Blog

Off the Mat into the Wedding Weekend

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.

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Samsara, Free Dad Hugs, and the Ethics of Kindness

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.

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Living Truthfully When Life Gets Full

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.

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Choose to Refuse during Plastic Free July

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.

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More Than Movement: The Ethics at the Heart of Yoga

Black and white photo of Matthew on a mat with the soles of his feet together, hands clasped around his feet and head lowered, two other students on mats behind him.
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.

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How I Teach Mindful Yoga, and Why

gold cambodian budda statue by a lake
After subbing a Mindful Yoga class at Common Ground Meditation, I reflect on how my journey through Buddhist meditation and yoga teacher training shapes the way I teach. I explore how breath, movement, and ethics come together as an embodied practice of mindfulness and letting go.

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The Spaciousness of Generosity

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.

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How to Deal with Change Using Yoga’s Ethical Principles

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.

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