Why I Love Being an Occupational Therapist

The month of April has been set aside as Occupational Therapy Month. It’s designed to be the month in which we celebrate and educate the public about what it is that we actually do.

I’ve been an OT for almost 2 years now and I’m still figuring out just exactly what we really do because, if you’ve ever encountered one of us, we do a lot--with a lot of different types of people in a variety of settings.

Today at work I had a lot of sweet, moving moments with my patients and I decided it would be worth my while to sit down and express just exactly what it is that I think we do and why I love being an Occupational Therapist.

I love being an occupational therapist because I believe the core of what we do is empower our patients by providing them with the support, tools, knowledge, and assistance they need in order to regain access to the most fundamental and crucial aspects of their lives--which is anything of value that “occupies” their time.

The things that are most valuable vary from each individual but the overarching categories I most often see are returning to their role in their family, returning to their hobbies--such as playing the piano, swinging the golf club, or playing bridge with the girls (and poker with the guys), and returning to their daily routine-- the one in which they get up in the morning and make their coffee, kiss their spouse/kids goodbye, wipe their own ass, and drive their car.

The most valuable aspects and roles of their lives have been diminished, discarded, and abandoned due to some illness, injury, or disease that has, for all intents and purposes, destroyed the only life they’ve ever known. In the last week those “fatal” disasters I have personally encountered with my patients have been stroke, heart attack, motorcycle accident, drug overdose, domestic abuse, dementia, and cancer.

As an OT, my job is to establish what their previous level of function was, prioritize their limitations/deficits, develop a treatment plan to increase their independence, but most importantly, to establish what THEY are wanting and hoping to be able to achieve again. On the surface this may look like I help people sit at the edge of their hospital bed, transfer to the sink, brush their teeth, and help them put socks on their feet--but if you look a little closer, the purpose I see in doing all of those things is to provide inspiration, motivation, and hope. Because when you can’t even stand up or put your damn socks on your feet, you don’t have much hope that you’ll ever be able to walk to your mailbox again or bake your great-grandmother’s famous chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Each and everyday I have the chance to make a personal connection with every one of my patients. I have the opportunity to not only look them in the eyes---but to make sure they are really seen--not just as patients, but as human beings who have intrinsic worth and value. I have the opportunity and responsibility to make sure they know that they are stronger and more capable than they think they are and that they are worthy just because they exist.

On a lot of days this is difficult because, well, people are difficult--and they are challenging-- which further provides me a chance to practice my yoga off my mat--it gives me a chance to change the way I perceive people and the way I react to people. It provides me with either a platform for frustration and discontentment or of compassion and love.

You see, I love being an OT not just because I get to help people get back to the life they once had but also because I get the chance to watch people examine the life they once had--and figure out if they want that life again or if they want to change the way they live their life. I get the opportunity everyday to (hopefully) inspire people to not just merely continue to exist--but to truly live--either again or sometimes for the very first time.

Do I always see amazing miracles with my patients and a newly reinvigorated enthusiasm for living life?? Not hardly. In fact, most of the time, they go back to the exact same lifestyle and habits they had before. But every once in a blue moon I’ll have a patient really look me in the eyes and say, “Thank you for taking the time out of your day to come see me. You made my day so much better than it was before.”
And THAT gives me enough hope and enough motivation to wake up the next day and do it all over again.

I love my profession. I love being an OT and I am immensely grateful to all of my amazing co-workers both here in Colorado and back in Mississippi for all the lessons they teach me and have taught me on a regular basis for the past 2 years. AND I’m also indebted to my professors at UMC and all my AMAZING classmates that I miss daily.

Here’s to OT month, my friends! Hug an OT next time you see one and tell them to keep up the good fight. Because it’s not always an easy one;)

With Love,

from your favorite hippie wild child,

Jen

Hello, 2016!

Hello, sweet friends! (and hello 2016!)

Greetings from the chilly yet always sunny state of Colorado!

