New to Yoga? 3 Tips to Get You Started with Confidence

New to Yoga? 3 Tips to Get You Started with Confidence

Do you want to try yoga, but aren’t sure where to begin?

Have you signed up for a class but felt like an outsider?

In the video below, I’ll share my 3 (unconventional) tips with you about beginning a yoga practice with confidence, presence and a sense of humor. 

But first, I’ve got to tell you: 
I get it. 

I know how it feels to want to get into something that you hear is beneficial… but then feeling LOST about where to begin. 

While yoga has been my passion, my therapy and my job for 14-years, I nearly ran out of my first meditation class.   

I wish I was joking.

I went in with confidence. I  thought I was a mindful person. I mean, I had done my fair share of self-reflection during my yoga teacher training and I found great value in the silence and stillness in my yoga practice.

However, meditation felt completely foreign to me.

My sneaky A-type personality convinced me that there had to be a “right” way to meditate… and if had racing thoughts and felt even more annoyed than when I sat down, I had to be doing it wrong.

But I want you to know what I wish I would have learned during my first class.

There is no “right” when it comes to mindfulness.

I know this goes against the grain; there are numerous “how-to” books, videos, retreats and tutorials out there on the step-by-step process to begin meditation or how to start a proper yoga practice.

However, after 14-years studying yoga (and 10-years struggling with meditation) I’ve learned that the only wrong ways to be mindful is to fail to show up OR to show up without a sense of humor.

And you, my friend, are reading this for a reason; by virtue of being right here, right now, you are showing up. You are curious, and curiosity breeds humor.

If you’re ready for an unconventional, open-hearted, slightly humorous introduction to yoga, I’d love to share my 3 against-the-grain tips with you today, so you can practice yoga with confidence, presence and genuine joy!

If you’d like to dive right into a humorous practice, try your own (toddler-friendly)
10-minute toddler yoga session!

10-Minute Yoga Class

10-Minute Yoga Class

10-Minute At-Home Yoga

One morning, it all just clicked. 

I had been feeling sorry for myself. I found myself in complaint-mode too often. I mean, I had been to ONE solo yoga class since Max was born. One class in 15 months.

I never get any time to myself, I shouted internally.

And then I did something crazy.

I started consciously breathing… and moving.

I reached my arms up, drank in a deep inhalation, and started stretching.

Max usually tells me to “sit, sit” when I start moving my body in strange ways. He pulls at my hands and says, “off,” when I try to plank or push-up.

But on this particular morning, as if he could sense how much his mama needed this little win, Max kept playing.

I indulged in a little forward fold… Max kept playing.

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I dared to lunge, to twist, to plank and downdog… and my mama-obsessed, busy little boy kept playing.

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It was a toddler miracle!

In reality, yoga doesn’t work for us in every moment. Sometimes I fit in a stretch or two, other times I get in a good 10 breaths before Mr. Max demands my attention, and other mornings, like this one, I get to stretch, flow and breathe for 10 glorious minutes.

I have the honor of working with a great range of women, and I’ve discovered that moms in particular feel particularly torn between their health and their responsibilities.

Can you relate?

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If you feel torn between your time-limits and your deep desire to do something for yourself, short “pockets of time” self-care moments like this Yoga class could serve as a beautiful bridge between where you are and who you’d like to become.

(If you’re brand new to yoga, watch this video about the how-to’s of starting a yoga practice.)

No matter where you are on your yoga journey, please allow yourself the space, grace and self-compassion to engage in your practice with the following tips:

  1. Move at your own pace. If I’m moving too quickly (or slowly) for your body, give yourself permission to make this flow your own.
  2. Listen to your body. If ANY postures don’t serve your body well, skip them, modify them or join our Transforming Wellness facebook community and we’ll talk out different options based on what your body needs.
  3. Above all, make this practice your own! Feel free to move with your breath (that’s what I love to do in the mornings) or hold any poses that feel particularly soothing or energizing. 

Whether you attempt to do Yoga with a toddler or alone, I hope you enjoy this Awakening Yoga Flow as much as Max enjoyed running around during this session. 

