I’m writing this from Nicaragua, as I begin my winter contract at Rancho Santana, where I’ve been fortunate enough to teach yoga, work as a personal trainer, lead ocean paddleboard tours, and now guide powerful sound healing sessions over the last 8 years. 

Being here reminds me every day of the raw power of healing from within, a process so real and transformative that I can almost feel it shifting in my own heart.

The energy here is potent, palpable, and grounding; despite the approach of the windy season. 

As I interact with clients in my classes on their own healing paths, I witness incredible transformations at their very core. The journey is not about just mastering yoga postures or achieving physical goals—though that’s part of it! 

It’s about peeling back the layers, moving through deeply held emotions, and healing from the inside out. This is “Feel it to Heal it” in real-time.

Healing is often misunderstood as something passive, but true healing is active, courageous, and deeply personal. Here’s the thing: the emotions, memories, and beliefs that hold us back stay buried until we give them space to breathe, to move, and to be released. 

That’s the real work here—not just stepping into the role of a teacher, student, or practitioner, but stepping into our truest selves. When we allow ourselves to feel deeply, we get to the root causes of pain, self-doubt, and the patterns that keep us small. 

Only then can real healing begin.

Here in Nicaragua, these shifts go far beyond surface-level transformation. I’ve seen students reclaim themselves in ways they never thought possible—processing years, even decades, of emotions, limitations, and deeply held memories. 

The process of yoga + movement is life-changing, and you can see it in their eyes, in their voices, and the way they move through the world. They’re stepping fully into alignment, not only as embodied humans but as beings ready to bring light and healing back to others.

If you feel called to experience your own shift, here are three powerful steps you can take to cultivate change in your life:

 1. Set Aside Time to “Feel it to Heal it”

Emotions don’t just vanish if we ignore them; they linger until we’re ready to process them. Give yourself permission to truly feel what you may have buried. Find 15-30 minutes each week to sit with whatever arises. Journaling, meditating, or even taking a mindful nature walk can provide a space to process these feelings without judgment. Notice how each session brings clarity and relief.

Exercise: Emotional Check-In

• Settle into a quiet space, close your eyes, and take deep, centering breaths.
• Reflect on this question: “What am I feeling that I might have been avoiding?”
• Let whatever emotions arise flow onto paper, allowing them to move without restriction.
• When you’re done, take a moment to acknowledge these emotions, and release them. 

2. Surround Yourself with the Energy of Growth

We’re products of our environments, so surround yourself with people, routines, and things that reflect the change you seek. Whether it’s an inspiring friend, a meaningful book, or a grounding practice, let your environment nourish your growth. The shifts are profound when we choose uplifting energy.

Exercise: Curate a Growth Environment

• Create a list of books, podcasts, or music that energizes and inspires you.
• Spend 10 minutes a few times each week engaging with this content, whether reading, listening, or simply reflecting.
• Observe how your environment impacts your mood, thoughts, and perspective.

3. Take One Aligned Action Toward Your Dreams

Change doesn’t require a giant leap; it’s about small, aligned actions taken consistently. Every small step builds confidence, momentum, and clarity. Pick one meaningful step each day, whether it’s starting a passion project, signing up for a class, or saying “no” to what doesn’t serve you. Each action reinforces your path.

Exercise: The Aligned Action Tracker

• Write down a goal or dream that excites you.
• Each day for one week, take one small action that supports this goal.
• Reflect on how each action shifts your perspective, energy, and confidence.

Becoming your own best healer is about deep trust, courageous feeling, and choosing actions that are aligned with your soul. You have everything you need within you to create this healing journey, and every step you take toward growth builds a new path.

As you move through these exercises, remember that each shift, each moment of release, and each aligned action clears space for you to become the person you’re meant to be. And that, my friend, is a beautiful journey. 🌱