Augusts….

It is still early August here in Washington and I find myself reflecting on August’s of the past. I still remember the high school thrill of sports starting. For me this meant either volleyball practices or my preferred long cross country distance running. More recently though, August has been this absolutely incredible time of downloads and insights. I’m not really one to commemorate holidays/anniversaries etc but the date that I do really like to come back to is the date I left my ‘big girl job’.

It was August 2019. Early that month, I took myself on a trip to Ouray, Colorado. It is known as the Swiss Alps of Colorado. It is breathtaking. Amazing hikes everywhere, fresh mountain air, crisp mornings and cool evenings. I needed a break. I needed nature. So I loaded up my car and my dog and we headed out. On a particular hike, I remember my sense of hearing zeroing in. It was this explicitly precise recognition of the moment my boot crunched down on a leaf. Like as the leaf was crumbling beneath the weight of my body I could hear the crunch with such clarity. I had never experienced that clear of a sound before. Then the downloads came. Downloads about knowing what I needed to do…. Downloads that it was time for me to do something. 

From one of my hikes in Ouray. It should go without saying that the picture does not do justice. 

At the time, I feigned ignorance. Claiming to myself that I had no idea what this was in reference to. I thought ‘oh maybe it's about the man I’m seeing’ but I was honestly already done in that relationship… I wracked my brain to rationalize anything else it could mean. Then the dream came. I still remember the clarity. The crystal clear crispness of the dream. The airbnb that I stayed in was in the basement of a larger house. I could, on occasion, hear the family upstairs. Nothing overly loud and nothing concerning. This is important for when I describe the dream… in the dream, I am in the basement Airbnb. I am sleeping and wake to the noise of the couple arguing. It is loud arguing. Violent arguing. I had a thought in the dream of ‘are there even police in this tiny town to respond to this’? In the dream, I call the police. The next morning, upon waking, I am still in an ethereal dream world. 

Another view from one of the lovely hikes in Ouray. 

The dream was so vivid, I was convinced it had happened, the arguing. The violence. The call to the police. I looked at my phone to check my call record. I had not called the police. Relief rushed over me. The dream lingered. Something was coming through. Something urgent. I happened to be reading ‘Running with the Wolves’ and I remember reading something in this book about dreams often presenting as a sort of ‘alarm call’, like a need to take action. 

I still feigned ignorance again. Perhaps I wasn’t quite ready to say what I knew I needed or perhaps I couldn’t quite name what I knew I needed to do. 

Either way, I finished the trip while being deep in my experiences. I found myself wandering through what I was going to do with this insightful wisdom coursing through my existence. As I got back into my normative routine, I soon realized that the call to action was in reference to my job. I was the training coordinator for the Division of Adult Parole for the state’s Department of Corrections. The position was stressful; coordinating dates for weapons to be armored, ensuring all the ammunition was accounted for, updating training to meet policy guidelines, and still offering trainings to staff. After having served as a Community Parole Officer and Specialized Trainer prior to this position, I was not new to a stressful position. But I was reaching my limit. My window of tolerance had shrunk and my ability to find balance was nearly diminished. My spiritual practices were not a luxury, they were an absolute necessity. 

The call to action after my Ouray trip was to leave my nearly 12 year tenure with the state. I had an interview with a coffee spot near my apartment, thinking this would be an ideal stepping stone for me. So, with only the clarity that I needed to do something, I knew I needed to do something about my current job. I was stressed, miserable and completely overworking myself in a position and agency that I had such little alignment with. I submitted my 2 week notice. Co-workers all asked whether I was ok, how was going to pay bills. I was very emotional and unsure of why I had such big emotions. I cried nearly every day in my final 2 weeks. I worked with many great people and thought perhaps I was sad to leave them. I had someone ask if I actually was getting fired and if that was why I was so emotional. Though I did work with great folks, the tears weren’t from leaving those relationships and I did not get fired either (to be clear). I now know the emotions were from my soul. My higher self. Weeping at the relief of being freed from such a dreaded existence. 

I’d never made a move quite like that before. Though I had a ‘job’ at a local coffee shop, I lasted 2.5 days before I quit. I fully knew that I would be taken care of (I would tap into my retirement if needed and I also had a bit of cushion from student loans as I was completing my masters degree), I would be ok and I had no idea how any of that was going to work. On August 31, 2019, I turned over my keys and all the stress I’d been carrying. It is still one of the most liberating experiences I’ve been through. 