Leave a comment below with one word or phrase reflecting how you feel when you complete this practice! If you’d like to see more Yoga classes like this, in addition to mindful life-hacks, meditation practices, fun workouts and intuitive eating conversations, make sure to join our Transforming Wellness facebook group today!

The 30-Minute Postpartum Workout SECRET that Changed Everything

The 30-Minute Postpartum Workout SECRET that Changed Everything

The Story Behind the Movement

When I first decided to get back into working out 
with an unpredictable newborn schedule, I had three notable options:

a) Randomly piece my own workouts together, praying that I’d “make” time or “find” energy. I had an idea about what I “should” do, but I couldn’t quite get there. I lacked an intentional plan, so I ended up feeling frazzled, frustrated and like I was wasting precious time rushing through a workout that left me feeling more stressed out than when I started.

b) Drop serious money on a gym membership, yoga classes or maybe even a personal trainer. Sure I’d appreciate the structure, but I couldn’t afford that time away from home and I didn’t have it in me to research the most cost effective option. Great resources, just not my path at this season in my life.

c) “Press play” on a video workout. Honestly, this method worked on and off for me, but that was precisely the problem. With my hangry, explorative baby, I had to start and stop so many times. I felt frustrated, even though I was working my tail off. I questioned whether working out was worth all that negative energy.

I needed a quick win – not a quick fix – but something to help me feel like myself again.

I needed something that would go beyond getting me started… something that would launch me forward. More than anything, I wanted to rekindle my strength and give me the push to do something for myself each day, even if that “something” was as small.

And that’s when I started dreaming about that glorious “F” word. Freedom.

I fantasized about a workout program that didn’t have me bound to a gym, limited to a class schedule or glued to a TV, but that instead gave me the freedom to workout on my own terms. I dreamed about a legit full-body program that I could do in pockets of time throughout my day… That I could do anywhere – including my disaster of a living room…  That I could customize so that I’d feel empowered from Day 1, and that I could adjust as my fitness grew…  That wouln’t leave me wondering if my efforts are “enough.” (Oh what an ugly word.)…

And as I talked with more women, I realized that I wasn’t alone.  So many of my friends, from new moms, to busy students, to full-time working women felt the same desire to rediscover their strength, to reclaim their time and to find a workout that was truly meant for their individual bodies at this particular season of life. That’s when it clicked. Busy women need this freedom + strength. Busy women need to move more with less hassle. Busy women need this program.

I’m determined to give people a simple path to feel stronger and more comfortable in their own skin 
without feeling like they’d need 26 hours in a day (or a nanny, personal trainer, in-home chef combo) to get there.

That’s why I created this program and the corresponding community page;  I’m excited to help you discover a customized workout rhythm and, most importantly, to empower you to live in a body that you love!

Want to sample the workout that you can literally do ANYWHERE, at any time, with any (little) one?

I’ve created a sweet sample for you, which includes the ins and outs of the circuit in the video above… plus some bonuses I won’t share anywhere else. You will feel AT EASE, yet EMPOWERED in your workouts as you learn how to create “Pockets of Time” circuits, how to enhance your workouts, and how to give yourself a mind-body experience with one simple shift.

Sign up below to gain access to the {FREE} Strong Mama Insider experience. 

You’ll get:
* 3-Total Body Workouts complete with exercise descriptions, video tutorials,
 and multiple modification options
* 3 Beautiful Mantras (downloadable & printable)
* Clear directions on how to create your very own 30-minute workout sequence with recovery intervals and Pockets of Time circuits

7-Exercises to Transform Your Body (with a Toddler)

7-Exercises to Transform Your Body (with a Toddler)

You may relate to this...

My child is a wonderful, sweet, explorative little person.

But he won’t leave my side.

I know in about 12 years, I’ll miss his need for “Mama” to “carry” him everywhere.  (Maybe I’ll miss that…) But right now, I come close to insanity by the end of the day IF I don’t make a little time for myself. 

