• Hampshire Pride with new friends

• Celebrating my spouse Cam’s graduation from their Masters degree program

• Continuing to offer yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery for the queer & trans community

• Starting a new Vinyasa Yoga offering at the Northampton Center for the Arts and getting to teach yoga asana in a different way than I have in the past year.

I spent the majority of last month making sure that when I was out of work I was getting together with friends. Time in solitude is important, but this is what really fills up my cup. Finding real community often means sacrificing your “free time” for others. Even though you’re exhausted, it will mean so much to that friend that you attended their birthday party, helped them move, or joined them to celebrate their accomplishments. One way I plan to show up for my community is to attend the ever-growing Yet Another Queer Pop-Up Market this Saturday from 12pm - 6pm and buy wares from friends and community members. I hope to see you there!

Pride Yoga Fundraiser

Basecamp at Beaver Falls is located on the grounds of an old nudist community - so cool!! I thought that this old sign that’s still up was a sweet nod to the land’s history.

I was absolutely honored to teach yoga sessions to the volunteers of The Venture Out Project (TVOP) last weekend. TVOP leads backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and trans community and conducts trans inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, and summer camps. Every Spring, TVOP meets with their volunteers at the Basecamp at Beaver Falls in Halifax, VT and lead a long-weekend full of training in LGBTQ+ centered Wilderness First Aid, diversity and inclusion justice in the outdoors, and more.

This year the staff wanted to provide the volunteers with some much needed respite throughout their packed days, so I drove up two days of the weekend to offer all-levels yoga asana classes. We practiced breathing and challenging ourselves to let go of our expectations of ourselves while we moved across the mat. Some people had a regular practice and others were practicing yoga for the first time.

Volunteers travel from all across the country for this training and travel stipends to and from Basecamp can be provided to any volunteer who needs it, no questions asked. TVOP funds the Volunteer Summit with their pool of donations - here’s where you come in!

I will be offering two fundraiser yoga classes in the month of June to celebrate Pride and all donations (sliding scale, starting at $10) from these classes will be benefitting The Venture Out Project. These classes will be held at the Northampton Center for the Arts, in Carole’s Dance Studio.

Save the dates!

Thursday June 18th & Thursday June 25th, 5:30pm - 6:30pm at the Northampton Center for the Arts (33 Hawley Street, Northampton)

Sign Up Here!

Yoga Updates

In some really exciting news, I am working with a fellow yoga teacher and friend of mine to begin looking at local rental properties! We both want to offer yoga asana classes and workshops at a sliding scale so that we can start to bring more yoga to people at a price point that is actually accessible. Western Mass is currently inhabited by studios that charge $20 and more per class, with some exclusions.

We hope to open a new yoga and wellness studio in the Northampton / Easthampton area. We are looking for a local bodyworker that needs a space to be involved and may even be partnering with a local business for the retail part of the space - more on this soon!!

If you have any suggestions on where you’d like to see us, class time & style preferences, or you have a connection to a space you think might be a good fit PLEASE reach out!!

Current Offerings

Tuesdays | 6pm - 7pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 12 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sundays | 4:30pm - 5:30pm All Levels Vinyasa Yoga at Northampton Center for the Arts. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

Kacey Musgraves’ new album, Middle of Nowhere

This month I have preferred listening to albums in full instead of creating playlists. It’s easier on my decision fatigue and helps me discover new music in a different way. My favorite songs on this album are ‘Loneliest Girl’ and ‘Rhinestoned,’ but I really do love them all. Each track is completely different from the next and I was shocked at how much I’m loving the country influence on this album. As a self-proclaimed country-hater I do have to say that never includes Miss Musgraves. I love her voice and the way that she brings you into stories with each song. This album is being labeled as a “return to her roots,” with an obvious Texas influence. Scattered with amazing features by Gregory Alan Isakov, Willie Nelson, and Miranda Lambert, I have genuinely been listening to this album front to back since it came out in late April.

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): View from the Northampton Tuesday Market, my first real latte art, Felix being a snuggly bean, hibachi from Osaka, the view from a friend’s backyard during ‘no mow May,’ tickets to see Miss Hayley Williams again in September (!!!).