I would love to sit down and tell you about all the ways 2015 has changed me and opened my eyes to amazing new insights and nuggets of wisdom--but as I sit here contemplating and re-hashing out 2015 in my mind, not much has changed. And then I realize I'm thinking internally and about my psycho-spiritual state;)
But when I think about my life externally, I realize almost everything has changed.

For starters, I moved out of my beloved pink palace apartment that I called home for 4 years, living solo, to living in 4 different houses all with different roommates. Each house and roommate were more than delightful and learning to live with others again came more natural than I supposed it would.

I moved all the way from my beloved state of Mississippi to the gorgeous foothills in colorful Colorado--all by myself. Which although was not the original plan, was exactly the way it was supposed to work out.

I quit my jobs in Mississippi and took off 5 weeks of work to FINALLY complete my 200 hour yoga teacher training certification with an international yoga teacher that I'd always wanted to study with but never in a million years thought would happen.

I traded in days spent indoors watching movies on my couch for hiking the rocky mountains and realized that although I've always said I loved the outdoors, I never really spent much time in them (except when I was a kid) until now.

I said goodbye to regularly seeing my beloved and cherished MS friends and hello to meeting new friends and forming new relationships.

I also said goodbye to my beloved "gwyn"--my 2000 Xterra (which was the only vehicle I had ever known) and bought a new car. I don't love the car payments but I do love the way she handles the snow.

I got a new nephew in June who has proven to be just as delightful as my old one;)

I could probably think of a few other big external events that occurred but I think that will suffice.

As far as my yoga goes...

...at the beginning of 2015, I practiced more yoga on my mat--and now as '15 has faded away I realize that I've spent the past 6 months practicing more yoga off my mat.

The yoga I've practiced off my mat looks a lot like forgiveness, patience, trust, surrender, and grace.

The "lessons" that 2015 taught me weren't new. They are the same lessons that life teaches me every year really--in fact, more like everyday. Some of those lessons are: that you can't control who you love or why you love someone--and to quit trying to figure it all out. Just love them. And likewise, forgive them. Holding grudges and holding on to painful story lines don't serve us in the least. HOWEVER, learning how to truly forgive and let go is tough and sometimes seems impossible. There really is no formula for doing that--but I've learned, for me, that if I focus on the good and on the love I have for that person or situation MORE than on the ways they hurt me, eventually those painful feelings and frustrating emotions dissipate.

Another lesson is that people are people--regardless of what place they hold in the world or in your heart--they are just like you. They are capable of making really bad decisions (and really good decisions) and although their decisions affect you, it's really unfortunately never about you. They weren't trying to hurt you intentionally. And yes, we are all responsible for our own decisions and the consequences they carry but try and remember that they share the same organs and vessels as you. And that they too, are riddled with self doubt and insecurities and a lot of times they don't have their shit together on the inside. These people are your yoga teachers, mentors, pastors, best friends, role models, and public figures. They are people too, you know;) Maybe for 2016 we can all show them more compassion and more grace and try and not to be so judgemental.

But perhaps the best lesson 2015 has allowed me to see with even bigger eyes is that regardless of where I live, what possessions I own (or don't own), where I work, whether I'm single or in a relationship--that I have the power and choice to be happy, joyful, and free. Regardless of outside circumstances, I can choose to treat others with respect and dignity or I can choose to be an asshole. Everyday I can choose to feel sorry for myself because I don't have a ring on my finger nor am I waking up for 3am feedings because I'm almost 34 and I don't have a child--or I can choose to be grateful that I can still sleep in and do whatever I want with my time because that responsibility hasn't been given to me yet.

Not letting outside circumstances control my happiness allows me to enjoy this beautiful life and to greet every day as an opportunity to learn more, experience more, and ultimately to be of service to others and a good steward of this earth.

