Will You Be My Valentine?
A "Dozen" Red Resources, Artfully Arranged and Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
-Charles Schulz
Valentine’s Day is this Friday and I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really feeling it this year. Or at least, I wasn’t until I realized something: I have 139 reasons to celebrate.
What’s the significance of that number? I’m glad you asked!
Right now, Root&Rise has 139 subscribers. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a huge number. Some newsletters have tens of thousands of subscribers. But in my little corner of Substack, 139 is everything.
139 people have discovered my newsletter and decided it’s worth subscribing to.
139 people are invested (or at least interested) in building a home yoga practice that nourishes their soul and flows seamlessly into their lives.
139 people have opened their hearts and minds to the stories I share—about my life, my practice, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.
139 people believe in my work and encourage me to keep showing up every week.
So, in honor of you 139 beautiful souls, I’ve put together an extra special issue. Think of it like a big, red, heart-shaped box of the finest assorted chocolates— a gift of love and appreciation, from my practice to yours.
The Sweetness is in the Surprise
Every year around this time, I treat myself to a big box of Valentine’s edition “all milks” assorted chocolates from See’s Candies. It’s a luxurious indulgence—shipping to Alaska is not cheap. But it’s totally worth it.
I always share the chocolates with my son, and together, we work our way through the box. He’s on a mission to find the caramels. The chocolates don’t come with a guide, so he has to scan the box and use his intuition to find the gooey, golden treasures. The anticipation builds as he picks one and takes that first bite, and I let him sample as many as needed until he finds the sweet prize he’s hunting for.
As for me? I like to sample everything. I enjoy the thrill of not knowing what’s inside. Each chocolate is a surprise, and they’re all delicious.
I invite you to approach today’s assortment of offerings like a big box of chocolates. Maybe you’re like my son, on the hunt for something specific, and you won’t know which one until you find it. Or maybe you’re like me, sampling your way through each one until you find the one that’s so irresistible, you want to consume the whole thing.
Or, maybe you’re the type to savor them slowly, one at a time, maybe even saving the best for last… just remember: if you wait too long, someone might swoop in and take the last caramel before you get to it. Trust me, I speak from experience.
The City of Angels | Field Notes From Samsara | Manoj Dias
Newsletter | All Levels
Manoj Dias is one of my all-time favorite meditation teachers. His calming presence and offerings are infused with an embodied stillness that makes them feel rare and special. My only complaint is that he doesn’t have more content on YouTube. I’ve shared a few of his videos here and I’m always on the lookout for more.
So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across his newsletter this week! I haven’t had a chance to dive too far in yet, but everything I’ve read is exactly what I’d hoped for—deep, thoughtful teachings rooted in lived wisdom.
After reading his piece Books That Shaped My Inner World, I’ve started listening to Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart and I’m really enjoying it. Manoj’s love letter to L.A., shared above, is beautiful and warm—I felt connected to the city, its people, and their heartache after the recent wildfires.
I’m excited to explore more of his work and grateful for this new way to access his teachings. I hope you find some time to check them out too.
Are You Betraying Yourself? | LifeLift
21 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I had the pleasure of experiencing a “Rapid Transformation Hypnotherapy” group session earlier this week as part of a creative cohort. This was my third session with Monika, and as always, it was exceptional.
Monika’s work dives into the subconscious, helping unravel the deeply ingrained childhood beliefs that once served us but now hold us back. She guides us toward more mature, productive ways of thinking and moving through the world.
My friend put it best: “This shit really works.” And it does. I’ve experienced so much growth since I started working with Monika a year ago.
When I discovered she had a YouTube channel, I knew I had to share it with you. The video I posted today is a powerful example of the wisdom she brings to her sessions. I got so much out of this brief, 20 minute video—I know you will too.
Yoga to Feel Your Best | Yoga With Adriene
23 minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I don’t share a lot of videos from Adriene—not because I don’t enjoy her classes (I really do!) but because she’s basically YouTube’s yoga darling, and I like to shine a light on other teachers who don’t get as much recognition.
That said, sometimes you just can’t beat a good old-fashioned Yoga With Adriene class.
I’ve been leading a yoga club at the local middle school for the past few weeks, but I had to miss this week due to a medical appointment. In my absence, I sent this video along with a short yoga nidra for the students to practice—and they loved it! They really appreciated her clear cues and how accessible the sequence felt.
So, I thought I’d pass it along to all of you too. Enjoy!
Ayla Nova Nidra for a Calm Mind | Ayla Nova
50 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
After seeing a recommendation from my dear friend and fellow yoga teacher Lisa, I decided to try this Yoga Nidra from Ayla Nova.
Wow. I was blown away. I’ve practiced many of Ayla’s Nidras, but this one was exceptional—basically the perfect Yoga Nidra. I felt deeply relaxed during the practice and completely refreshed afterward. It’s incredible.
If you can carve out an hour this week to lie down, get cozy, and practice with Ayla Nova, please do it! I think you’re really going to love it.
(I have an affinity for exclamation marks but rarely indulge…this felt like the perfect time. Ayla deserves them all!!!!) 😊
As you move through this week, and the onslaught of Valentine’s Day fanfare, please be kind to yourself.
Remember, there are so many ways to celebrate love that aren’t romantic. Other types of love include platonic, paternal/maternal, pets and most importantly…self love!
Find a way to give yourself, and maybe someone or furry friend that you love a lot, a little extra TLC this week—in whatever form speaks to you.
I’ll see you next Sunday!