Hello.

Welcome to my publication.

Hello there. Moving forward I will be migrating much of my focus in, terms of writing, here on Substack. I like the idea of longer form, more thoughtful content that aligns with my approach.

Many years ago, I started a blog which was my entry way into having a presence online, circa 2007. I was quite active for a long time, and then it ultimately dwindled as other activities via the internet became the norm. Faster paced, short form, became commonplace, but wasn’t fully me.

So here we are.

Most know me as an Ashtanga yoga teacher and practitioner, but of course, there is much more to who I am. Interesting how as a young person you try to build an identity, and as you get older, there’s greater freedom in stripping back, and not being so tied to labels, fitting in, and aligning to the norm. It’s called liberation. It’s my vibe, on every level.

Free thinking, free being, expressing the truth of lived experience, etc.

With all this said, I have come to learn the discovery and seeking for truth is not going to win popularity contests. Hence, going back to my prior comment of not being identified with conforming to the norm. Not so much in an externalized sense, but more in an internalized, way of being sense—a way of thinking, more like it.

What makes us uncomfortable from time to time, can teach us multitudes about ourselves, and what we attach to, and are identified by in life. I find the important work of yoga is to be free of conditioning. Once you start, one finds just how difficult it can be. However, it is compellingly worthwhile. Always. Our patterns control us. Often, we are unaware of our conditioning, and once we break out, even just a little bit, things start to unravel. Everything is connected. It can feel like a slippery slope. A slope, I have found to be a fun ride, from time to time, and of course, when going over a few bumps, can be painful as well.

Our pain can be a trigger point for transformation or the reinforcement of the groove of our conditioning. It’s all so interesting. So much comes down to choices and taking radical responsibility.

I have come to the acceptance that no one is going to save me.

Coming of age we are bombarded with an abundance of propaganda. It can be hard to decipher what is my path? What is truly important? What are my values?

As you can see, I’m all over the place with my thoughts and meanderings that pop into my mind and heart. It’s been an interesting past few months as much is coming to light. Things are shifting, both with what is in my control, and out of my control. Which is always the dilemma.

There are times when we need to speak and there are times when silence is best. That is why each moment comes down to the context of the situation. If we are to be sincere with our relationship to the present moment, in a sense, we will always know what to do. The challenge is being in the moment. To be fully present and available to the knowing wisdom that is constantly within us and around us is paramount. One reason why listening is a profound art.

We live in a culture where there is so much more talking than listening. We are bombarded with information and opinions. It can be difficult to find our inner core if we are not careful to block out the noise. It takes loads of trust, because most of the marketing out there drives on our insecurities. It can be a real battle. Not in a fighting sense, but in getting clear.

So in my sharing a few of my thoughts and musings, I hope moving forward you see the value in what you bring to the table in every situation. What you need, you already have. There is opportunity everywhere even in the darkest of moments. We only need the eyes to see, the ears to listen and the heart to know.

Get connected. Go in and go through. There is no better avenue to take.

I’ll be sharing more and I hope to hear from you as well.

This is the era of truth and heart centered knowing. Welcome.

xo, laruga*