And then of course this brings me to the one-true-universal-absolute-truth of not only 2015 but of every year: that the ONLY constant in this life is change. And so, my precious and beautiful friends-get good at adapting:)

I have no idea what 2016 holds in store for me but I trust that it will be exactly what I need. I will be in the beautiful state of Colorado until April and then after that I will probably venture back south to my people and am hoping to start formulating a plan for incorporating all my yoga trainings with my profession to bring more yoga therapeutics to the table of healthcare.

I want to thank each of you who have cheered me on, encouraged me, and supported me through each new venture that came my way in 2015. I would not be where I am now if it weren't for you and all the love and light and inspiration you have given me to pursue my dreams and explore new uncharted territories. I am grateful for each of you and love you dearly.

My prayer and hope for each of you this coming new year is that you will be happy, healthy, joyful, and free--and that you will continue to pursue your passions and dreams and find immense satisfaction in your lives--both on and off your mat.

HAPPY 2016, FRIENDS!!!

From my heart to yours,
Jennifer

"Today we ‪practice beginnings - you are wiser now than you have ever been, and tomorrow you have the privilege of starting the story of a new year of your life. Honor all that had to happen, good or bad, to get you here. What happens next is entirely up to you.

Practice on." 

~Manduka Yoga Company 

Be Smart, Be Open, Be Boulder: an update from your favorite MS hippie

Dear family, friends, & loves back home,

Greetings from the foothills of Boulder, CO!

I have now been in this glorious state for almost 2 weeks and I can honestly say that it fits me like a glove. It's been instant love here in Boulder and I could not be happier with the way this summer worked out.

We are now in week 2 of our teacher training at 90 Monkeys and first off, YES, Amy Ippoliti is just as radiant and glowing in real life as she is on-line and in pictures. Her wealth of knowledge on all things yoga is truly humbling and inspiring. She is just a phenomenal person inside and out and I feel so lucky and blessed that I get this time to study with her.

I am in class with 28 other radiant budding yoga teachers to be and they are all equally delightful and full of amazing insights and wisdom. The youngest is 19 and the oldest is 64. They come from all over--Iceland, Australia, Japan, Italy, Scotland, Germany---and they all teach me new things about myself and about yoga each and everyday.

We are in training everyday from 9am - 5:30pm. We have a 4 hour block in the morning, an hour for lunch, and then a 4 hour block in the afternoons. Our sessions are divided up into yoga philosophy, history, anatomy/alignment, teaching methodology, the business of yoga, and of course we do a lot of this through asana practice. But, NO, we aren't practicing asana 8 hours a day. However our little brains are practicing retaining a lot of new material each and everyday so even if our bodies aren't sore, our brains sure are;)

I am loving the little city of Boulder and all it's beauty and activity. I had no idea how much I would love hiking but I do! I try and hike every chance I get. The city is full of all things healthy so I can honestly say that I'm eating healthier than I have in years! I even drink green juice every morning (gasp!) and I've only had ice cream once!

One of the many amazing side-benefits of studying with such a well known teacher is that we get the hook up with a lot of her sponsors! Amy is an ambassador for Prana and Toe Socks:) Our goodie bag was full of amazing things like these toe socks.

I can honestly say that this experience, thus far, has blown all my expectations out of the water. It's almost like I shed an old layer of skin---one that I didn't even realize needed shedding until I got here. My summer didn't start out as planned---in fact, it veered very differently from the original plan that I had in my head since January--but everything turned out exactly like it was supposed to. Learning to let go of things (and people) that no longer serve me has been one of the more rewarding and healing experiences that I've had.

I believe that all things happen for a reason and that regardless of the outside disguise of any situation, within it lie a multitude of blessings and revelations that couldn't have been experienced otherwise.

We are all bright luminous lights that are trying to break forth and SHINE and sometimes we allow things, people, perceptions to get in the way and cloud our light. And although we keep shining, even when it's covered with a darkness, we can't shine at our brightest capacity until we move through the darkness. There really is no way around it but to move through it.

My teacher says, "Gratitude is an attitude that hooks you up to your source of supply" and it's true. Being hooked up and in sync with the universe is better than any high I've ever experienced with drugs or alcohol.

