Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off (from the uyd archives)

November 2014: When I am struggling, friends sometimes say: “Go read your own blog!” Well, this past week has been a doozy of curve balls and losses. I recalled the blog below, from December 2010. I’m a bit embarrassed to share it, because it feels like I’ve been mostly depressed since then! Truth be told, the…

My Father Is My Super Hero

My mother is my Guru.  And my father is my Super Hero. You may have read my blog about Mom being my greatest teacher.  I’ve re-posted it on her birthday, her death anniversary and Mother’s Day… Why have I not celebrated Dad in a blog?  The man has supported me – carried me, really –…

Deflated Balloons & Silver Linings

I once heard an elder in recovery share that, when consumed by great emotion, it’s essential to “stick a pin in it” by sharing. I’ve followed suit ever since. For me, to harbor negative emotions is to go toward a drink. As a recovering addict, to drink is to die. So, being open and honest is essential….

It’s A Family Affair

“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.”  ~ Confucius I have written and re-written…

Be My Valentine

It’s amazing how far from my own heart I can wander.  And not even know.  Until a massage therapist hunts me down and kindly reunites us. “Come back to your heart, Holly.” The heart does not go anywhere! It’s right there, in my chest; it’s right there, with my head; it’s there, around and within…

Falling. Smiling.

“BE PREPARED TO FALL OVER WITH A SMILE.” – J. Brown, yoga teacher, instructing Tree Pose. I’m falling.  Again.  I don’t think I got the job that I wanted.  Or the other one, that I wanted just as much. I’ve been falling a lot since moving five months ago.  I left my beloved hometown of…

Surrender, Recovery and Death

“OUR TIME ON THIS EARTH IS SACRED, AND WE SHOULD CELEBRATE EVERY MOMENT.” ~ Paolo Coelho This morning I am saying goodbye to a treasured DC friend, Sovani Meksvanh. Since before Christmas, I have been posting on my personal and Urban Yoga Den Facebook pages about his battle with late-stage cancer, and how touched I’ve…

Gratitude, Samtosha and Pratipaksha Bhavana (From The UYD Archives)

This post was originally part of my “Ahimsa Now” series regarding Peace Tools – everyday yogic actions that can create peace in our inner and outer worlds.  Today I post it as a NOTE TO SELF: reminding Holly to put these tools into action, particularly during this difficult time of transition, responsibility, instability and sadness….

Diwali, Darkness And Light (From The UYD Archives)

As most of you know, I moved to Nashville two months ago. What you might NOT know – unless you follow Urban Yoga Den on Facebook – is that, indeed, the last eight weeks have been the toughest challenge of my life so far. Darkness…oh yes, darkness. And that ever-present tug back into the light…

Letting Go and Moving On?

Although I did not plan things this way, it’s no fluke that the next New Moon and Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) coincide with my move from DC to TN.  I have been letting go of DC since the last Full Moon.  On Tuesday, September 3rd, I’ll get in my U-Haul, drive south, and let…