Fast forward to 2022. I was teaching yoga again. I was working for a local county government with one of the most passionate and hardworking groups of people I've ever known (I honestly loved this team and my position) and I had been working at a few community colleges as an adjunct professor. I was also doing a little bit of consulting work. I felt freed from the chains of full time work, yet still incomplete. Like the part of me that knew to quit also knew that I hadn’t quite found where I was meant to be. 

Then my dad died in April. The man I was seeing ended our relationship shortly after Dad passed. Though I had applied to be considered for a full time faculty position at one of the community colleges, I was not interested in accepting the position had it been offered. I had decided in August I would make a road trip to Canada. It, at the time, would be the furthest I would have driven and the longest time I would have ever been away from my home. And I had so many doubts about going. Is it financially responsible? What would I do for income when I returned? Should I be driving this far away? What if something happens with my dog while we’re traveling? I can list many other questions about my uncertainty. The confidence that I had when I left my position in Parole was seemingly gone. 

Putting my faith in heaven’s, I asked the universe for a sign as to whether I should go. The next morning, I got up and took my dog for a walk, as we do every morning. This particular morning, I saw a kiddo wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt. I commented on his shirt, thinking rarely had I seen kids wearing a disney character that I recognize.  That morning, I had to take my car to the dealership, as an indicator light came on (I thought this was potentially THE sign). As I am in the uber from the dealership, I notice the driver is wearing a shirt with Mickey Mouse all over it. I happened to be telling her about my Canada trip when I noticed her shirt. 

As I got my car back from the dealership, I happened to glance down into the front passenger side foot area. I had gotten some windshield sun blockers and the wrapper was there on the floor. But what I notice now is a Mickey Mouse sticker. It is as though that clarity with the leaf came back. My awareness is immersed in Mickey. It was clear that the universe is sending signs. What does all this mean?! I get back to my apartment and I am reaching around a top cabinet to find a lid to some tupperware. I unintentionally grabbed a hold of something I couldn't piece together with just touch. It was the Mickey Mouse mug from the millennial celebration in Disney World from 2000, the trip I went on with my dad’s entire side of the family from nearly 20 years earlier.

 I stopped what I was doing. I texted a friend, hoping he would help me piece together the Mickey messages. I called a bestie. Knowing she would be an ear I could bend to sort through the signs. Then it all came together. What I had recently learned after my dad died, as I was looking through pictures with family, was that in 2000, when my family was doing the preparations for the trip, my dad did not want to go; amusement parks, Disney things were not so much his jam. He ended up going, along with about 40 of us in the family. And it was an amazing time. I don’t think I’d gone on any big trips like that before in my life, I had never been to Disney World nor the Atlantic ocean. 

The message was clear. Dad didn’t want to go on that trip, he went and had a blast. Though I was nervous about being so far away and being away from home for so long, I would be ok. I was meant to go to Canada. 

And, the signs, I now know are clearly from my dad, didn't end with the mug. That same night, I happened to be meeting my aunt and uncle who arranged for the trip to Disney World. I shared the day’s events with them and we went to an outdoor concert, a string quartet playing SciFi tunes. Oddly, or maybe not at all odd, the group happened to play a song from a Disney movie. Call Beauty and the Beast SciFi, or maybe it was a sign from my dad. 

Another amazing spot in Banff National Park. This was one of my favorite spots, much less populated than Lake Lousie and honestly just as pristine. 

So, I end up going on this amazing trip to Canada. There was a few nights stay in Montana then we enjoyed the absolutely stunning area of Golden near the Blaeberry river. The air carried the sweetness of maple and the water was unlike anything I’d tasted. Sweet, fresh and clear.The scenery was breathtaking. We went to the Canadian Glacier National Park, Yoho and Banff National Parks and stopped along the way at many other places. More on this trip in another section, because what I want to tell you is that this trip, though I still experienced some doubts about going and had one tiny concern that I may run out of gas in the middle of northern Montana, absolutely paved the way for an even bigger adventure and allowed the space for many ideas to come through. 

Can you just see the freedom on my face?! This is from Lake Louise, yes, that Lake Lousie in Banff National Park- Canada. 

Upon returning to Colorado, I had this irresistible urge, a pulling that, like the time in Ouray, I couldn’t ignore. Though I can’t say I remember any specific downloads like I did in Ouray, I just knew it was time to make another leap. In short, I packed up my apartment in Denver and left the state for what turned into a nearly eight month road trip extravaganza with my dog. I am confident that I am still reflecting on this huge journey. 

