We’ve all been there. Sitting on our mats in an open room surrounded by yogis with jars of green goodness, lotus tattoos, and exuding inner peace. They stinkin’ glow with the “inner light” we’ve been trying to harness for years by juicing, sweating, and pushing ourselves harder. It’s discouraging, it’s shaming, but if met with a dose of self-compassion and awareness, it’s a beautiful part of our process.

<strong>The holidays are supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, right?</strong> But so often it can be tough to get in the spirit as you juggle a mile-long To-Do List and a full activity calendar, all while fighting the threat of getting sick. Here are 6 things you can do to help you stay happy and healthy this holiday season:<br />
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Why Retreat? Who needs to retreat? When to retreat?
One word~ HEALTH... physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and beyond!

Yes, because when you take the time to care for yourself you rebuild your health and well being. We generally do not slow down and care for ourselves in a meaningful way until we start to show symptoms of fatigue, a cold, skin rash... the list of subtle and not so subtle symptoms is loooong! As we start to enter the holiday season there are so many opportunities to become over stimulated, exhausted, and run down.

I'm holding a grudge. That's bad for a yoga teacher, right? But I can't seem to help myself as I walk through a class of women (and a lone, older gentleman) moving and sweating in time with the fast beat and thrumming base playing during their nightly Zumba class. Each of their faces look bright and happy, but concentrated and present as they follow the movements of the teacher.

One of the most important things I have learned from teaching yoga is very hard to do but of incalculable value.

Trust yourself first.

Please notice I did not say "trust yourself only". Listen to others' wisdom but do not lose
your rootedness in your own.

It has taken me a long time to consistently do this.

I am definitely make mistakes in my life. But I have learned that I am happier making the
mistakes I make from trusting myself first than those I make from not doing so.