I look forward to the rest of this training and the doors it will open up for me as a teacher and student of yoga.

I'm still going with the flow and taking life one day at a time while truly savoring each moment of this awesome experience.

I do miss Mississippi and all of you very much. The old saying is true, "you can take the girl out of Mississippi but you can't take Mississippi out of the girl."

Thank you for your love, support, texts, calls, packages--they all make me miss you even more and make me so grateful for the community I have back home. There is truly no place like home and I look forward to being back with you guys when that time comes.

Until then, I'll just keep hiking and drinking my green juice and doing lots of yoga!

From my heart to yours,
Jenny (which is what they all call me here)

And so it begins...

When I was 24 years old, I was in what you might call a "yogic high". I was practicing regularly and teaching regularly. All I wanted to do was save the world through yoga. After studying several different styles of yoga I decided that Jivamukti was the style for me. I was seriously researching their month long yoga teacher training program and in fact, a flight was even booked for this journey. But things didn't turn out quite like I had planned (do they really ever? ha!) and I ended up not only NOT going to the teacher training but I quit teaching yoga as well. I could explain what happened during that time in my life but that would literally take you an hour to read (and I don't think you'd really want that).

As most of you know, last summer the call to teach again summoned me back to take the seat of a teacher. I was a little hesitant and fearful at first because it had been SO long since I'd taught but I knew the call inside was so strong that I couldn't ignore it.

So I started teaching again.

And what a ride and blessing it's been.

Some of you may also know that since I've graduated from OT school that I've talked about doing travel therapy. If you aren't familiar with what that is, click here.

I knew last summer that I wanted to study yoga more in depth and receive more training so as to become more well-versed in teaching and so on a whim, I applied to a yoga teacher training with someone that I've wanted to be my teacher since 2009--Amy Ippoliti.

I really didn't think I'd get accepted because of the space limit (only 30 accepted applicants) and self-fear and doubt crept in and told me, "Nope, you're really not qualified enough to study with her but just go ahead and see what you get anyway."

Two days after I applied I received a personal email from Amy telling me I'd been accepted. I was shocked. And over the moon. And I knew this meant one thing--that it's time for me to go.

(To read all about Amy, click here!)

And so my dear friends,

I'm moving to Boulder, Colorado at the beginning of July. 

This decision was not made hastily and honestly was a very very difficult and hard decision for me to make because I love Jackson. I love my job(s), my co-workers, my community, my amazing friends, and my family. And moving means that I will be far away from all of that. But I feel confident that this call to go and have an adventure won't be permanent and I fully expect and hope to be back in Jackson or the near Jackson area when I "settle" down.

I am over the moon for this opportunity and for the chance to study under Amy but I am truly going to miss the life I've created for myself in Jackson over the past 6 years.

So MANY big things happened to me while I've been here. I'm not going to list them all but they all fall under the category of "Transitioning into Adulthood". I found a career, a life, and a home in Jackson, MS. I grew from being the most irresponsible and party-going girl to a responsible grownup. And I will always be so so thankful for this place.

I'll be leaving July 1st to head to Meridian to hang out with my family before I pack up Josie (my Subaru) and make my way to Colorado around the 8th or 9th of July.

The teacher training will go from July 15th to August 15th and after that I have no idea what I'll be doing. I'm literally "going with the flow" and "living in the present moment" on this one. I'll start applying for and seriously looking into therapy jobs around the Boulder area closer to time. I am not 100% sure I'll even stay in Boulder depending on the job market and availability of OT jobs around that time. I may end up in Denver or some other little CO town and I am trusting that God will guide me as I blindly follow this call and pack up my shit to head West (young woman).

June 29th will be my last class to teach at Butterfly (sad face).

I am infinitely grateful to Scotta for giving me the opportunity to teach at Butterfly the past few months. And I am just as grateful and thankful for my friends who show up week after week on their mats to listen to me ramble on about all things yoga and try and make sense of the yogic life on our mats as we move through postures. Your love and support and encouragement has given me the strength and courage to reach for the stars and make my dreams come true.

