I was shocked to hear many times in the past week “you’re always happy” or “you’re always perky”.  Friends, I’m sorry if I’ve misled you, its simply untrue. The past few months have been very hard for me.

By nature, I’m proudly passionate and ambitious, but I allowed my days to become so jammed packed that I became exhausted and my immune system suffered.  I tried my traditional extreme self care routine: more sleep, more green juice, eliminating alcohol, gluten, dairy, sugars and all refined foods.  I received no relief, so I tried harder.  I supplemented, massaged, neti potted, smoothied, ordered groceries, meditated, laughed, cried, and danced.  I practiced yoga both fiercely and restoratively, lifted heavily, lifted lightly, and played at my ballet barre.  I hugged my kids, I snuggled with my husband, watched movies, planned a vacation.  I spent time with people I love and turned down invites that would keep me up too late. But I was still depleted.

Then I remembered what I teach: the magic happens in the moment you find yourself pushing hard and you choose to back off.  I say it often in my classes because you need to hear it, and I need to hear it too. Stop trying, stop reaching, just be.  Just be, just be, just be.  Just be.

Yes, I’m generally a happy, perky person because I have built a life I love, but constantly ‘doing’ does not always serve me.  By allowing myself to ‘just be’ has opened up stuck energy so my whole body, mind, and spirit are back on the same team.

When you find yourself overwhelmed, try letting the world slip away and listen to your breath.  The truth is there.  Always.