One final reflection about August 2022, I had a flood of ideas about my own business. About things I wanted to make and sell, bringing my yoga to youtube and a slew of other ventures. I didn’t know how it would all come together, just that the ideas were flowing and I trusted that in time, I would know what to do with all these ideas. 

Well, welcome to August of 2024. I’ve been having a resurgence of all the ideas from 2022. How I can bring my experiences of liberation, love, downloads and signs along with all the education (both academic and wellness related) to more people… that is a preview of coming attractions. 

So much more to share soon.

For now, I want to highlight that there is such auspiciousness in the world. When you experience the whispers of downloads, hear the crunch of a leaf with such clarity, check your phone from such an intense call to action… trust that the universe is working with you. Trust that you will be taken care of. Trust that this life is meant to be amazing. 

Happy August my friends. 

Glorious Ghee!

Maybe you’ve heard all the rage lately? All the rage about ghee? Well, ghee has been around for quite some time and the resurgence in popularity is great! So, what is ghee? 

Ghee, ghrta (in Sanskrit) or clarified butter is essentially cooked butter. It offers energetics of sweetness and coolness. It is also rejuvenating and nutritive. Ghee is the best form of fat for the body. Fat is often portrayed as this negative thing… but especially in cases of depletion, dryness and weakness (vata imbalances) fat is very useful and helpful! This is also considered the best oil for pitta, it helps to balance our digestion (agni). And honestly, ya girl here is a Vata Pitta with some Vata Pitta imbalance so you know I’m going to be using the ghee!

So, ghee is great, yes! Yes! However, there are contraindications to be noted. In cases of high ama (toxins) or when there may be too much kapha in the body, ghee should be limited or avoided. Okay, now what?! 

Are you sold on trying ghee?! I thought you would be, here is how to make it! 

Once you’ve found organic and unsalted butter, cut the butter into pieces. Using a heavy bottomed pan (I use a stainless steel one), place the cut up butter into the pan on medium heat until it is fully melted. This process takes about 10-15 minutes and you’ll want to keep an eye on it, so you don’t burn it. I’m told the smell of burnt butter is not delightful… so best to avoid! The butter will go through some different transformations as it cooks. You’ll notice some bubbling/sputtering and when this stops, that is the sign it is done! The butter will foam up a bit and you’ll also notice the color shifts. The ghee will present as a beautiful golden color. 

Once the noise has stopped, turn the heat off, remove the pan from the heat, and allow the ghee to cool a bit. You’ll see the milk solids settle toward the bottom of the pan. Once it is warm and still in a liquid form, pour the ghee through cheesecloth into an airtight container (I use glass) and store outside of the fridge. Last step? Enjoy! Oh and for added benefit, I kept the milk parts and added a tiny bit to my dog's kibble! It’s good for humans and dogs! 

Snail School….

Okay here’s the deal… Maybe this is just a normal thing that happens in the PNW… but I gotta tell you, snails are everywhere here. And I love them. So slow, colorful, low to the ground…. And honestly the cutest thing is when Bella stops to smell them… she’s very gentle with them. Just sniffs, the snails retreat inward, Bella moves on, and when safe, the snail emerges. 

I’ve noticed these amazing creatures over the last month or so… always noting the colors. But until the other morning I didn’t have my phone to fully capture all the colors and designs. Anyway, here is what has been coming up for me! 

How often do we rush through a day without taking notice of the seemingly mundane things? The color of the trees from my office window, how my dog smells (snails) flowers and bushes… The ability to have a ‘childlike’ wonder evades many of us (I’m included in this at times) that we miss out on as we move into our adult years. But what would we feel, learn… be like if we kept that wonder…. 

The other thing I have been reflecting on is how this tiny little snail, moving so slow in its own cave has a consciousness just like I do. And that there is a part of this amazing creature that is just like a part in me. We are not separate from our surroundings; we are one with them. In Ayurveda we learn so much about the inputs in our life: food, fluid, breath and perception. The consciousness of these items then becomes the consciousness that sustains my human form. From this perspective, why would we not want to honor all the life all around us, all the time! 

Recently, I completed a trauma informed yoga nidra training and one of the presenters shared this gem, ‘experience small moments of awareness many times in a day’. Sorta like microdosing on awareness.. This is a way that we can regulate our nervous system… we can drop into our body and also experience the connection we have with our environment. Checking out snails on my morning walk has been a way for me to microdose on the miracle of my environment. 

