How Trauma-Informed Yoga Can Help Highly Sensitive People
The following article was originally published on Introvert, Dear under the title "7 Reasons Trauma-Informed Yoga Is Perfect for Introverts and HSPs". I almost walked out of a yoga class last winter. As an introvert and a highly sensitive person (HSP), I’m quick to experience sensory overload. Too much stimulus makes me anxious. If...
8 Special Superpowers of Highly Sensitive People
Have you been told you're too sensitive? Unfortunately, it’s rather common in our society for highly sensitive people to be teased or criticized, even by loved ones. Our friends and family typically mean no harm. At times they may think they’re “just having fun” or maybe even showing affection. As highly sensitive people, we may be...
When Panic Attacks Strike: Simple Steps to Finding Relief
Trigger warning: While this post limits details, it might be triggering to those who have suffered traumatic loss, a panic disorder, etc. Have you ever felt like pain from the past was behind you only to have it smack you in the face many years later? Well, that's what happened to me last night. I hesitated to share this story today...
7 Anxiety-Triggering Questions You Can Stop Asking Women, And Suggested Alternatives
Recently someone asked me a question that made me want to crawl under a rock. I knew the question wasn’t intended to be hurtful, and I didn’t want to make this person feel bad, so I didn’t say anything. But I felt bad. Most of the time, a question is an innocent, honest inquiry into another person's life. But sometimes a question comes loaded...
A Meditation to Practice Love and Acceptance
Photo courtesy of Madeline Northway Photography and Room to Breathe Chicago. Have you heard of "metta meditation"? It's an important word everyone ought to know. I'll get into why, but I'd like to take a moment to talk about judgment and criticism. If you're like me, you can be highly critical of yourself... and others at times. Although I...
The Way Travel Really Helps Me Cope With Loss
I know traveling through grief sounds cliche. What a perfect way to escape pain, right? Maybe you're thinking this. Or you hear others suggest that traveling after a major life issues is an escape. But is it? I've found my travel experiences to be profoundly helpful in coping with loss. But it might not be in the way you think. Let me explain......
How Yoga Can Help Heal Trauma
Could yoga really help in trauma recovery? Quite possibly. A growing body of research supports that yoga could have a powerful influence in healing from traumatic experiences. Before getting into how it works, let's take a moment to clarify what trauma is. What is trauma? Many people think of themselves as experiencing trauma survivors. I know...
An Essential Reason We Need Others for Self-Care
You know, in the last week I spent $435 on self-care in two seemingly disparate areas of my life. As a yoga teacher, social worker, and someone who underwent a fair amount of therapy in her youth, I strive to cultivate self-awareness as part of my self-care practice. I also happen to have a partner who relishes self-analysis as much as I do......
3 Key Components to Practicing Compassion During Injury
It can be difficult to practice compassion toward ourselves when faced with an injury. We get frustrated with our bodies. We become self-critical when we don't heal fast enough. But to heal, we need kindness and compassion. Today I want to share with you 3 key components of practicing compassion. But first, a story. I recently went backpacking...
Cozy Up and Nourish With African Groundnut Stew
Looking for a new comfort recipe to nourish this season? I invite you to try this African Groundnut Stew inspired by West African flavors and recipe variations. It's a simple, hearty dish that your whole family will love it...provided there are no peanut allergies. Yes, the term groundnut is often used to refer to the peanut, which is said to...