True Confession: when my kids are whining, fighting, or having a hard time with each other or life, it is very challenging for me to keep my cool.
The instant I am cued into their discomfort, I feel a fire inside of my body.
And instead of my natural response being compassion or gentleness, I either
A. Want to stop the disorder or their discomfort as soon as humanly possible by meeting their intensity with fire.
Or
B. Feel the urge to run away or disconnect by distracting my mind with busy work.
But 99.9% of the time my inclination is to meet their intensity with intensity.
It's an absolute challenge for me to be retraining my system to do the opposite.
But fighting fire with fire doesn't work.
You have to {s}mother it.
Studies have actually shown that meeting aggression (power) with aggression produces more testosterone in the body…. for women and men.
That testosterone creates more aggression.
The way to calm it?
Remove its life force energy.
Oxygen.
I'm absolutely not suggesting you smother your kids when they are getting on your nerves.😄
Instead, I'm suggesting that you mother them.
Invite a feminine approach to meeting their fire.
In a sense, take the air out of what is fueling them so they can ground and settle.
But you first have to be grounded and settled.
I'm definitely no parenting expert, but I do know the nervous system.
And it functions in much the same way.
If your nervous system is already living in a state of fight or flight, and you add the intensity of a hard workout or run into the mix, it will only create more fear.
What this might look like for you…
😶🌫️Your brain is scattered,
you go for a run to clear your thoughts.
You get temporary clarity, but then revert back to brain fog and not being able to finish tasks.
🗓 You're worried about plans for upcoming events,
you do a hard workout to get your mind off of things.
You feel relief in the moment, but the worry returns with 10 other things you hadn't thought of yet.
Fighting fire with fire never works.
You have to take a softer, gentler approach.
A more feminine way..
Water.
Earth.
What your nervous system really needs is presence.
To be noticed.
To be connected with and grounded.
This might be as simple as pausing to place a hand on your heart and notice the connection.
Or it might be by moving your body mindfully with your breath.
Or sitting in nature.
Or doing all three by attending an outdoor yoga class, like Yoga in the Park or Sunrise Yoga at Cordova Park.
Whatever feels like it’s moving too slow is probably the answer you actually need.
Just let it be nurturing… mothering.
Even small doses help your nervous system settle.
If you’re local, we’re doing this sort of work by using nature’s rhythm to also co-regulate to.
More details below about our Yoga in the Park Summer Series or the upcoming partnership with Marion County Conservation for Sunrise Yoga in July.
Come practice this with us!🌳
Cheers,
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Intensity needs softness.
WANT TO JOIN US FOR CLASS OR WORK WITH ME?
Register for studio classes here.
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Studio Classes:
THURSDAY - Somatic Reset - NEW CLASS!!
5:30 AM • All levels welcome
Somatic Reset blends gentle somatic movement and yoga to support awareness, release tension, and reconnect with your body.
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THURSDAY -The Weekly Breath Reset (Virtual)
8:30 AM • 30-minute virtual breath work
Your breath has the power to change how you experience stress. Harness that power of your breath to start your day with intention.
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SATURDAY - Yoga in the Park
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome
This class is generally blend of a flow-based practice and a restorative/yin practice. Practice location varies each class... refer to Yoga in the Park flyer for the next park location!
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MONDAY - Restorative/Yin Practice
5:30 PM • All levels welcome
A restorative class with longer held postures & mindful breathing to build stress resiliency & bring balance to your fast-paced life.
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WEDNESDAY - Yoga + Breath Work Flow
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome
Active, flow-based practice integrating strength, balance and mobility. Intentional breath work practices included.
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Special Events:
SATURDAY, JUN 13 - Yoga in the Park - Free Childcare Available!
8:30 AM • Veteran's Park
Yoga in the Park is BACK this Saturday — bring a friend and both of you practice for the price of one! Just $20 for two, no registration needed.
Please bring a mat or blanket to practice on. Other yoga props will be provided.
💥Now offering FREE childcare during class. Bring your little(s) and a trained babysitter will entertain while you have some much needed self-care.💥
If you'd like to register, do so here.
SATURDAY, JUL 25 - MCCD Sunrise Yoga at Cordova Park
8:00 AM • Cordova Park, 1378 Highway G-28, Otley IA 50214 • All ages and levels
MCCD and Cairn Yoga & Wellness are teaming up for a grounding morning yoga practice at Cordova Park. While the sun may already be shining, this class invites you to greet the day with mindful movement and breath—helping you steady yourself amidst the height of summer’s expansive energy. After yoga spend some time taking a quiet walk through the woods or take in the view from the tower.
Learn more and register here.
Group & 1:1 Somatic Sessions:
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE - Personalized Somatic Coaching & Stress Resilience Training
TBD • At your location or at the studio
In these sessions I guide groups through practical, embodied practices—like breath work, mindfulness, gentle movement, and/or emotional awareness—to build stress resilience. Each session offers simple, effective tools to help participants reset, regulate, and respond with greater calm and clarity in everyday life.
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