A final reflection… in a quick search of snails and alternative meanings… snails can signify the ability to step out of your comfort zone and yet retreat inward when needed… Interestingly this idea of ‘carrying your home on your back’ comes up too… The snail has the ability to negotiate the right path forward.. To bring calm into the chaos of current situations and to venture towards new goals. Slow and steady, at your own pace. Here is how I apply this to my life… 

In the last 8 months, I have moved 3 times. I started my own business in a new state and have seen people in a brick and mortar style office. I have started teaching yoga again, which has been such a gift. And the 3 classes I offer are all 3 different formats that what I’ve ever taught before. Moving and all that came before it, was very chaotic, stressful and emotional. And I now feel as though I have the calm to reflect more deeply on where I want to go- how do I want my life to feel and to take time to move forward. Slow and steady, like my snail friends. 

Wishing you a slow, childlike, deeply aware day… in whatever you do! 

What to expect for your first Ayurvedic Session….

Hello, okay great! You’ve booked an initial Ayurvedic Consult with me! Now what?! Well first off, I want to acknowledge that ayurveda is about a journey. And the initial consultation is one of the first steps on this journey. You’ve likely been curious about exploring other ways of finding health, or you’ve had some things happen in your life and you sought care from allopathic/western approach that left you unsatisfied, or you experienced someone close to you go through something potentially traumatic (medically speaking) and you want to prevent this yourself… or any number of other experiences. Please know whatever brings you my way, is exactly as you are meant to arrive! Welcome! 

After you’ve booked with me, either in person or online, you’ll fill out a health seeker intake form. This is likely similar to paperwork you would have filled out for a medical/naturopathic or chiropractic care. We will spend about 60 minutes talking through the form which will include information on your day to day sleep and eating routines, stress levels, family and personal medical history. We will then spend the last 30 minutes of our time together discussing the following: 

Prakriti- this is your ‘natural state’, this is your own unique blend of the 3 doshas. This part will be brief, it is unchanging but useful to keep in mind for different approaches to find your own balance. 

Vrikiti- this is your ‘current state’. This is where you may be experiencing any imbalances and where we will seek to bring balance and harmony. 

Agni- this is a Sanskrit term for fire and more specifically for us, this is your digestion. In Ayurveda there is an understanding that the root of many diseases is from slow digestion. We want to know where your digestion is at and often we work to strengthen this process. And in strengthening digestion, we often alleviate many of the imbalances. 

Ama- another Sanskrit term for what is unprocessed or undigested in our body and mind. This can be literal food or any emotions that we haven’t dealt with accordingly. Often we need to ‘burn’ the ama so that our overall mind/body system can function in a more optimal manner. 

Food/Fluid- after reviewing your general food and fluid intake, we will look at how what we eat, when we eat and how we eat impacts our ama and agni and make adjustments accordingly. 

Perceptions- how we view the world has a tremendous impact on our mind/body system, so it is important that we have the ‘right’ intake of our sensory information. 

Breathwork- breathwork or pranayama is such a valuable practice to maintain balance and there is also intentionality in using the breath to cool us down or to heat us up, depending on what we need! Breath is also how we connect the mind and the body. And the connection we establish is really key to promoting longevity, balance, peace and harmony. 

Yoga- This may include actual yoga poses, types of yoga classes to pursue, or specific types of meditations, mantras or mudras. There is also intentionality in practicing or avoiding these based on any imbalances you may be experiencing. 

Herbs- there are thousands of herbs in Ayurveda and to be classified as a dravya (Sanskrit for medicinal herb) there must be 7 different criteria for each herb. In Ayurveda, we don’t pick an herb for one specific roga (or disease) but rather we pick an herb or a combination (formulation) that will best serve your entire system. In my current practice I may recommend one or two herbs for you. 

That’s it! That is how we will spend our initial session together. Ayurveda, as I stated, is best experienced as a journey, so it is important to schedule follow ups, these can be 4-6 weeks out (more or less depending on what you are comfortable with). In the follow up, we can make any needed changes based on how you are feeling, we can also include some of the other practices I offer such as reiki, 1:1 yoga or coaching. The amazing thing with Ayurveda is that it is meant to be very tailored to you! That means your session and protocol will likely be different from others, especially as we work together more! Who doesn’t want personalized care?! 

I look forward to working with you and please know that being of service to you on your journey to find balance, longevity and peace is such a joy for me to witness. 