I’m extra grateful for the communities that I’m a part of that help me to fill my cup when it’s hard for me to do so myself. One of the ways that I am hoping to continue to practice self care when life gets crazy is to hold steady in my routines. The road is winding and sometimes we have to adjust, but making sure I do these things will surely help. The top routines I hope to keep are:

1. Lift heavy weights at least two times a week

2. Get on my mat once or twice a week without it being a class I’m teaching

3. Make time to eat nourishing meals with my spouse

4. Do something FUN and socialize with friends

We will check back in a few weeks to make sure that I’m holding myself accountable - wish me luck!

Starting this Sunday, I begin to offer more regular yoga classes!! Sunday at 4:30pm is the first of my new Vinyasa Yoga classes at the Northampton Center for the Arts. This class will be held in Carole’s Dance Studio, which is so spacious and clean and I can’t wait to see how it goes. Unlike 50 Arrow, I pay a rental fee to use NCFA, so I am hoping to break even with at least five students per class. If you’ve been looking to take a class with me but haven’t been able to make it to QT Yoga or don’t identify that way, I’d love to see you there. Sign up in advance (linked below) or just show up the day of.

Some folks wanted a better understanding of the differences between my class offerings, but what I really want to make known is that most of my classes are set up the same way. I have my 200 hour YTT in Vinyasa Yoga and was classically trained in that style, so all my classes have Vinyasa elements. One of the key components of offering a Vinyasa class is to connect the breath with movement. I’m always sure to cue the breath in my classes since I feel that’s what most of us need, even more than the physical. In my new Vinyasa Yoga class we will warm up the body, move through a variety of postures that feel nourishing, and end with guided rest. See below for a little more information about the differences between my Queer & Trans Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga classes.

Current Offerings

Tuesdays | 6pm - 7pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 15 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sundays | 4:30pm - 5:30pm All Levels Vinyasa Yoga at Northampton Center for the Arts. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sunday May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

All I Did Was Dream of You — beabadoobee feat. The Marías

One Foot Out — Infinity Song

So What — MUNA

god forbid a girl spits out her feelings! — LØLØ

I honestly haven’t been listening to much music lately (outside of my playlist at the coffee shop) because I haven’t been in the car. That’s always where I do the most listening and discovering of new music. Working at home and mere feet away at the coffee shop isn’t really an opportunity to be locked into finding new music, so I spent the majority of my weekend making sure I checked out the new releases on my Qobuz app. There I found 2 of the songs above, and the other 2 have been swirling around my mind for a month or so. Check them out and let me know what you think!

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): The tiniest lil bb San Pellegrino, selfie in my dream mirror, Wake the Dead Donuts at Atwood Drive when driving a friend to an appointment, 85 degrees in April = blueberry mode, Portals bread, spending time with Jude in the sunshine.

I have many yoga offerings coming up - including my popular Yoga and Sound workshop at Sanctuary in Northampton. This offering is now available at a Self-Serve Scholarship rate. This is intended for those looking to purchase a pass for any of Sanctuary’s one-time events at a rate lower than the standard pricing options. Simply choose the amount that works best for you, starting at $5.

Outside of workshops, I have some new and exciting weekly class schedule changes. You may have noticed that we switched Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery to now be every Tuesday 6-7pm. This has been pretty successful so far, and therefore allows more people access to this offering and to get back to a regular practice in an affinity space container. I’m also about to have a new Sunday evening class that will begin in May - I can share more so soon!

Now that I have your attention, I’d love to remind you that trans people are under attack. With the much too fast passing of TDOV (Trans Day of Visibility), I wanted to be sure that people know where they can support with their dollars and time. If Ciara Miller can post about TDOV in the middle of this Summer House drama (IYKYK), you can donate your time and money to communities that are being attacked across the country.

TERFS are the real April Fools

What is a TERF?

TERF is an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminists, referring to a subset of radical feminism that rejects the inclusion of trans women in women’s spaces and opposes transgender rights legislation. These people believe that they hold “gender-critical” views, and argue that trans women are not women.