As the sun starts to shine, I’m looking forward to taking our workouts outside, but just in case you need some rain day motivation, I have a mindset trick to share with you, which may sound silly (or as Max says “siwwy, siwwy, siwwy,” but this simple mindset shift completely removed the pressure I had placed on myself to make a conventional workout “fit perfectly” into my day.

Last winter, when I felt my mood and outlook start to dip, I knew I had to make a big mind-body-heart shift. Movement is the gateway to transformation in my life, so I decided to be playful and open and creative with my workouts. I let go of the expectation that I had to finish my workout within a 30-minute block. I carved my movements and circuits around what Max was doing in that moment. Almost immediately, our workout time together shifted into light-hearted, hilarious, joyful moments. Yet, I still felt like I was gaining strength, feeling the endorphin lift and doing something wonderful for my mind, body and heart.

As you can see, my “workout space” is a constant mess.
My “weights” often involve my child.
I rarely change into formal workout clothes.
My circuits are often chopped up and spread throughout our day.

However, the joy, satisfaction and strength that these workouts bring to my soul are what compel me to share this unconventional type of workout with you. In fact, the 4-Circuits that I spell out for you in this workout guide are exactly how I integrate self-care into my day, when when I’m home with Max.

Let your workouts be playful.
Be creative with your self-care.
Laugh about your mess (at least, that’s what I’ve decided to do).
Remember, there is no “perfect” or “ideal” way to balance mom-life and me-time.

What matters is that you make the time for your sweet self… and that you discover a little joy in the process. You deserve it, Mama!

Barre Workout for Any-BODY

Barre Workout for Any-BODY

Do you have images (of yourself) that you look back on and just laugh?

I’ve got to say, watching myself point at my preggo belly in this video makes me both cringe and giggle every time.

In some ways, I feel like pregnancy allowed my inner dork to emerge more than ever… and in other ways, I KNOW it made me stronger than I ever imagined I could be. (More on that another time.)

But my favorite thing about this workout isn’t that Mr. Max was in my belly (who at the time, we fondly called JoJo) or that I had felt him kick earlier in the week (I’ll blame his movement on my goofy smile).

My favorite part of this workout is that this lower body series can truly be done anywhere at any time with anyone. Whether you’re six months preggo*, stuck in an office, wearing a baby, chasing a toddler or enjoying a unicorn moment by yourself, you can take advantage of nearly every exercise within this series, and end each circuit feeling energized, stronger and grateful to have “snuck” a few moments to do something just for you. (SIDE NOTE: *I should be a responsible guide and note that you should absolutely check with your doctor – especially if you’ve got a JoJo on the way – before beginning an exercise program.)

Wellness isn’t about reconfiguring your entire life so your actions can fit into some box.

Whole-person wellness is about making small shifts that allow you to feel more awake, present and comfortable in your body both in this moment and in the long-run.

In other words, rather than feeling like you have to spend hours at the gym or in the kitchen or on your meditation cushion to be “good enough” or “fit enough” or “healthy enough,” I want you to know that the small, mindful MOMENTS matter.

Choosing a nourishing food over something that irritates your stomach, choosing to step outside for a walk rather than scrolling your newsfeed (I almost deleted that one… it stings, it feels too true), choosing to turn on your music and cruise through this leg circuit rather than (or before) pouring a third cup of coffee at 2PM – these seemingly small choices make significant shifts in your mind, heart and physical well-being over time.

While we may know this in theory, it’s important to act on our wisdom.

Today, I invite you to transform your inner wisdom into ACTION.

Make that small but mighty shift in your day by digging into this workout with the Free Workout Guide I’ve created for you.

Your legs may shake, your booty may feel an extra burn the next day, which is precisely the reason I created a fun Workout Guide for you. Check out

  • soothing stretches for your lower back
  • hip-opening stretches
  • BONUS exercises
  • an entire follow up leg workout to ensure that you tone your outer and inner thighs evenly.

Download your Free Workout Guide and set yourself up to feel as refreshed, proud and beautifully balanced.

