I’ve been reading a lot, having discussions, and posting articles I find helpful. I want this world to be a better place for my child, my friends, my family, and my neighbors (and beyond). I’m sure we all want that. In order to create that, we must honestly look at ourselves, our friends, our families, our past behaviors, and thoughts. We need to find a way to do better. We cannot find solutions coming from a place of judgement. We don’t know what it’s like to live the life of another. We must come to the table to listen and share experiences, then do something about it. I found this article helpful. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/subtly-racist-things-to-stop-saying If you have any solutions for yoga teachers to help raise up and empower BIPOC voices, Please share.

Teaching yoga online when you don’t have a studio/sound proof room is challenging. Ginger jumped on the couch and was barking out the window during class, so I grabbed her and pulled her on me while teaching. Tabasco was laying in place the entire time. Meanwhile out of the corner of my eye, my son is filming me on his iPad, while I’m on the ground teaching live filming with my iPad setup. I had to concentrate hard so I wouldn’t burst out laughing—my automatic response to everything. Not the best quality but I have to laugh 😂😂😂, so glad he decided to film this moment.❤️ When do we return to normal? . . #teachingyoga #yogaonline #yogawellnesslifestyle #lifewithdoxies #dachshundsandyoga

Sometimes this is what breakfast looks like. Pasta for breakfast. Fresh picked arugula and oregano from the garden. #plantbasedmeals #pastaforbreakfast #sanjosevegans #longislandvegan #bayareavegans #plantbasedpasta #yogawellnesslifestyle #italianvegan

My neighborhood❤️ I love my neighbors! I find the best way to reduce my anxiety is to walk for miles in my neighborhood listening to my favorite tunes. I typically walk 4-5 miles a day these days. The soundtrack playing depends on the day but as of late these are some of the tunes in my mix: Alicia Keys— Underdog Dar Williams — Family Taylor Swift — Only the Young (yes, you read that right, TS. You’ll find me skipping down the street to this one. Once I learned the inspiration for this song, it’s been my go to spirit lifter song of hope) Mariah Carey — Shake it off (for grooving) Brandi Carlile — Downpour / The Joke Jewel — Family Tree #mayyoubewell #campbell #campbellca #mindbodysoulcommunity #sanjoseyoga #campbellyoga #shelterinplace

When I look at the photo above I see pure joy. It was taken on my wedding day many years ago. I don’t usually post personal photos here. I am the oldest of 16 grandchildren. I can picture myself in the place and time of all except the first one’s birth. I remember the day Gary was born, we were all at my grandparent’s house, anxiously waiting for the call. I believe the phone was blue, it was hanging on the wall—a rotary phone. At the time, you didn’t know the gender of the baby beforehand, so we waited with excitement for the call. With each birth, a different memory emerges. I am closer in age to my aunts than most of my first cousins. Half of them were born after I went to college. We are slowly scattering across the country and multiple continents but NY is always home-base. The recent passing of our young cousin Jessie has caught us all off guard. There was already so much sadness in the world and it just made everything heavier. Unfortunately I have witnessed many family members and friends passing from long distance. Most of them were at the end of their lifespan so we knew our time was limited. Each time I said goodbye in NY, I said it with intention because I never knew if that time would be the last. I made my peace. I missed many funerals and was ok with it because as Aunt Dot always said, she wanted to see me while she was alive, not after she was dead. I found a path to grieving here in California, mostly at hot sweaty yoga classes. Something about being in that hot room, practicing yoga with other humans, tears disguised as sweat. Except this time there was no yoga studio. The passing of Jessie hits so much harder. She was 22 and had overcome so many obstacles in her life. She became a story of success. She had two beautiful children she loved dearly. The double whammy is that this occurred unexpectedly in the time of Covid-19. 10 people max at a funeral. 50 burials at one cemetery a day. I decided to dedicate every single yoga practice to a different cousin beginning with my grandparents 16 grandchildren. “Let your love cover me, Like a pair of angel wings. You are my family. You are my family.” Performed by Dar Williams—great song❤️

Vegan conchas and cuernitos and a 10 year old critiquing my accent. Thanks Jaguar Baker for making our bellies smile. #veganpasteries #Sanjosevegans #jaguarbaker

So grateful to @spadeandplow for their weekly csa delivery. The team over there has gone above and beyond what they needed to do to make sure people in the Bay Area can get access to fresh organic produce. They have been wonderful to work with during this challenging time. Can’t wait to eat these!!! . . #csa #spadeandplow #californiafarms #sanjosevegans #bayareavegetarians

My weekly mantra. Inhale to the count of 1 2 3 4 5 Hold the breath. Exhale 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Hold the breath. [Repeat 3-5+ times] Slowly return to your natural pattern of breath. Say to yourself: I am Strong I am Healthy I am Resilient [Repeat it until you believe it] This is what I do to cope. Holding the exhale longer than the inhale helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce anxiety. How are you coping with anxiety? #eastwestyoga #cupertinoyoga #campbellyoga #sanjoseyoga #bayareayoga #bayareameditation #sanjosevegans #longislandyoga #mondaymantra

Take out from Pasta Armellino was a hit! Three satisfied bellies with no complaints! Three empty dishes later, we are ready to chillax. Not the best photo but they were hungry so I had to snap quickly. We will definitely be back! .#pastaarmellino #italianfoodbayarea #southbayitalianfood #campbellcalifornia #saratogacalifornia