I look forward to being just a student again for awhile and ingesting so many nuggets of truth this summer with Amy and her crew. I look forward to learning as much as I can so that I can continue to hone this skill as I figure out how and in what capacity I'll use this in my future. I know that I want to use yoga as a therapeutic modality in my field of occupational therapy and I potentially want to develop continuing education courses for occupational therapists on the subject of yoga and how to use it and incorporate it into our field with our patients regardless of setting or population.

Maybe I'll also open up a marijuana bakery and private practice combined into one (kidding, Mom).

I'll keep up this blog while I'm gone and will continue to post events and articles and pictures from my experience on my facebook page: Hippie of Healthcare. So, follow me on instagram and facebook to keep up with my adventures.

I will miss you all greatly.

Thank you for giving me a chance.

Thank you for opening up your heart so graciously to me and teaching me so many things about myself and about life. I am a better person for knowing you and having you in my life in whatever capacity you were in it. Each of you are important to me and I will cherish the time we spent together with sincere fondness.

Come see me in Colorado!

I love you all!
Jen

Transition Tuesday

 I must say, I get a kick out of all the cool-kid witty-hashtag lingo that buzzes around social media these days. Perhaps you've noticed it too. There's #MancrushMonday #TransformationTuesday #WomanCrushWednesday #ThrowbackThursday and I believe Friday is #FlashbackFriday (which would be the same thing as throw back thursday, correct?) And in the yoga world there's #TransitionTuesday in which YOGANONYMOUS usually features some pretty cool Yogi's demonstrating some pretty un-real transitions. Most of them are out- of- this- world -hard and unattainable (for now) but every now and again I like to give them a go. 

I filmed two separate videos two days apart. My transition was going from Downward Facing Dog
 (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana). The first video features the transition with knees bent. And then the second with straight legs.

I want to talk a little bit about these transitions because they are both transitions that I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS thought I would ever do. One year ago this month I began to find the slightest bit of hang-time in my handstand in the middle of the room. I could sometimes find it and sometimes (most of the time) not. This was something that I had been practicing fairly regularly for several years. Scotta (my yoga teacher) would try and try so hard to teach me how to get my hips over my shoulders and keep my front ribs in but I just never made the connection--until one day when I did. 

I'm not exactly sure what happened. But one day, after many many years of practice, I found the connection from the core to the limbs and I faced the fear that "what if I fall on my head or can't get up?" . The fear of failing was so great that it kept me from attempting handstand in the middle of the room for years. I'm not exactly sure what I was afraid of because I've had full wheel in my practice for years and I've always had a lot of upper body strength so falling on my head has never been very likely (I say all of that to reiterate the point that most of the time, our fears are mostly ill-logical and unwarranted and they mostly don't come true). But there was always the "What if's" that kept me from attempting what is now one of my most favorite postures of all.

Here's another little piece of information--on the days I don't work, I spend up to 3 hours on my mat. Yep--3 whole frickin' hours. Sometimes more and sometimes less. During the days when I do work, I still try and get at least 60 minutes in after work. This doesn't always happen but the majority of days it does.

Why am I telling you this? 

Because you don't learn transitions and postures like handstand or handstand pike and full wheel over night. You don't find the balance in a handstand after a few tries. I mean, I'm sure some people get them more quickly than others but in my experience it takes an awful lot of work before the body clicks in connection with your brain. It takes hours upon hours of try after try after try--of falling and falling and falling some more.

BUT, eventually it comes. It's just like anything else you do or you've done in your life--the amount of work you put into anything is the amount of progress you see in your life. It's true both on and off our mats. 

There are still SO SO many transitions I can't do. There are so many postures I can't even begin to figure out how to get in. But that's the beauty of yoga. You're never finished learning. There is always more. You don't get to level 3 and then boom--ballgame. Nope. You keep climbing and climbing and sometimes you fall a little in between each step up. 