Disgusting, right? Well unfortunately, some people don’t think so because they’re still out here in 2026 watching Harry Potter and calling it their “comfort series.” Find a new one! Stop giving this vile human your money. Real change can only come when we boycott media that is lead by problematic fascist and transphobic people. We can’t always know their ways from the start, but learning about it and continuing to contribute to the problem is unacceptable.

JK Rowling has explicitly expressed that she plans to use the money she gets from the new HBO Harry Potter show to help fund her transphobic “women’s fund.” This fund was created to finance legal battles for women in the UK and Ireland seeking to protect what she calls “sex-based rights”. The fund supports women fighting against the inclusion of trans women in female-only spaces, clubs, and services, often targeting "gender-critical" lawsuits.

We are nothing without our trans siblings and community members. Liberation is rooted in the freedom of ALL people, and still discriminating against people because you “don’t get it” is loser behavior.

Local to Western MA organizations to support -

Translate Gender offers a variety of programming, caregiver support, mentorship, and resources to support trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive community members to find their power and autonomy. They partner with so many local organizations to raise funds, including Resilient Community Arts and High Five Books.

Transhealth offers primary and mental healthcare services, as well as resources of various types to the MA trans and gender-diverse community. They have a Community Closet that offers free clothing, cosmetics, gender-affirming wear, and hygiene products for anyone in the community.

Tapestry Health is a community-based healthcare organization that serves over 26,000 residents annually. They provide services like gender affirming hormone therapy, STI and HIV testing, syringe services, and more. The trans community is able to rely on Tapestry for many community resources from Springfield to Greenfield to Northampton.

Current Offerings

Tuesdays | 6pm - 7pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 15 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

April 12, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

COMING SOON - Sundays | 4:30pm - 5:30pm All Levels Vinyasa Yoga. I’m still finalizing this contract, but more info about the location of this offering soon!

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

Full Circle — Tom Misch

This album….. oh my god. No skips.

I live for Tom Misch’s mix of guitar and singing. If you haven’t listened to him before, I highly recommend checking out his past albums (my favorites are Geography and Beat Tape 2). Funk-forward, danceable music is hitting especially hard right now and so I play this album when I’m doing chores around the house, am getting ready in the morning, and anywhere in between.

The album opens with ‘Flowers in Bloom,’ which is 4 minutes of pure vibes. Followed by ‘Red Moon’ and “Slow Tonight’ I am off my seat & dancing. Misch is particularly known for his signature electric guitar sound but he leans on his acoustic guitar a lot on this album. I can’t imagine the experience of being in the limelight and the toll it takes on an artist. In interviews since the release, Misch has said that this was an album for him to come back to himself and his music. He takes the times to recognize the important people in his life (on ‘Sisters With Me’), and talks a lot about personal growth in the lyrics. 10 / 10 no notes!

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): The only way to live is with multiple beverages on deck at all times, Goodnight Moon stamps for our wedding invites, flowers at a cafe while visiting my parents, first 5:30am shift at the coffee shop, kitties are loving open window season, view from my first porch hang of the Spring.

When I first started getting tattoos, I felt the immediate electricity of appreciation for my body for the first time. As my arms (the body part I was most aware of) began to fill up with beautiful and meaningful art, I noticed a deep respect and love for my body and the challenges that it carried me through. Little did I know that years later I’d be grateful to look different from everyone else and have over 30 tattoos. I love wearing my heart on my sleeve (literally 🤭) and getting to share a little about each tattoo when people offer compliments or ask about them. The confidence I’ve gained from feeling beautiful has changed the way that I show up every single day.

I take a lot of pride in the work I’ve done over the years to hate myself less and love myself more, but it has required me to completely shift the way I view the world, myself, and others. Entering my thirties, I promised myself to embrace the years ahead and not dwell on what has happened in the past. With that, I promised to remind myself that aging is a gift.

5 Reasons I’m Loving Aging

I don’t give a f**k what anyone thinks

Okay, okay. Sometimes I care what people think, but over the last few years my confidence has come back to me in a way I really couldn’t have expected. Part of this definitely has to do with moving to a new place in 2021 and wanting to ensure that I was my authentic self from the start. Living in my hometown and areas around Boston lead to me constantly running into people that I grew up with who had assumptions about who I was. Getting to sort of reinvent myself in a way has lead me to the belief that I don’t need to worry about what others think of me, but instead need to look internally and know that I love myself.

