On June 10th, 2026 the world lost Gautam Ji. I didn't know how to sit with that sentence when I first heard it. It's taken me over two months to digest. Some things arrive too quickly, and all you can do is let them pass through you like cold water — feeling everything and nothing at once. 🕯️ Gautam Ji was my Vedanta teacher, my guru whose classes I attended every Saturday and Sunday for several years. He had been traveling to India often. We knew that. Sciatic pain, we'd

Watching Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic filled my heart in a way that’s hard to describe—but as I always say to my students, I’ll try. I’m a Venezuelan in the diaspora. I left as a little girl, and I haven’t been able to visit my family back home in over 17 years—I felt this victory in my soul. The pride wasn’t only about the win. It was the spirit of the team: the joy, the celebration, the smiles. In all of it, I saw my primos, my tíos, and my brothers. Their joy w

(Lessons from my dirty dishes) I found myself with a little extra time this morning. My “ladies holiday” interrupted my morning Ashtanga practice, so after my spiritual reading and pranayama, I found myself washing the dishes left in the sink from last night — nothing glamorous, just the ordinary rhythm of caring for my family. Along with several plates and cutlery, there was one bowl with the remnants of a frozen watermelon-and-mint treat I had enjoyed the previous evening.

Valentine’s Day, for some, means flowers and romance. For me, it’s a quiet ache that returns each year like a familiar tide. Valentine’s Day typically sells romantic love as the main course—loving couples, roses, reservations, a celebration of love, but also the idea that love is something we prove to others in a commercialized and materialistic way. I believe loving ourselves is like a seed, the quiet beginning where all love can bloom from—wether for partners, friends, fam

As the holiday season ramps up, the world around us encourages more—more shopping, more stuff, more hustle. But what if true joy comes from less? Choosing less isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making space for what truly matters. Making Space for What Matters Recently, I dropped my son off at work—he’s at Vineyard Vines in a busy outlet mall—and was struck by the sheer number of people crowding the stores. Parking lots were overflowing, police were directing traffic, and p

There’s a special kind of magic in the early morning. When the world is still, the sky painted with soft pinks and golds, and the only sound is the quiet hum of possibility. I find myself drawn to the sunrise—not just for the beauty, but for the sense of renewal it brings. It’s become my sacred time for yoga, a daily ritual that grounds me as life keeps shifting around me. Majestic Sunrise over the Ocean at Sivananda Ashram For years, I’ve been chasing the sunrise. Always loo

Imagine walking for days, weeks, and months through ancient forests. Your entire world narrows to the rhythm of your breath and the crushing weight of your pack. That’s where my son Kendrick is right now, somewhere between Georgia and Maine, smack dab in the middle of the Appalachian Trail (AT). Kendrick has shared how the physical demands of the trail intertwine with the emotional and mental toll of the journey. Out there, it’s not just about willing yourself through mile af

A few months ago, I came down with a bad flu? Fever, chills, and body pain left me bedridden, unable to utilize my usual tools for staying mindful and positive. I couldn’t do my asana practice. I couldn’t even sit up to breathe deeply or meditate. Walking or soaking in the sun, two of my favorite ways to reconnect with myself, weren’t options either—it was too cold outside. I hit a bottom, struggling to find my way back to a sense of peace. My toolbox containing gratitude s

In today’s fast-paced world, we’re taught from an early age to value productivity, logic, and long-term planning above all else. We’re encouraged to think ahead, stay busy, and strive for success as if our worth depends on it. By the time we reach our senior year of high school, we’re expected to have it all figured out—what we want to study, what career we’ll pursue, and how we’ll contribute to this world. But what happens when the heart calls us in a different direction? or

Life more often thank not, mirrors the journeys we embark upon, whether it’s a several month long, 3,000-mile trek across the Appalachian Trail or the daily practice of stepping onto a yoga mat. Both are opportunities to learn, connect, lighten our load, and embrace the beauty of the present moment. Day 1 of the Appalachian Trail! My son Kendrick has embarked on a remarkable journey—a brave quest to walk the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. This iconic trail, known fo

I wasn't certain how to tackle this subject, especially during this time of year. But felt it was necessary to talk about as we embark on the season when we're all expected to be loving, generous, peaceful, giving, and embody any other sentiments the holidays are meant to inspire. I guess in many ways, addressing the subject of healing invisible wounds requires us to be giving, generous, and to come from a place of love and peace. It's crucial that we see ourselves as expert

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drops, many of us begin to feel the weight of winter. For me, this time of year has always been a struggle, specially since moving back to Maryland from sunny South Beach, FL. The short days, lack of sunlight, the oppressive cold, and the seemingly never-ending gray skies creep in and bring with them the familiar fog of seasonal depression. Over the years, I’ve slowly learned how to manage these feelings and keep myself moving forward