temporary.

In yoga, part of the practice is accepting that everything in life is fleeting, changing and impermanent. Therefore our attachments cause us pain and suffering as everything we have we inevitably lose somewhere along the way....

Surf is incredible. The raw elemental energy of being in the ocean and chasing waves creates a feeling inside like no other. Physically one of the best upper body and abdominal workouts I have ever experienced, plus the rush of adrenaline that comes from riding a wave and harnessing the awesome power of the sea.

So what affect does this have on our bodies?

Spending extended time in an adrenalized state causes the sympathetic nervous system to go into overdrive. This is a necessary function for our survival, our “fight or flight” mode.  Air passages dilate and blood vessels contract, providing more oxygen to muscles and blood flow to the heart and lungs. Awareness is heightened and strength and performance increase, all part of...