But more than the physical transitions of yoga, I find the spiritual and psychological transitions in life equally difficult to achieve. The transition from anger to forgiveness; judgement to acceptance; criticism to positivity; darkness to light. The list goes on and on. I find THOSE transitions the hardest.  Just as the subtle movements and concentration that must occur to do a transition from downward facing dog to handstand, there must also be a softness and lightness in both heart and spirit and yet a fierce dedication and mental determination in order for it to happen.

I know we like to think in terms of categories or boxes because sometimes it does make life seem easier to deal with but when we examine our WHOLE life, these things--the physical things and the spiritual things can't be separated. They must be truly integrated in order for us to find that connection that we all so desperately long for. 

Yes, I want to be able to press into handstand with straight legs because I know it will feel incredible to be able to be that in control of your body and possess that amount of strength. But more than that, I want to be able to always think before I speak so I don't unintentionally hurt people. I want to give more grace to the people that annoy me. I want to be more tolerant and patient with people that move too slow. Those are the transitions I want to master in my life. And if by working on my mat 3 hours a couple of days a week might show me some results in a few more years, then by golly I gotta lot more hours to log;) It is about the journey. Because at some point along the road, you realize there is no destination.

With deep love and gratitude to all of my amazing students out there who inspire me on a daily basis, and to all of my loving friends and fans that show up for me day after day and leave me comments and "likes" on my social media--you have no idea how much your kindness touches my heart. Thank you for being you. And thank you for your continual love and support on this path.

Namaste right here on my couch for the rest of the evening:)

Jen

Monday Night Yoga

I finally committed...

...to teaching a regularly scheduled yoga class! 

I am very excited to announce that for the next several months, I'll be teaching yoga on Monday Nights at Butterfly Yoga.

And although I am no Scotta, I will do my best to bring you a fun-filled, inspirational, and honest yoga class.

What you need to know:

This is a level 2 class which typically translates into "intermediate" or  "advanced". However, I want to challenge the notion of what "advanced" means. And because I'm sure there are a million different answers as to what yoga instructors may say, I"ll tell you what my version of "advanced" means.

It means to be purposeful in every transition and to be mindful and aware of your body as you move on your yoga mat and being okay with where you are in your practice. 

It doesn't mean you must be able to handstand in the middle of the room. It doesn't mean if you can't do a backbend that you aren't advanced enough to come.

It just means that you understand your body enough to know when to stop pushing and yet also when to start pushing. It means that you are okay with getting off at your "bus stop" along the route to more challenging asanas. It means listening and honoring your body and not flinging yourself up on the wall just because a few other people in the class are.

However, a level 2 yoga class also implies that you've done some yoga before.

So, if I had to type out a class description so people would know what to expect for this class, it might read something like this:

"This class will continue to broaden the asana experience bringing students into the intermediate level and beyond. You will expand on poses that will further challenge your strength, stamina, and flexibility, moving you into more advanced asana poses. Creative sequencing will provide a full body and mind experience. This class will involve more backbends and inversions. This class is accessible to most students, but students should be in overall good health."

(That was taken from several different descriptions I found online--and I just kind of pieced them together.) 

If this sounds like you and where you are in your yoga practice, join me! And if not, then there are plenty more scheduled classes throughout the week that might be what you're looking for. 

If you have any questions about this class and your ability or comfort level, please don't hesitate to message or call me. 

Details for Class: 

When: Monday Nights at 5:30-6:45pm

Where: Butterfly Yoga 3025 North State St. Jackson, MS

How much: $15 for a drop-in class. Other class packages are listed on website

I am truly honored at this opportunity. 

I am excited to see what we will learn together during the next few months. 

And don't worry, if you already miss Scotta, she'll be back in no time! 

With Love,

Jen 

Rut-Ro: How to Make Your Practice Come Alive Again

Yoga ruts.

They happen.

