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Our current treatment for all eating disorders, anorexia, binge, and bulimia still primarily centers around behavioral and mind-based interventions, such as CBT and DBT treatment. Where these interventions are very effective for some, as we know they are not effective for all. As a somatic psychotherapist, what I find is a key missing component in […]

Throughout my years of clinical practice I have witnessed a strong connection between self-compassion and healing from eating disorders and body-image struggles. So when I had a chance to engage in my own research interest during my doctoral studies I chose to research self-compassion in the recovery process. That was five years ago, but no surprise, there is now more and more in the literature that supports what I found through my own research study and have anecdotally known throughout the years.

August 30th welcomed in the Black Moon. I’m the first to admit that I don’t know much about this. Instead I rely on my fellow moon-following yogi’s to teach me. One of the things I learned was that it is a great time to make changes and set goals. My first reaction to this was […]

A few weeks ago I found myself in a “Facebook argument.” You know one of those instigating social media conversations that hook you? You may be wondering, she gets hooked? Yes, I get hooked. Thank goodness it is not often but when I do, I do. Rather than bore you with the details of the […]

“How can I take a leap when I don’t know what waits on the other side?” So many of my clients wrestle with this question. It has been a question I have wrestled with my whole life as well. Although, by the looks of the many things I have done in my life, especially the […]

Sometimes all we need is a few simple words to calm a moment. In the midst of the typical hectic life of balancing work, family, training programs, book events, and presentations, I took the time, as I do each morning, to stop, slow down and practice. Some mornings it is my meditative yoga practice, others […]

My daughter and I just spent a week together in Paris. The trip was one of those momentous vacations celebrating her 16th birthday, even though delayed almost a year. Nonetheless, a great time together in mother-daughter bonding. I am grateful for the ability and privilege to take a trip like this and I am grateful […]

What words come to mind when you read the question, what makes you feel safe and protected? Try to answer quickly. You may have found that you went to thinking about the larger picture of your life first, such as your surroundings, relationships, and maybe even the state of our world. These are very important […]

I cannot believe that a year ago I was on my Buddhist pilgrimage trip in India. I often think back to it wondering what was the biggest lesson I learned? Our guide told me at the end that my self-work going forward was to work on attachments. Hum, like attachments to the relationships in my […]

I’m glad the month of January is over. The New Year started off quite intense with loved ones in transition and health issues with those I love. As a teacher and trainer of all things embodied and stress-relieving it is not always easy for me to realize when I am overwhelmed! I am the one […]

Every New Year’s day I am lucky enough to teach a special yoga class on starting the year off with intention and compassion. I specifically teach on formulating intentions over resolutions for many reasons. The most important one is the relationship intention has to purpose. Resolutions are goal and attainment-focused and are often created out […]

A holiday detox may not be what you believe it to be. This is a tough time of the year for anyone that may be struggling with body image issues and/or any disordered eating as food is abundant and that means so are self-critical thoughts. The important thing to understand is food and your body […]

I sometimes wonder does life ever get simple? I asked myself this question a few times this month as this month has been a particularly complex one. Multiple relationships in my life required a great deal of attention and care, one of them being my aging Mom. Relationships are so complex to begin with. They […]

Is increasing awareness such a good thing? This was a question I had many years ago during my yoga therapy and mindfulness training programs while learning to heighten awareness to the present moment as mindfulness training instructs. At first, I was astonished at how many things in the present moment I had been missing out […]

As September rolled around so did a fair amount of anxiety. I should start by saying, YES, I too, experience anxiety. I affirm this because often when it comes to being in the role of therapist, educator, trainer, teacher, and now author, it can leave my students and clients wondering, does she go through this […]

This month I was asked to record a podcast on self-compassion for the online magazine, Recovery Warriors. They are a great, uplifting support for those struggling with disordered eating and body image issues. At the end of the podcast, the host, Jessica Flint, asked me what was one of my favorite quotes? I have many, […]

I recently attended the International Yoga Therapy (IAYT) conference and was reminded that one of the most important aspects of healing comes from our mind set about what it means to be healed. Healing takes place when we begin to look at disease and disorders through a new lens. We are now beginning to understand […]

What is the meaning of self-care and how do we learn it? I found myself contemplating this question a few weeks ago after, believe it or not, undergoing my first colonoscopy. Dare I write this but it is true. The question arose after receiving the good news from my doctor that “everything was okay.” I […]

I had a meeting with the marketing team at Shambhala Publishers a couple of weeks ago. I sat on the screen with them as they reviewed the marketing strategies for my upcoming book. I could see my face on the screen look a little blank as it was surreal for me to take it all […]

A month has passed since I returned home from India. I’ve been telling my clients and my students that there were so many wonderful things I learned there that it is hard to focus on any one lesson in particular. However, I think a couple of weeks ago one came to life for me. I […]

Expect nothing. These were the words our guide, Shantum Seth, told to our group as we began our Buddhist pilgrimage in India. I must admit, when I heard them my anxiety level rose while at the same time a smile crossed my face. Why? Because I know India is like that. I heard that there […]

I recently heard a Dharma talk in which the teacher summed up what he felt was the most important Buddhist teaching: change is the constant. I don’t know about you, but I can feel my body tighten and tense when I consider this reality. I can  intellectually grasp it but feeling it is another story. […]