Blog

When I first tried yoga, I thought it was just exercise. Over time, I discovered that slowing down, breathing, and connecting were forms of strength too. During this Movember, I will be exploring how yoga and community can support men’s health in real and practical ways.

The moment I discovered a body scan for the first time, through a simple meditation, revealed how much stress my body was carrying. I share what it felt like, why it matters, and a practical way to start noticing your own sensations. Whether you’re new to meditation or curious to explore deeper, this story offers insight and a gentle invitation to practice.

Many people reach a point where exercise and healthy habits stop being enough to manage stress. I have found that meditation can build inner strength, calm the mind, and create real change. And it starts with the smallest moments of daily life.

While biking through Carver Park, I imagined a woolly bear caterpillar as my child. That simple thought softened my heart and reminded me that karuna, or compassion, begins with how we move through the world, whether we’re pedaling, walking, or scrolling.

Practicing ahimsa, non-harming, doesn’t mean never getting angry or always being serene. It’s about meeting each moment with care. Small, everyday choices, like pausing before speaking or taking a mindful breath, can become acts of compassion. On a recent bike ride, a road called Peaceful Lane reminded me that peace isn’t only the destination, but also the way we travel.

At my cousin’s wedding, I noticed how yoga shows up in unexpected places: on the dance floor, at the candy bar, and in the vows themselves. Taking yoga off the mat doesn’t always look heroic, but it can shape how we meet each moment with presence and joy.

Life moves in cycles. So does kindness. A hug, a mantra, or a single breath are small acts that ripple outward. At the Minnesota State Fair, I wore a “Free Dad Hugs” shirt. I hugged strangers, we laughed, and we connected. Samsara (the endless cycle of birth and death) turns, and we can turn it with compassion.

Amid a summer full of family time, I began to notice the subtle ways I postponed living in alignment with my yoga values. This reflection explores how the yamas and niyamas can guide practice even when life feels full, and how imperfect, everyday moments can still honor the heart of yoga.

Each July, I take part in a global movement to reduce single-use plastic. I do this not out of guilt or a desire for perfection, but as a practice of presence, care, and alignment with values. This year, I invite you to join me.

As one chapter of parenting ends, another begins. In this reflection on yoga, family, and the practice of vairāgya (letting go), I share what I’ve learned from sixteen years of walking to the bus stop, and how love endures even as rituals change.