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Off the Mat into the Wedding Weekend

September 25, 2025

a couch in a lobby with water skis on the walls

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.

Samsara, Free Dad Hugs, and the Ethics of Kindness

September 2, 2025

the text free dad hugs under a rainbow on a gray background

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.

Living Truthfully When Life Gets Full

August 15, 2025

matthing sitting on a yoga mat next to his harmonium in the grass near trees

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.

Choose to Refuse during Plastic Free July

June 30, 2025

the text 2025 surrounded by words in a circle: join the challenge plasticfreejuly.org

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.

Practicing Vairāgya at the Bus Stop: Yoga, Parenting, and the Spiritual Practice of Letting Go

June 2, 2025

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.

More Than Movement: The Ethics at the Heart of Yoga

May 27, 2025

A black and white photo of Matthew sitting in badha konasana in a yoga class

Yoga is more than movement. Beyond the postures and breath lies a rich ethical tradition that’s often left out of research, teacher trainings, and studio classes. In this post, I explore the yamas and niyamas, the often-overlooked principles that can transform yoga from a wellness trend into a meaningful, values-based way of life.

How I Teach Mindful Yoga, and Why

May 19, 2025

Over the weekend, I subbed a “Mindful Yoga” class for Nancy Boler at Common Ground Meditation. Although I had been to Common Ground many times for talks, classes, and retreats, this was my first time teaching there. Nancy’s classes, like mine, weave together mindfulness and yoga.

In this article, I share how I teach mindful yoga, why it feels authentic, and how I bring yogic philosophy and Buddhist mindfulness into my yoga classes.

The Spaciousness of Generosity

May 12, 2025

a crabapple tree in blume, with white flowers, next to a bike path

Helping isn’t always about moral codes or checklists. Sometimes it’s about having the time and choosing to use it. This is a reflection on generosity, yoga ethics, and the power of unscheduled moments.

How to Deal with Change Using Yoga’s Ethical Principles

May 5, 2025

Matthew wearing a graduation gown, order of the arrow stash, boy scout merit badge stash, and lots of other silly graduation gear

Graduation season brings big emotions. As my youngest prepares to leave the nest, I turn to the yamas and niyamas, yoga’s ethical principles, for guidance. These ancient teachings offer tools for meeting change with compassion, truthfulness, and grace. Whether you're facing a personal transition or just navigating daily life, this article explores how yoga can support us through uncertainty.

Finding an Ethical Path Through Social Media: Why I Choose Mastodon

April 29, 2025

What if social media could feel ethical, peaceful, and human again? In this post, I explore why Mastodon feels like a Middle Way between disconnection and addiction, and how small choices online can support a values-driven life.