Trees have always fascinated me. They are known to symbolize life, rooted and grounded into the earth, producing life whether it be more branches, leaves, or fruit. What I find absolutely fascinating looking at each one of these trees I saw in the wilderness is the bends in each one, areas of desolation and death, […]
Tag: self care
RAISE Meditation
I have turned to yoga during the most stressful times of my life. It has helped me reconnect with myself, feel grounded, and reminded me of my strength. More and more often, I find myself sitting rather than moving and raising myself through meditation and mindful awareness. I listen to dharma talks and guided meditations […]
Why a Routine & Schedule are Beneficial (4 min read)
It’s easy to complain about how things never change and sometimes, it’s out of our control, but I’d argue that most times it’s because we aren’t prioritizing or putting work into whatever we want to change. Though we all wish there were, there isn’t a quick fix. Rewiring the brain to replace old habits with […]
Whether You’re an Introvert or Extrovert, Social Wellness is for You! (3.5 min read)
Being an introvert can be rewarding and challenging. I love my quiet alone time and also love spending time in small groups building intimacy and close friendships. I could easily stay at my home for days and not see or talk to anyone and be totally content. At the same time, I enjoy participating in […]
The Healing Power of Poetry (5 min read)
I’ve taught English to middle and high school students for over a decade. When we come to the poetry unit there are a handful of students who are eager and excited to learn and write, but by far the room is filled with groans, and the vast majority of students dread the poetry section. They’ve […]
Normalizing Not Buying (6 minute read)
Retail therapy is an actual thing. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology in 2014 found that shopping can make people happier and reduce lingering sadness because it allows people to feel more in control of their own lives. Shopping is sensual, meaning a lot of senses are stimulated when we’re doing it. […]
Finding Your Why – The Key to Effective Goals (3 minute read)
Growing Up Bigger Than My Peers The first time I remember being aware of how much I weighed was in 3rd grade. Though it may be hard to believe at my full-grown 5’1” stature, I was 4’10” and definitely wore at least an A cup bra at only 8 years old. I could share a […]
Expand Your Volume (5-10 minute reading and meditation)
This blog is a visualization meditation and opportunity for cultivating “positive” states of being. I hope it grows your spirit. If you’d like to listen along, you can download a free recording titled “Expanding Your Volume” on our meditation page. We each exist in a concatenation* of spheres. Start small with just yourself. Imagine you are […]
Relief vs. Restoration (4 min read)
Relief. In college it was seeing a grade come through that I was stressed about either because I didn’t study enough or because I worked so hard on it that if I didn’t get the grade, I would have been heartbroken. Relief comes from a massage or plopping down on my bed for an evening […]
Is your culture getting in the way of your wellness? (3 min read)
Being Japanese American has always been an important part of my identity. Despite being a fourth-generation American and speaking more Spanish than Japanese, I try to keep some traditions and cultural aspects in my life and pass them down to my children. But as with many other cultures, some of the beliefs and traditions are […]