We’ve all heard about the importance of R+R (rest and relaxation), but I’d like to add one more ‘R’ to that list: Routine. While some people may have a hard time getting too excited about the idea of a routine, hear me out–because I wholeheartedly believe that routine is an important element in our physical, …
Self-Care
5 Gifts of Self-Care for the Holidays
I don’t know about you, but my favorite kinds of gifts to receive are experiences, especially if they are stress-relieving and nourishing. Acknowledging my body, mind and spirit is the ultimate gesture of generosity. (Gift certificates for a relaxing massage, or dinner at one of my favorite healthy restaurants so I don’t have to cook, …
The #1 Thing You Can Do to Start Feeling Better
I’ll be brief. Here is what I believe is the #1 Thing You Can Do to Start Feeling Better: Put yourself first. I know what you’re saying: “But Christy, that’s easy for you to say. You don’t have kids…” Here’s a list of the people whose needs I used to put first before my own: …
3 Ways to Keep Your (Pitta) Cool this Summer
Have you been feeling a little overheated lately? According to Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga, summer is Pitta season. Pitta’s light, hot, sharp qualities are amplified by the bright sun, long days, and intense heat of this time of year. That means you might notice yourself feeling more overheated, angry, demanding and competitive than …
The Benefits of Aqua Yoga: Dive In!
The pool is open, which means it’s time for Aqua Yoga! Private Aqua Yoga sessions take place in the heated pool adjacent to my Ann Arbor, MI yoga studio during the warm weather months, June through September. With pool season underway, I thought I would take the opportunity to share a list of some of …
My Favorite Books of 2023
If you know me, you know that I read…a lot. My favorite books are non-fiction, because I love learning. (Honestly, I don’t think I’ve read a fiction book in over 20 years.) Yoga philosophy, spiritual growth, the natural world. Those are my topics of choice, and the sorts of books I choose for my Book …
6 Super-Quick Self-Care Suggestions
One common misconception about self-care is that it takes too much time. If you’re feeling stressed-out, anxious, depressed, or are suffering from insomnia or fatigue, there are some super-quick self-care techniques that can help. Let’s not waste any time getting into them! 1. Practice Gratitude I admit that I thought a daily gratitude practice seemed …
Why I Did A Personal Retreat – And You Should Too
My husband recently went out of town for a business trip, so I took the opportunity while he was gone to do a Personal Retreat. A personal retreat can look different for each person–you design it yourself, so you can let your creative juices flow–but ultimately it should include rest, rejuvenation and a connection to …
Real Self-Care: The Science of Subtracting
During my ‘Spring Yoga Detox’ online course, I like to encourage students to ponder where else in their lives they need to doing some spring cleaning. Where do they need to let go, or lighten their load? I think this is something we all need to do from time to time. In fact, I believe …
Are You Sabotaging Your Self-Care?
What comes to mind when you think of the term ‘self-care?’ Many people think self-care involves a lot of time or money. Others believe that self-care is selfish. These ideas are completely false. Simply put, self-care is essential for you to be the best version of yourself. It isn’t about getting weekly massages or taking …