Just like ruts with everything else we have in life--whether it be our job, relationships, exercise, eating--you name it. It's hard to stay dedicated to the course when inspiration seems to be in hiding and our friend, WillPower,  just isn't strong enough to carry us on his back.

The good news is that the ruts don't last forever. The bad news is that they will happen again. Whether they are currently happening right now for you or not, one thing I do know about yoga and about life, is that it is filled with both peaks of lightness and inspiration and also valleys of apathy and disconnection.

So, how do you get from here to where you want to be?

1) Own it! Wherever you are right now in your practice---both on and off the mat--realize that it's exactly where you are supposed to be and that it's OKAY. It doesn't mean that you're a bad yogi because you don't feel like practicing. It doesn't mean that you are doing something wrong. It just means that you need to pause--find your breath--and take a little inventory inside your heart.

2) Change it up! If you are a regular at a yoga studio and take the same classes every week with the same teacher, switch it up! Try a new studio or a different teacher. I know for me, making myself get out of my comfort zone and trying something new often ignites an inner spark. Or maybe it will just allow you the opportunity to meet new yogis in your area and that alone is pathway for inspiration.

3) Challenge yourself. If you see yourself as a level 1 student and have only been taking level 1 classes, it might be time to bump it up! Who cares if you can't do hand stands in the middle of the room or even push up into a full backbend--often times being around students who are able to do those postures are inspiring but also it's inspiring to give it a shot yourself. You might just surprise yourself.

OR, if you see yourself as a Level 2 or 3 student who only goes to Level 2 or 3 classes, take a beginners class. I most often have my "ah-ha" moments either taking or teaching a basic level 1 yoga class. I personally wish we could do away with "levels" all together because for a lot of yogis it defines how "good" or "advanced" they think they are--when in reality, the most advanced yogi in the room is the one who is taking child's pose in the back.

4) Do an Instagram Challenge! Yep. You heard me right. For months and months I made so much fun of people who participated in those silly challenges. And then I found myself doing one to essentially "mock" those who did them (yes, totally un-yogic like I know) and what I found was that they truly motivated and inspired me to practice on a regular basis and to pay attention to what I thought I knew. It also forces you to be vulnerable. Nothing like posting a pic of yourself falling over or attempting a posture you can't even remotely do to demonstrate that there is no such thing as a perfect posture and that laughing at yourself is therapeutic.

5) Give yourself a break! If you practice 5 days a week, chill out. Take a few days off. Take a month off! Explore new hobbies or pick an old one back up!

6) Get on your mat. At home, in the park, on a hill--wherever. During the lackluster lull, and the constant battle over whether or not I feel like doing yoga--if I can just make myself get on my mat and show up, I at least feel better afterwards. I don't always get an instant spark of inspiration but it does make me feel good --in fact usually good enough to get on my mat again.

7) Read--about other people's yoga journeys. In general, all of us yogi's are seekers. And we all have a pretty great story of how we found yoga. Some of us were addicts who had lost our way, some of us are recovering perfectionists who had to learn to let go of control, some come from extreme religious backgrounds and found yoga as the path way to spirituality, and some found yoga through their distorted body images and eating disorders as the way to find healing and make peace with their bodies. Through whatever ways and however people found yoga--their stories always fascinate me and inspire me.

8) Just be patient. Learn to be still--to be okay with the stillness and the period of "blah-ness" that may be describing your yoga practice right now. Sit with the discomfort. Sit with the stillness. And it will teach you just as much as inspiration if you let it.

Soon enough, inspiration and motivation will find you again. And you will experience new joys and new adventures both on and off your mat.

What are some ways that you've found to motivate and inspire you when you've been at a standstill with your practice? Message me and let me know so I can share it with those who want to hear!

With Joy and Peace,
Jen



*This post was inspired by questions and comments I receive from YOU in my inbox. Got a question or comment about yoga? Email me and hopefully together we can dig deeper to gain a better understanding of certain subjects, find a solution, answer questions, and help others out by sharing it with them.*