In the lowest points of my life, I would not let anyone in. It was always the safer, easier choice, to stay small and not even bother trying to experience more than I had or more than I was. The feeling of being unworthy or not good enough was so overwhelming that reaching out to … Continue reading When We Lift Each Other Up
Stress Management
Busting a Few Myths About Healthy Living
When I started this blog six years ago I was just looking for a platform to share my thoughts on healthy living. As a young teenager, I watched my dad suffer from Type 2 Diabetes and then suddenly pass from Pancreatic Cancer and so I became impassioned about the idea that I could have helped … Continue reading Busting a Few Myths About Healthy Living
Healing Through Community
There was a time in my life that I felt like I had nothing but questions and absolutely no answers. I found myself alone, in a relatively unknown town, questioning who I was, what I was doing, and why I kept making decisions to repeatedly get me in situations where these same questions kept coming … Continue reading Healing Through Community
We Are All Victims of Diet Culture
As I continue to speak out as an advocate against diet culture it's clear to me that it may be helpful to simply list the signs of its effects so we can all better identify its existence in our lives. In order for us to truly change what's acceptable in our society we have to … Continue reading We Are All Victims of Diet Culture
A Life of Gratitude
Only with gratitude can our hearts take flight. In the beginning of each asana practice I first work to settle my nerves. I calm my thoughts and begin to let go and just before opening my eyes I say a prayer of gratitude for this body, this life, and this practice. The beauty of the … Continue reading A Life of Gratitude
Redefining Self Worth
In my early twenties I worked in a bank. I was opening a new account for an elderly Chinese couple one day as the husband stared at me. Finally he shared what he was thinking and asked, "Why do you look Asian?" I responded proudly and with a smile "Oh, because I am!" He then … Continue reading Redefining Self Worth
The Power of Equanimity
When we think about what causes us distress it is typically our reaction to the cause which feeds into the anxiety, sorrow, or pain that takes us far beyond where we intended to go. In order to find balance and stillness within our lives we must first be willing to see clearly the cause and … Continue reading The Power of Equanimity
Healing from Diet Culture
As I continue to work on living my best life into my forties, I must face the debilitating beliefs that plagued my childhood, teen years, and younger adulthood. I am grateful for ever coming across The Four Agreements more than 10 years ago to help me start to reset my way of thinking. I realize … Continue reading Healing from Diet Culture
A Catalyst for Change
Looking back at the times I was the most lost, the most broken and damaged I have ever felt, I remember feeling like it would never end. It is so easy to swim in despair and stay there......and more importantly, on some level, want to stay there. As humans, we are so good at adapting … Continue reading A Catalyst for Change
The Answer is Experience
"What is the point?" An exasperated student asked herself this when she was first introduced to the Ashtanga method of Yoga Asana (physical postures). Depending on how one is exposed to this method or the expectations of yoga the student already has, it can feel very fast, quite vigorous, and for some unnecessarily challenging. This … Continue reading The Answer is Experience
Healthy Living by V 