Time flies, so I spend it with the people I love

No more saying “yes” to every single event I get invited to. No more wasting time on people who don’t actually care about what’s happening in the world and are staying ignorant instead of learning the hard truths that are affecting marginalized communities. The group of people that I surround myself with has gotten smaller over the years, but quality over quantity reigns supreme.

I’m more open to trying new things

Putting yourself out there is really scary and I get so nervous trying anything new for the first time despite my extroverted nature. I’m trying to be better about acknowledging that staying stuck in my ways isn’t going to help me to grow. I started going to a new gym about 6 months ago and I have met some really amazing people who I hope stay lifelong friends. The gym has always been a point on contention for me with my problematic history with exercise and food. Never did I think that I would step foot in a crossfit gym in my life, but the community changed my mind and has proven me wrong, so I’m grateful I gave something new a chance.

I believe that boredom is a luxury

Most of my friends now will tell you that they don’t see me unless it’s the weekend or we planned something well in advance. If I go to Packards on a weeknight everyone is bamboozled to see me 😂 I used to go out every night after work…. HOW?! I now need rest in a deep way and capitalize on spending time at home with my cats and Cam more than anything else. My ideal night is watching a movie or a show with many seasons, takeout, cuddled up on the couch. There are people my age with children and obligations beyond their control, so I will enjoy my “boredom” and capitalize on it for as long as I can.

I’ve learned that Strength > Skinny

I’ve been able to see the ways that I am loving my aging body, despite being told it’s the worst thing in the world that can happen to a person (especially women). In this change, I have learned that I value my strength over the number on a scale. Instead of countless hours doing cardio to “lose weight,” I’m focusing on getting stronger so I can continue to live my life the way I want to. Functional movement is more important to me now and finding a gym that focuses on that has changed everything.

Current Offerings

Tuesday 3/24 | 6pm - 7:15pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 15 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10. — EXCITING NEWS! With the end of my class on Thursdays, I’m able to offer QT Yoga at 50 Arrow weekly on Tuesdays, starting in April. I will be editing this offering slightly with more information provided soon, so keep an eye out!

Thursday 3/26 | 7pm - 8pm Queer & Trans Yoga at Sanctuary Sliding scale pricing starting at $5. This is the last of this offering at this time </3

April 18, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

The Wheel — Sohn

Magic Man — Turnstile

Teeth — Mallrat

I’ve been watching a lot of TV recently. One of my favorite things is when they use a song that I’ve never heard before or one I’ve forgotten about in a show I’m watching. I’ve always said that if I could do it all over again, I would have gone to school to get a music degree so I could be a music supervisor for TV and movies. I’m constantly being brought to tears by music (ever heard of Frisson?), so I absolutely love being moved by the choice of a song in a pivotal moment on my screen. These three songs are from the show School Spirits on Paramount+ where they use LOTS of amazing music and it sucks me in completely.

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): The beautiful first sunset post-daylight savings, corned beef and cabbage from Packards on St Patrick’s Day, studio kitty - my friend Maddie’s cat Knick Knack, Pi(e) day celebration at a friends hours, pre-yoga at 50 Arrow, crossfit barbie on the whiteboard at PVCF.

My popular workshop, called Yoga and Sound, is back next Saturday (2/28) from 12pm - 1:30pm at Sanctuary. This workshop combines yoga asana and sound meditation and is accessible for all levels. If you’re looking for something relaxing and a way to spend time with yourself, practicing self-care and breathing in community, this is for you!

I love being able to bring this offering to Sanctuary, which is a beautiful studio in downtown Northampton on the third floor of Thornes Marketplace. It’s right in the middle of everything, but a place to find relaxation and peace within that craziness makes it feel like my little secret.

Sanctuary understands that asking for a scholarship can be a barrier in and of itself, so for their most common offerings and pass options (including my Yoga and Sound workshop) they now have self-serve options available to allow you to simply choose the amount that works best for you:

• The Self-Serve Scholarship (Class) Pass is intended for those looking to purchase a single pass for one of the weekly yoga classes at a rate lower than the standard pricing options.

