One of the Niyamas (or internal ethics) as taught in yoga is called Svadyaya (say it out loud - its fun to say), which means "self-study" or "self-reflection."

Studying ourselves is a big part of the curriculum in the Vitality Circle. Here are some questions to ponder for yourself, right now:

What...

Sometimes when the world feels really heavy (the end of Winter perhaps, or the world in chaos of greed and division) a poem or two will stand out as a beacon of hope, a glimmer of what may still be possible. Here is one such poem:

IT’S STILL POSSIBLE by David Whyte

It’s still possible to fully u...

 Noticing is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—skills for true wellbeing. We shouldn’t jump to just “doing more” — we are better of to start with seeing more. When you learn to genuinely notice how you sleep after eating certain foods, how your energy changes with the seasons, how your m...

Some of you may not know this, but I used to be an art teacher and outdoor trip leader at an awesome little high school in the mountains of North Carolina. Back then, I remember noticing a pattern that every November I would get worn down and sick. (There is nothing like working with teenagers to ex...

In Ayurveda, the hours just before sunrise are called Brahma Muhurta, a sacred window of time when the world is quiet, the mind is clear, and energy is light and fresh. It’s a moment where everything feels possible. Rising during this time isn’t about discipline or pressure; it’s about giving yourse...

September 21 marks the International Day of Peace, a global reminder that peace is not just a hope for the world, but a practice we can cultivate in our daily lives.

True peace begins within. It starts in the quiet moments when we pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves. When we soften ...

It's May and the grass, as well as the greens in the garden, seem to be growing at least an inch overnight.

In southwestern Virginia, we are watching the waves of green creep up the mountains from the now lush valleys. There is a hopefulness that is inherent in this time of year - that abundance is...