Courage the Cowardly Yoga Teacher

Am I scared? Yes. Am I doing it anyway? Also Yes.

They say that courage is not the absence of fear.

It’s feeling scared and doing it anyway.

Well…here I am being courageous and sh!t.

When I launched the first issue of Root&Rise nearly a year ago, I was determined to apply everything I’d learned from past writing projects to make this newsletter a success.

Mostly, I was tired of being at the mercy of the muse. She is exhilarating, but unreliable. No more waiting around for inspiration to strike. I needed structure—a framework that could guide my creativity without stifling it.

So, I built a scaffolding of routines, schedules, and formats to support my writing.

First, I set a fixed publishing time: Sundays at 4am Alaska time. This deadline gave me the consistency, accountability and urgency I needed to stay focused, while also building trust with my readers - aka you!

Next, I chose a monthly theme format. Themes provided direction while still allowing space for creativity. I began with “Welcome” - kicking off twelve months of themed issues ranging from change to grief, gratitude and rest.

This structure has kept me productive and on track. It’s worked really well for me. Which is why, what I’m about to do feels so utterly unhinged.

I’m letting go of the monthly themes and surrendering to the muse once again.

How did we get here?

To understand how we got here, let’s go back to the beginning.

Believe it or not, I didn’t start out intending to write about yoga—at least not like this. When I launched Root&Rise, I envisioned blending my love for narrative nonfiction with my love for yoga. Personal essays have always been my strength, and I wanted to explore yoga through that lens.

I did manage to do this here and there, my efforts resulting in some of my favorite issues: The Double Life of a Commercial Fisherman's Wife, Failing Forward and Navigating Unexpected Grief.

But most of the content leaned more toward instruction than personal storytelling, and I think I know why: I didn’t want to leave anyone behind. I wanted both beginners and seasoned practitioners to find value in this newsletter. So, I started with the fundamentals, gradually building toward more complex topics like Sankalpa and Sadhana. Now, I feel like we’re all on the same page, and anyone who isn’t has an entire archive of back issues to learn from.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of Root&Rise, I’m ready for phase two. It’s time to let go of the map and see where the road leads. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and following my heart into the unknown.

Am I terrified? Yes. Do I know what I’m doing? Not really. Am I still going to show up in your inbox every Sunday at 4am? Hell yes.

So, let’s take a little trust fall together.

This week’s practices are a collection of resources I’ve gathered over the past few months. I love each one, but for various reasons, they didn’t make it into previous issues. Today felt like the perfect time to share them. Enjoy!

The Deep Spirituality of Agni | Katie Silcox | Spirit Sessions Podcasts

35 minutes | All Levels

Every once in a while, I come across a teacher so deeply immersed in their area of expertise that their just radiates from them. When they speak, their genius is palpaple. It radiates off of them in the most heartfelt and captivating way.

This level of embodied wisdom is potent and rare. I’ve had the pleasure of learning from four such teachers: Anatomy with Kristen Leal, Kundalini Yoga with Jai Dev, the Chakras with Erica Jago and Ayurveda with Katie Silcox.

Katie packs so much wisdom into this 30-minute episode. I’ve listened multiple times and continue to uncover new layers with each replay. She really gets cooking around ten minutes in, but I recommend listening to the whole thing to appreciate her style and the inspiration behind the episode.

Power Up Your Mind with Isha Kriya Meditation – beginner meditation | Generation Calm

16 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly

This meditation is an excellent choice for anyone looking to slow down and incorporate more stillness into their life. With minimal guidance, it’s a golden opportunity to sit in silence and be fully present.

The Isha Kriya involves three simple parts: silent mantra repetition, brief chanting, and quiet sitting. After practicing this class, I felt remarkably calm. My mind was unusually still and spacious, and I noticed a deep sense of peace. I plan to revisit it often.

17 Minute Gratitude Flow | Good Moves | Well+Good

I really like this class for a couple of reasons. First, having two people in the video allows us to see how different bodies approach the poses, highlighting the natural variations in form—so valuable!

Second, I dig this teacher’s style! Her cueing is clear and easy to follow, her tone warm and down-to-earth. She’s joyful and relatable, adjusting her clothes and hair during the class, which makes her feel more human. I definitely want to practice with her more!

I’ve felt the pulled to ditch the script and write from the heart for a while now, and I’m finally answering that call.

I’d like to acknowledge two writers that inspired me to take the leap. The first is The Asian Astrologer. Discovering her newsletter and approach to astrology was revelatory for me. I could copy/paste the description below, replace astrology with yoga and define my vision for Root&Rise perfectly.

The second shoutout goes to a personal essay that left me breathless. It reminded me of the power of narrative nonfiction and made me realize I couldn’t keep writing a glorified user manual for yoga. I encourage you to take the time to read this touching story about finding the extraordinary in everyday life. It’s truly beautiful

I Quit My Life 🔪 & Moved to the Woods 🏡

That’s all for now. I’ll see you guys next Sunday!