Stability Ball Workout

Stability Ball Workout

It's time we tell eachother the truth about motherhood.

Have you ever watched an adorable, well-lit mama-baby workout and thought to yourself…

Sure. That’s adorable. But it’s gotta be a joke.

Mmhmm. I see videos parents doing yoga with they’re adorable, crawling baby in lovely, grassy parks, and I wonder HOW did they train their baby to not crawl away?

And I get it… Babies are adorable. I’m a big believer that if you find something that works for you and your family, it’s important to share it.

But this is where we, as moms, can fail each other without knowing it.

When we only share the good – the beautiful, the “blessed” moments, the magical my-heart-is-so-full moments – we risk suggesting that our life is free of the struggles, frustrations and crazy-making that every human on this planet faces.

We risk making other moms wonder where did I go wrong?

I’m guilty of it too – I know I am. My theory? I think that we – as women, as mothers, as humans – don’t want to complain. We think we can handle it on our own. We think that if we share the ugly my-kid-just-shit-everywhere-and-then-I-literally-cried-over-spilt-(breast)milk-days, we’ll sound like a whiner… and we don’t want to bring anyone down into crazy town with us.

But here’s the magnificent thing about being human: While opening up about what we don’t know, where we have fallen or failed, how we are less than perfectly positive 100% of the time feels awkward and (for lack of a more sophisticated word) yucky, the act of sharing our vulnerabilities connects us.

Doesn’t that make your heart break and soften all at once?

Our vulnerabilities connect us.

Vulnerabilities make us human. Vulnerabilities grow our empathy muscle. Vulnerabilites allow us to nod along, admitting to one another “I’ve been there.” Vulnerabilites bring us into deeper, more authentic relationship with one another.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but over the last 18 months of mothering my sweet Max, I’ve found that we need one another in this season of life more than we know.

Now what does all of this have to do with a workout?

Well, this is my real life. The lighting’s never ideal, I’m rarely in “real” workout gear, but moving my body makes me feel slightly more sane, and I’m passionate about sharing the elements in my mind-body fitness wheelhouse that work… in spite of a pants-less toddler who refuses to leave my side.

For that reason, I’d love to share my real feelings about working out with a toddler, along with the incredible total-body workout that you can do on and around a stability ball (clearly, with a crazy toddler in tow.)

…and as you’ll hear, I can completely nerd out about the fitness intricacies and the training techniques. Rather than boring you with all of that, I’ll share more in your workout Cheat Sheet email. That way, you’ll know a little more about the super sets, compound movements and advantages of challenging your balance, but I’ll save you from those details here.

We’re all busy. We’re all slightly crazed. We’re all in this together, as long as we’re willing to genuinely open up with one another about the truth the threads our journeys.

Here’s a little piece of mine.

Whether you’re a recovering type-A person, like me, or you feel like you could just use a little more structure in your self-care routine, I’ve created a helpful workout cheat sheet for you, so you customize this very workout with clarity, confidence and compassion.

Leg & booty workout – part 1

Leg & booty workout – part 1

This one’s for all the mamas who may not have oodles of motivation or hours of time.

I don’t know about you, but at 26-weeks preggo, I’m was going for strength and endurance over aesthetics.

SIDE NOTE: I’ve got to say, while working out was pretty tough for me mentally and physically at this point, it made me feel a little less anxious about birth and all things baby and I believe that it prepared me for a tricky labor and natural birth. 

Now, just like Part 1 – the Barre Workout for ANY-Body, you definitely do not need to be pregnant to benefit GREATLY from this workout.

In fact, you may have even more fun if you’re not carrying another human being. (wink)

Either way, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on the DOUBLE Workout Cheat Sheet so that you can: 

  • Enhance THIS workout by turning it into a total body workout (I’ll show you all 3 BONUS Exercises) 
  • Dive straight into Part 1 – the BARRE workout
  • Weave in back-relieving and hip-opening stretches
  • Learn how to create your very own workout circuit, no matter how little time you have
  • Track your progress on a beautiful workout chart

Make sure to leave a comment below and share how you made this workout your own!