• The Self-Serve Scholarship (Event) Pass is intended for those looking to purchase a pass for any of Sanctuary’s one-time events (workshops, etc.) at a rate lower than their standard pricing options.

If financial barrier is a reason you haven’t been able to attend one of my offerings, I highly recommend checking out these new pricing options from Sanctuary. As a person that has benefitted from scholarships in wellness spaces myself, I know the power that these services can bring to us in our daily lives. I will always continue to work towards offering yoga at a price point that is accessible, and appreciate the work Sanctuary is doing.

LUCE Fundraiser Pins & Magnets

My friend Flynn is a queer potter in Western Mass raising money for LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts. With each donation to LUCE, you have the option of a F*CK ICE ceramic magnet or pin. Flynn is offering this fundraiser with the hope that by supporting LUCE, we keep the fight going for the dignity and safety of all immigrants in the United States. It is clear that we need this more than ever these days. Pre-order sign up link is here, and see below for a reference image!

Current Offerings

Every Thursday | 7pm - 8pm Queer & Trans Yoga at Sanctuary - Sliding scale pricing starting at $5.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays | 6pm - 7:15pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 16 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sunday March 15 | 11am - 12pm Gentle Yoga at Greenspace Cowork - limited to 10 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

February 28, April 18, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath. Scholarships available.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

12 to 12 — Sombr

This song plays in my head on a loop right now. I listen to it when I wake up, when I shower, when I’m in the car, and I CAN’T GET IT OUT. This 20 year old bb has a chokehold on my brain space right now.

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): beautiful new chrome heart tattoo from Audrey Elizabeth Tattoo, my favorite food on earth - spicy cucumber salad from T.ROOTS, bedhead selfie, mornings fueled by avocado toast + lattes + Bravo, Felix looking sleepy, flowers on the altar at Sanctuary.

I’ve been having friends over for coffee, am teaching more yoga, am spending time dancing by myself (more on this later!), and am becoming part of a very sweet gym community. Self-care is no longer just something that costs money, but when I do want to spend on something, it feels important to put money back into my community more thoughtfully this year.

I’ve started regularly making myself breakfast and a coffee each morning before getting started on work. Sometimes I have to remind myself that this is what I wished so hard for. Self-employment allows me the luxury of slowing down and moving at a pace that works for me. To not give myself the time to do these things each morning is truly a disservice.

For Christmas this year, our espresso setup was completely upgraded. We found a local coffee roaster that we loved (shout out YUP Coffee Roasters), and Cam taught me how to use the machine to pull some pretty impressive espresso shots. The ritual begins as you measure out the beans and continue to move through the whole process to get a quality product. It’s so gratifying.

Once I’ve got my finished shots, I want my latte to be the best and most flavorful possible, so I’m happily back to drinking full fat milk. This might not seem so radical to you, but as a girl with diet culture history who used to use strictly skim milk, this is a maaaaaajor body love win. Drinking the whole milk latte and getting to actually enjoy it is a pleasure that I will never again take for granted.

I’m also finding a better balance with social media and my phone. It feels so important to be informed in this moment, and I know that I can’t look away from what’s happening. I have a better understanding of when it all becomes too much for my lil brain, and that has been a good way for me to check in and make sure I care for myself.

Now more than ever, I want you to spend time thinking about what is most important to you. Let that motivate you to stay safe and to continue to fight for human rights from Minnesota to Palestine. We cannot be complicit while fascism is very obviously in our communities. They may not be coming for you right now, but be sure that they will, and they show no mercy.

Current Offerings

Every Thursday | 7pm - 8pm Queer & Trans Yoga at Sanctuary Sliding scale pricing starting at $5.

Tuesday February 10 & 24 | 6pm - 7:15pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 15 spots. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10.

Sunday February 15 | 11am - 12pm Gentle Yoga at Greenspace Cowork - I need 5 students to run this offering each month, so if you’re interested please be sure to sign up!

