Permission to pause. The holidays are over, moms around the world can now breathe a collective sigh of relief as Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Secret Santa, white elephant exchanges, teacher gifts, work parties, holiday cards, cooking holiday dinners, making it to all the winter pageants and Christmas programs, going to the lights shows and candle lighting ceremonies, decorating, Christmas music, ugly sweaters, New Year’s Eve, and finally a New Year, have come and gone. But do they get a chance to pause? Nope. It’s time to take down decorations and set New Years Resolutions about losing 20lbs, working out 5 days a week, meditating every day, and/or eating healthier… Not to mention returning gifts, sending thank you notes, going back to work, getting childcare while the kids are still off school, tearing the kids away from their devices to get them outside, cooking dinner, saying “screw it” to the resolutions, and getting the kids back to school. And more… Whew! When do we give ourselves PERMISSION to PAUSE? Why is it so hard to give ourselves permission to pause? Why is it so easy to prioritize everyone else’s needs above our own? Why is it so easy to let ourselves become martyrs? I was hiking with my friend, Kristi, today and we were talking about just that. She said it was easier to carve out a weekend away than to find 10 minutes on a Wednesday night to meditate. Why? Accountability? Support? Investment? Comment below why you think this is. Miri xo #pause #yoga #mindfulness #mindful #timeout #momlife #newyear #holidays #selfcare (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7SW-WSSIx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

May this year bring you peace, safety, health, and wealth❤️ #nye https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3Di_ery9i/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My fuzzy companions this NYE. #nye https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3AsMJLV_x/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#truth (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmsZ_RdJOF1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Kwanzaa, Everyone! I love learning about traditions and rituals from other cultures. I love the intentionality with which this holiday was developed. It arose from a need for community and each day focuses on a needed principle. According to History.com: “Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of the week-long holiday. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.” Enjoy! Miri xo #Kwanzaa #holidays #intentionalliving @history @1wagamuffin (at CSU Long Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmnf0yMrQX6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Merry Christmas! Taking a little post-Christmas morning-chaos time to breathe deeply, be in nature, exercise Maisie, sport my new muscle tank, and release tension. “Ahhh (sigh)” #selfcare #yoga #mindfulness #chihuahua (at Avila Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmm6d2wP4nh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dreading that stuffed feeling today? Remember to eat some protein and healthy fats today before you go in for the Xmas dinner. Other strategies to savor without overeating: - Do a ”pre-do”: imagine yourself going through dinner, taking a little bit of everything, relishing the taste & company, saying “I’m good” when offered seconds, and leaving the table feeling light and satisfied - not stuffed 🙂 - Take small bites, smell the food, put your fork down in between bites. - Drink a glass of water before and alternate alcohol and water. - Focus on the conversation, connections, sharing memories. - When you’re done eating, put your napkin on your plate, clear your plate, or oversalt the rest of your meal. Offer to help clear or wash dishes to keep your hands busy. Enjoy! Miri xo #pre-do #christmas #dinner @yourdietitianbff (at San Luis Obispo, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmj3z6bvGyN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

at Pismo Beach, California https://www.instagram.com/p/ClNamvxrNF6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Self-care… everyone is talking about it, everyone tries to do it, but are you really doing what replenishes you: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? Self-care can be slowing down and enjoying breakfast instead of scarfing it down on your commute. It can be giving yourself permission to flake on an event when you’ve had a tough week, or going to bed early. The important thing is to slow down and tune in to what you need and to honor those needs. Comment below with your level of agreement from 0-10! And then —>swipe left to see the progress that women made in 6 weeks of Mindful Miri Method. DM me for info. Miri xo #self-care #bodylove #yoga #mindfulness #meditation #selflove #lovetheskinyourein (at Pismo Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClF2CnRrl2a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” ― Pema Chödrön When I’m getting pulled in every direction and I’m feeling overwhelmed by life, I imagine myself flying up into the sky - and expanding to become the sky. I look down on the world and all of its noise, negativity, judgment, obligations, fear, and tragedy and look at it with a perspective. We are just a blip in the grand scheme of things. If my kid misses a sports practice, if I put my foot in my mouth, if I make my kid cry, if I make a mistake at work, if I break a wine glass in front of lots of people, or if I walk a whole day with spinach in my teeth - yes, these things may be important/ upsetting, but they no longer becomes catastrophic. So fly up into the sky and look down! Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Miri xo #yoga #buddhism #bujew #mindfulness (at Pismo Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3dXJHpjsW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#rockthevote https://www.instagram.com/p/CkuF8DPvsV9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

What a fun conversation! Jeanne and I talk about my dieting history, how miserable I was, how I used yoga and cognitive behavioral interventions to rise above it and how I help women do the same! Check out the Discover Rising Tides Podcast! Episode on Nov. 2. Enjoy! Miri xo #mindfulness #mindfuleating #bodylove (at Auburn, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjpisbPoLd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m honored to be featured in Shout Out Colorado after serving clients in Colorado! #yoga #mindfulness #bodylove (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckb7auDP_2K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ve always been scared of sharks. But I’m a big believer in facing my fears, not letting them stop me. I was scared of starting a business, scared of starting a podcast, scared of others’ judgement, scared of not being good enough, scared, scared, scared. But you can’t be BRAVE without fear, right? In training for this Sunday’s 2K race @sharkfestswim , I’ve had to dig deep into my mindset toolbox. On the day of the race, there will be so many people, I have no fear of sharks, but in training, it’s just @stefanieswims , sometimes one other friend, and I. I’m the shadows and seaweed, the mind plays tricks on you quickly. So I try these psych hacks to face my fear… - “Name it to tame it�� (a la Dan Siegel). My self-talk: “I see you fear! I hear you. You are trying to protect me, but I am safe.” - Challenge with logic: “The worst thing that could happen is the least likely. My self-talk: “Millions of people swim in the ocean safely. There have only been 14 total shark attacks in my area since 1950.” - Worst case scenario (this one is a bit morbid, I’ll admit, but it’s freeing, nonetheless. Self talk: “If it’s my time, it’s my time! If I get bit, I’ll be in shock and won’t feel anything anyway.” - Visualization. I picture myself punching a shark in the nose and swimming away. What are YOU afraid of? What’s one fear you want to face? You’ve got this! Miri xo #sharkfest #faceyourfears #mindfulness #psychology (at Avila Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjmPilfLDIt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thank you to @hollybeals for these beautiful block paintings of strong, graceful women. I can’t wait to get more of your work! Thank you to @stefanieswims for making me go to the art studio tour! (at Arroyo Grande, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjeQB6ypD2y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

September is Suicide Awareness Month. Suicidal ideation is more prevalent than you think. It’s the… - 2nd leading cause of death for ages of 10-14 and 25-34 , - 3rd leading cause of death for ages of 15-24, - 4th leading cause of death for ages of 35 and 44. There were nearly two times as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576). 80% of individuals show signs prior to attempting suicide. Like CPR, we should all know how to prevent death. Know the signs. Know who to call (988). #suicideprevention #suicidepreventionmonth #suicideawarenessmonth #suicidelifeline #988 (at San Luis Obispo, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiNbXdCrRFN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Lovely excerpt from the article by @stefanieswims In the @thegoodtrade newsletter next week. (at Avila Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiCFPoNPZmT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=