Many blessings, Kate

Dinacharya… what is it?

One of the many beautiful, lovely and amazing things about ayurveda is this concept of dinacarya. Dinacharya is a Sanskrit term that translates to daily practices. These daily practices fall under a larger category of Ayurveda called Svasthvrtta- The Science of Prevention. The goal of svasthvrtta is to preserve and maintain the health of a healthy person. There are three different facets of preventive science but for the sake of not overwhelming you with too many things all at once, I’ll focus just on dinacharya. Also, to be honest, I think dinacharya is super fun to have in my life and it has been SUCH a game changer in my day to day life! 

Wooden toothbrushes in a glass jar, waiting to clean your pearly whites!

Our daily routines really should aid us, not drain us! There are some really basic ones here that we all likely do, right? These include brushing our teeth, having a ‘clear’ bowel movement within a few hours of waking and this also includes exercise, when to exercise, how much to exercise…. Dinacharya also includes oil massages. Oil massages, or abhyanga are the hallmark of Ayurveda… if you are at all familiar with Ayurveda, some other things I consider to be hallmark: CCF tea and warm/cooked meals. I will do a whole explanation of the amazing benefits of abhyanga in another post, but just know 1) it is amazing and 2) as long as it is meant for your body constitution (prakriti), you will likely find it amazing too! 

Okay, I got a little distracted there. But the point is that there are certain things we want to do everyday and with those certain things…. We also want to engage in them at intentional times with the natural world around us so that we are best equipped to weather all the chaos of the society around us! 

A few teasers to get you really thinking about your day to day patterning… 

1. What are the natural cycles around you?

2. Is your routine based on the natural cycles around you? 

3. If not, can you make small (or large) changes to flow more naturally? 

4. What are some of these changes (you don’t have to commit to doing any of them right away, just simply note them down!)

5. Do you have consistent times when you wake up and go to bed? 

6. What times are you generally waking up and going to bed? 

7. Are you able to eat 3 meals a day? When you eat these meals and are they at consistent times day to day? 

Here are a few of the practices I engage in and these are really the ones I am able to literally do every day. I add in more from time to time especially if I am traveling or experience (or think I may experience) more stress, I change things around based on the season and as I learn more, I will add more as needed! 

Image of an ideal bedroom to wake up in!

Wake up: usually on my own around 6am

Practices: brush my teeth, scrap my tongue, oil pull in my mouth, sip on hot water, full body abhyanga (unless I’m on my cycle, then I do mini abhyanga), 10ish minutes of pranayama, 10ish minutes of gentle yoga, shower, walk my dog and make breakfast. 

Breakfast: best for me before 8 (usually 730) 

Practices: this one really varies, but I will occasionally take myself through a posture practice (what we know of as ‘yoga’ in the west). Nothing overly strenuous, just something to get me moving and to stretch out as I’ve likely been sitting at my desk or reading (or both!).  

Lunch: between 12-1230, heavier meal meaning… if I am going to have meat that day, this is where I will plan to consume it. 

Practices: generally I will do a yoga nidra meditation to have more productive rest time in the vata hours, often this is a time when we feel a little bit of a slump. 

An image of a pot on a stove, simmering with something magical for a meal!

Dinner: 6-630, usually rice with steamed/sauteed veggies. 

Practices: walk my dog post dinner, journal, bath, restorative yoga and then bed!

Bedtime: no later than 10! 

 Please know, this lifestyle did not happen overnight. I was not able to just wake up one day and be like ‘oh I’m gonna do all these things all at once!’. Negative! Making changes in our daily routine is hard work! Start small! My longest standing practice is taking a bath every night. This may not be for everyone and ayurveda actually suggests taking a bath in the morning time. I started this habit when I was working in a stressful position as a parole officer. I found the literal use of water helped to cleanse not just my physical body but also was a way to cleanse my energy body from so much stress during the day. The next longest standing practice is my abhyanga… if you are living in a dry climate and if you are living in a dry climate AND run dry (vata) like me…. Abyangha is going to be such a lovely and caring shift! 

There is so much more to share on this topic and I’m so excited to bring you more information!

In my podcast with @ayurvedajagath on Youtube, we talk more in-depth about our own dinacharya feel free to check us out! 

Otherwise, thank you so much for taking time to read this and to reflect on your day to say routine! 

Much love, friends!

Image of lovely fluffy, pink colored clouds, instilling a sense of love and lightness!