February 28, April 18, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

If U Need It — Sammy Virji

Aperture — Harry Styles

Thinking About You — Calvin Harris ft. Ayah Marar

Good Life — Inner City

Dance music has been an absolute MUST for me right now. I’m spending at least 15 minutes a day dancing. Whether it’s in my living room, while I’m putting away laundry, or in the car, I have been finding a lot of comfort in upbeat, electronic music. I’ve always enjoyed dancing, but there is something different about doing it alone - the phrase “dance like no one’s watching” actually means something. Set a timer for 15 minutes, play some music and see what happens. Maybe make a playlist of your favorite upbeat/dance songs so it’s ready whenever you need it (this is what I did!)

I’m hoping for more sober dance parties in 2026. I think it would do wonders to be together in community, dancing along to good music and taking breaks to connect with one another. If you’re interested in something like this, let me know and maybe we can actually make this happen!!

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch streaming platforms (source):

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

• They “stopped” running ICE recruitment ads, when in actuality the DHS just didn’t renew the contract 🤡

• Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): personality pic, non-alcoholic drinks from Green Room Northampton’s new NA menu, hot pot in Springfield to celebrate Chelsea’s birthday, socks that make me smile, new back squat PR - she was HEAVY, preordered the new Game Changers book because I’m an addict.

I’ve always struggled with resolutions and the expectations behind them. Especially as I have learned to love myself and my body more, resolutions just don’t seem to serve me anymore. I think they forced me to set unfair expectations on myself, and ultimately were not things that I wanted, but rather were the societal pressures to be smaller, quieter, etc. In 2026, I want to actually enjoy my life, and so I hope to remove negative self talk from my dialogue and to focus on the importance of real connection.

As a woman who has been fed diet culture narratives her whole life and because of that has a complicated relationship with food, I’m making some really conscious efforts to remove these things in 2026. GLP-1 ads are constantly on my social media feed and even on the streaming services I’m using. Whenever those show up, I mark the ad as “irrelevant” to try to remove them from my algorithm.

The “New Year, New Me” crowd is welcome, and I will always support people who want to better themselves. It’s just important to make sure that we are doing it for our wellbeing, and not to fit into a smaller version of ourselves. The smaller we are, the harder it becomes to fight. And right now, we need to FIGHT HARD to make sure that we resist fascism. We do this by making sure that we care for ourselves (before burnout), care for others in our communities, and find joy in little moments. This means that we need to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable or we are tired. The time is now to make sure that you have real people around you when it all comes crashing down.

All this to say, I prefer to use a new year timeline where I thaw out with the rest of the world. The Spring Equinox, a reminder that our days become longer and there is more daylight coming, is when I plan to really celebrate the new year. We endured the darkness of the Winter since the Solstice, and we came out on the other side with a reminder that we can endure hard things. Keep going, I’m so happy you’re here!

Current Offerings

Every Thursday | 7pm - 8pm Queer & Trans Yoga at Sanctuary - this is an affinity space for members of the community only at this time. Sliding scale pricing starting at $5.

Tuesday January 13 & 27th | 6pm - 7:15pm Queer & Trans Yoga at 50 Arrow Gallery - limited to 15 spots at this time. Sliding scale pricing starting at $10. Jan 13 has very few spots remaining!

January 18 | 11am - 12pm Gentle Yoga at Greenspace Cowork - This currently has only 2 sign ups :/ I need 5 students to run this offering each month.

February 28, April 18, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

girl, get up. — Doechii & SZA

Using this song as a reminder to get the hell up and out of my house this Winter!! Working fully remote is a blessing for my neurodivergent brain, but I need to be better about making sure that I don’t stay in my pajamas all day multiple times a week :/ I feel like every time I leave the house I spend $20, so would love some suggestions on ways to not to that. With a smaller consulting client load, I’m spending more time doing things I want to do and one of those is discovering new music.

Cue girl, get up. by Doechii & SZA. This song is playing in my head rent-free lately. I have always been a lyrics girly, so I absolutely love everything about all three minutes of this song. Doechii raps about her experience as an artist and how every success is torn apart by the media and society as a woman of color in the music industry.

