You know what’s amazing? The conversation about perimenopause and menopause is happening in everyday interactions! It’s no longer a ‘taboo’ or a phase of life that women need to feel ashamed about, hide from, or feel alone as they navigate this big life change. Science has given us so much more information and resources, and when you get celebrities talking about their menopause journeys, now it’s applauded vs shunned. Ah, to be alive and navigating menopause in 2026!! P

One of the best tools we have in fighting Breast Cancer is early detection! And it starts with you. From monthly self-exam to annual mammograms to paying attention when ‘things just don’t feel right,’ taking part in your breast health is one of those tender acts of self‑care that keeps paying you back for decades. Ladies, you’ve heard it a hundred times, and here it is for #101: your most powerful tool is self‑checks! No one knows your breasts (or your body) better than yo

Welcome, October! October welcomes two important topics for women: Breast Cancer Awareness and Menopause Awareness. To open the dialogue, highlighting these aspects of women's health, I'd like to normalize pelvic floor changes. Worried about the next sneeze or laugh? So many women feel that way, and not because we're doing anything wrong, but because most of us were never taught how central the pelvic floor is to our sense of strength, ease, and everyday confidence. Mid

The autumn leaves do not rush, they do not compare themselves, they do not race to the finish - they simply surrender, only when the moment is right, and trust their path towards the ground. Twirling. Swirling. Cascading. Dropping. Each leaf has a unique journey, gently moving with the flow of life, no need to control, just to allow. Another of the Niyamas from Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga, Ishvara Pranidhana invites us to surrender and allow, to move with the flow of life and

**This blog article originally appeared on www.newtownwellnesscollective.com in September, 2024 As I lean into the changing of the seasons here upon us in New England, I’m relishing in the refreshing crisp morning air, and noticing the subtle shifts of color…. Fall is here. In this season, we move into the phase of harvesting, of reaping the benefits of summer’s hard work and holding gratitude for the gifts we’ve received. Ideas curated in the winter, sown as new seedlings

Yoga, at its essence, is a practice of returning to oneself. It’s not about mastering shapes or achieving the perfect pose; it’s about choosing, again and again, to show up with presence. When we commit to our practice, we’re really committing to our wellbeing - to carving out time that honors our body, steadies our mind, and nourishes our spirit. This regular devotion becomes a quiet promise we make to ourselves: I am worthy of care, attention, and time. Over time, our Yoga

Sometimes it's the simple things, the pausing to breathe, to notice, to watch the birds, feel the sun on your skin, dance in the rain, feel the comforts of your home around you, feel the warmth of an embrace. Happiness can feel elusive sometimes, but the choice to find contentment is always available if you stop to take a look, accept the present moment, and remember your joyful nature. Santosha is one of the Niyamas, the second limb of Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, from

Today, 8/8, we stand in the apex of the Lion’s Gate Portal, often described as a moment when the spiritual field feels wider, brighter, and more accessible, a time when alignment with the Universe carries a felt sense. Many people experience this portal as an energetic amplification of courage, clarity, and inner radiance. The number eight symbolizes infinity, flow, and the cyclical nature of giving and receiving. With that, the 8/8 alignment becomes a collective reminder th

Mindset is one of the quiet forces shaping how we move through our days, and often it begins with something as simple as the way we speak about our lives. We may not realize it, but the words we choose carry energy. When we consistently describe our home, car, job, or partner through the lens of what frustrates us, we subconsciously reinforce that frustration. Over time, this becomes the energetic tone of the relationship we hold with those parts of our lives. And it’s not ab

Change is hard, because it's not just doing things differently, it's about learning to undo how you've always done things. Ready to start a new diet? You also have to teach your body and mind to crave different things. Shifting your mindset? It's also about un-believing all the truths you've told yourself (especially if they aren't true). I recently moved to a new home, and while I'm learning the ins/outs of the new space, it's also about challenging all the patterns I had es

Translation: Take a step back to reflect so you're in a better position to jump forward This has rung very true for me lately. And it's been helpful to frame this particular moment in my life in this light - that taking time to step back, to recalibrate, will give me space to see more clearly for what comes next. Within this, it's felt like a permission to soften, to turn inward and yield. What comes next is always unknown, but in taking time to stop forcing (hello, control

As we shift into the new year ahead, I invite you to take a moment to reflect with me (guided prompts below) - to pause and hold gratitude, take stock and set purposeful intentions. This can be a powerful practice to come into flow with the energy you want to carry ahead with you. The close of the year invites opportunity to reflect on all the past year has brought to light - learnings, challenges, adventures, joy, sorrow, and everything in-between. I invite you to take a mom

That into which we breathe life, grows . This is especially true for positive and negative mindsets. When we foster positive thoughts and project good things happening, we call in this energy and ask the Universe to bring us more. The same is true of negative thoughts. If we hold space for doubt, worry, the ‘worst’ which could happen, we give life and energy to those outcomes and subconsciously, we are inviting them to happen. Once we realize the weight of our intentions

Recently, a friend shared with me an observation: animals can tell us they are happy, sad, anxious, feeling safe and showing love by their body movements – a wagging tail, pointed or drawn back ears, expressiveness in their eyes. As humans, we rely on communicating these emotions through language. Yet, all too often, we fail to do this. We don’t take the time for a phone call to thank someone and express the significance of receiving a thoughtful gift. We struggle to exp

When we give grace to something or someone or to ourselves, we grant permission for it to ‘be,’ just as it is. This is a form of radical acceptance*. We are meeting ourselves and anything around us exactly where we are, for how we are, without judgment and without expectation. Practicing grace can be a new way of living for some of us. Quite often, we are ingrained with a mindset of ‘being the best’ or striving to be ‘perfect or nothing at all.’ These are extremely limi

When we think of the Independence Day holiday, as with most holidays, we think of FOOD! And when living with dietary restrictions or allergies, it can feel overwhelming to think ‘what will I eat?’ at your favorite cookout. The great news….there are some really simple modifications to ensure you can enjoy those classic BBQ dishes, while feeling confident that you can stick within your dietary needs. · Starter appetizer : sub out a cheese board for a fresh avocado salsa

The last several days and months have been testing our patience as human beings, particularly in light of recent US government decisions. If the purpose of being human is to maintain humanity (the collective care for the human species, in consideration of all humans), it can be difficult to understand and process why things like civil rights, human rights and personal rights are still subject to idealized control. There seemed to be hope for collective survival through a

Summer breathes in new life and lightness for the spirit and appetite! With the delicious blend of blueberries, almonds and fresh tarragon, this meal is a quick lunch or dinner to satiate your appetite and your senses! I first made this recipe when a friend was following Whole 30 and wanted a simple lunch option for her bachelorette crew - everyone LOVED it! This recipe calls for Ras el Hanout, a traditional North African spice blend which includes cardamom, cinnamon, clov

“We can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown.” ~ Claude Bernard When we think about learning something new, it’s easy to forget we first started in a place of unknowing. Perhaps there was something that sparked interest, leading to discovery, or perhaps learning came through overcoming challenge. Regardless of the reason for learning something new, there is a deep beauty and wisdom gleaned from recognizing we must first accept there is something we d