Dve Exhale

This is so validating. I have CPTSD and my mental health has dramatically declined over the past year. I cried for 3 days straight, last week. *I am in therapy and on medication. I am safe. *
My point is that the political climate has truly caused me distress. I completely relocated my family across the country to get just a little relief. I feel hopeless, much of the time. Discouraged about raising my kids here in the US. Fearful of losing more of my rights, friends, and family.

It’s not just about politics. People I love who voted for, support, and participate in views and ideologies that center around their own gain. It’s “every man for himself” and the ends justify the means,” as Jim Jones used to say. It’s horrifying. Especially for people like me who already live in fear because that’s the way my brain works. I’m even afraid to elaborate on this.

And I need a village. I give everything I can to others and I love that about myself. I can’t wrap my head around someone celebrating their gain when it requires loss for so many other people. That’s what I see, every day, in this “great country.”

So, if you wonder where I have been, it’s quite simple. Surviving, not thriving. And if you wonder why I don’t post/reply with detailed, factual, responses to your interrogating questions, passive aggressive comments, and laughing emojis, it’s because I am conserving my energy. I’m deeply hurting.

What have we become?

The Dysregulated Society: How Chronic Stress Fuels Political Polarization - Trauma Aware America The political climate today isn’t just about ideology or policy; it is about nervous systems in constant activation. From an interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, this isn’t simply disagreement; it’s widespread dysregulation. People aren’t just arguing about facts or values. They’...

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Image credit https://positiveexposure.org/pearls/crushing-exhaustion-always/

[Illustration of a person with long brown hair sitting cross-legged on the floor, head in hands, appearing overwhelmed. The background is beige with a purple border. Text above reads: “Disabled people often have no choice but to become advocates in order to survive & get what they need & that’s not sustainable.”]

Each one of these photos brings me joy 🥲

Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra 1.1
Atha yogānuśāsanam
And now, the teachings of yoga begin.

I took this photo right before I entered class this morning, with this sutra in mind. My intention was to start this training having wiped the slate clean—“with a fresh mind,” I thought.

But Jivana told us not to do that—that our time and experience have a place in this training. At first that felt new to me, but I quickly realized I would be bringing my experiences anyway!

After all, the whole reason I sought out Accessible Yoga was because I became disabled myself. I feel fortunate to experience yoga in a different body type and shape; not many teachers get that privilege. It lets me personally relate to more people.

I feel refreshed and inspired stepping out of class today. No matter how many years I study, or who I study with, I will always be a student. As my co-teacher Sylvia Ann used to say, “Yoga is a practice, not an achievement.”

How has yoga met you in the different seasons of your life? I’d love to hear your reflections.

Photo description: iPad displaying a book page, a dark green journal with a tree design, and a printed Accessible Yoga Training schedule resting on soft blankets.

🌿 Accessible Yoga Teacher Training begins this Friday! 🌿

I’m so excited to step into this next chapter—learning how to transform my own life transitions and changing body into tools that support and uplift others.

This journey isn’t just about teaching yoga; it’s about making yoga truly accessible to *every* body.

Follow along as I grow, learn, and bring these teachings back to our Dve Exhale community. 💜



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JvNJrDENy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Accessible Yoga Training Online with and special guests starts Friday!

In our upcoming training, you’ll learn to design yoga classes where all students can practice together in a way that honors and celebrates people of all ages, sizes, abilities, and experience levels.

The training is live with pre-recorded sessions, and you’ll have one year with the material.

3 tiers of payment plans—with a special community rate—are available!

Link in bio to save your spot!

⭐️ Our all-star faculty:
Jivana Heyman
Rodrigo Souza
Tamika Caston-Miller
Nityda Gessel
Shanna Small
M Camellia
Anjali Rao
Dani Anderson
Tan Hubbard
Tristan Katz
Ann Swanson
Amma Fandino

[ID: Silver gradient event flyer with a muddy teal and peach-colored waves and headshots of faculty.]

Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

(PYS 1.2 — “Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff.”)

🌱This single sutra holds the essence of yoga; the rest of the text simply unfolds it.

🪴If we can learn to quiet the fluctuations of the mind, we begin to change the way we see the world.

Today I’m leaning on this teaching to soften my own “mind-stuff”:
• The chronic fatigue I am learning to surrender to
• The all-too-frequent interruptions I’m choosing to view as small breaks rather than annoyances
• The divisive, inhumane policies our government is implementing
• The general state of my country and the world 🌍

🍃Yoga reminds me: when I steady my mind, my perspective shifts—no matter what swirls around me.

Let’s explore this sutra together. What helps you quiet the mind? I’d love to hear your reflections below.🌿




Image description:
A sunset photo over a rocky shoreline. The sky fades from soft orange near the horizon to pale blue and purple above. The calm water reflects the fading light. On the right edge of the photo, a person stands in silhouette near the trees, looking out toward the horizon. In the center of the image, bold black text reads:

“PYS 1.2”
“Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ”

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful Sunday! I had the privilege of stepping out to practice with Amy—AND a real, live class, AND an exceptional teacher—AND it was Ashtanga! 🤩🤤

This was my first in-person class since 2021. While having a self-practice is essential, it’s hard when that’s all you have. I’m so excited to reconnect with a yoga community once again.

Amy and I followed our practice with a yummy breakfast at the Astoria Coffeehouse & Bistro, shopped for a yoga mat for them, and then we walked the Astoria Sunday Market and spent way too much money on teas and things.

I feel completely bathed in joy, excitement, and gratitude right now.

Your friendly reminder 🩵



Image description:
A graphic with a warm orange background and playful black doodles—stars, arrows, and curly lines. In the upper right corner, a red-tipped marker is drawn as if it’s just made the black scribbles. In the center, inside an irregular white oval outlined with sketchy black lines, bold red text reads: “Healing isn’t linear.” Below, in black text: “It’s more like a toddler with a marker: unpredictable, chaotic, and occasionally on your couch.” The Instagram handle appears at the bottom.

It’s and I’m jumping on board! I know it’s a little late, but it’s okay to do things at your own pace 😍

This is a birthday card that I bought for myself when we first arrived in Seattle this summer. Sasha pulled it out and showed it to me today, “Look at this, Mommy!” I think he knew that I needed it now.

Well, yeah! This is perfectly, perfect because September is also my birthday month. So why not take this month to focus on self care? To allow myself all of the glimmers, practice the meditations, absorb the star gazings, read my books, make the jewelry, paint my nails, buy some pants, get all the yoga props my upcoming training and practice something melty and restorative.

Maybe I could I fill my cup to overflowing 🤔🤗

What are you favorite ways to practice self care? Do you incorporate it regularly? Or do you also need to be reminded?

Image description: A birthday card illustrated with a smiling yellow mushroom wearing a purple party hat. The mushroom is holding a purple cupcake with a single lit candle. The watercolor background blends soft pink, purple, and blue tones. Text on the card reads: “Happiest Birthday to you! Have so mush fun!”
Second image credits the artist.

🌿 Big news 🌿

I’m new here in Astoria, still finding my place in this community, and something beautiful is unfolding. I just started a new Accessible Yoga Teacher Training, and I’m beyond excited.

Accessible Yoga means creating space for every body—different sizes, abilities, genders, identities. It means centering equity and honoring the land we practice on. It feels like finally stepping into the kind of yoga I’ve always believed in: inclusive, grounded, and real.

This is the beginning of something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time, and I can’t wait to share the journey with you. 💜

Image description: A close-up selfie of a smiling person with dark hair pulled back, next to a tabby cat wearing a blue collar. The cat is in the foreground, looking directly at the camera with a relaxed, slightly squinty expression.