I love that this song is all about persevering and facing your challenges and giving your haters a big, fat middle finger (I also absolutely love a SZA feature). I could let the fact that I have less hours of consulting work right now drag me down but I refuse to do that. Less of those negative, self-sabotaging thoughts & behaviors in 2026.

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch (source):

• They have been running ICE recruitment ads and when confronted about it they stood their ground and defended their decision.

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

I’ve had a Spotify account since 2013, so I was stressed about having to transfer over all my playlists. Luckily services like Soundiiz exist and it took maybe 30 minutes to get everything from one platform to the other.

I’m now using Qobuz, which I like so far! The interface takes a little time to get used to, but is generally just like Spotify and I haven’t noticed any issues. Also, the audio quality is SO MUCH BETTER than Spotify. Qobuz is one of the few platforms that has both great business practices and pays the artists that host their music there well. Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

Description (from top left, clockwise): Morning cuddle time with Felix, Winter Solstice fire pit with friends, still from a video game we discovered & finished over the holiday break called “Thank Goodness You’re Here”, me & my baby on Christmas Eve with my family, Treehouse vodka sauce pizza is my kryptonite, a moment of peace before some weighted hip thrusts at the gym.

Hi!!!!

It’s taken me a really long time to figure out how I wanted to share more about my life in a space outside of social media. I’ve been looking for a way to intentionally connect with community and make sure that I stay in touch during these dark times. If you’ve met with me over the last few weeks, you’ve probably heard me say a time or two that this transition to Winter is really effecting me.

Working fully remote for the last year has taught me a lot about myself, and reminded me of those pieces of me that make it harder for me to do a “traditional” job, hence the reason for my switch to full time self-employment in the Spring of 2024. This second year of business I’m working through a recession, where I am learning to ensure that I’m protected as a self-employed person in the future.

Little shout out to the people who employ me right now as a contractor for their small businesses. I feel lucky to work alongside you and challenge capitalism daily. We deserve to have work-life balance. Our job should not be the most interesting thing about us. Human Resources doesn’t have to be scary - I promise!

All this to say, managing both my yoga and consulting businesses has been both a challenge and a blessing. I feel so lucky to get to hold space in this time. Especially affinity spaces within my community, for queer & trans folks. With plenty going on, I hope to share more with you about what I’m up to here. Personally, professionally, ways to see me or hang out if that’s the vibe. What I’m listening to and some photo dumps of what I’ve been up to. Less structure will hold me more accountable - so we will shall see!

Inhale the Imagery

I can’t give myself credit for completely coming up with the title of this Substack. The phrase ‘inhale the imagery’ was first introduced to me by a piece of art (some would call it graffiti) that I saw at the beach growing up. My friends and I were on one of our usual drives around town with nothing else to do, so we went to the beach and sat under the stars, listening to the waves and talking. When we arrived to the few parking spots in front of a seawall in our usual spot, I noticed that someone had spray painted ‘INHALE THE IMAGERY’ directly onto the wall in front of the ocean view. I immediately told my friends how cool I thought that was. We were in high school, so they thought I was weird and we moved on.

This continued to be my usual spot throughout high school and college. Obviously, the town felt the need to paint over this art many years ago but the phrase has stuck with me. I think of ‘inhale the imagery’ as an opportunity to ensure that you’re taking time to deeply absorb and experience the things around you.

I’ve been looking everywhere for a photo and I know it exists somewhere - I’m going to look at my old hard drive and see if I can find it (cross your fingers!!!) Please instead see the picture from Google Maps depicting the view so you can understand why I love this spot so much. What a perfect place to do it - in front of the ocean (I am a Pisces after all!)

I circled the spot where ‘INHALE THE IMAGERY’ used to be on the sea wall. How gorg of a view!?

Why this, why now

(Stole this title from the template but I love it, and feels like a good way to share this piece)

In this dark time, it feels so important to speak up and out about the injustices happening in the world. Since labeling myself online as a queer & fat yoga teacher, I’ve noticed a steady decline in engagement on my social media platforms. I hold so much privilege, especially as a white cis-woman. If I’m being censored imagine how marginalized identities are surviving and sharing their small, local, businesses with the rest of the world.

This Substack is my chance to change the need for social media over time, since I do think we need alternative ways to be in community! Please use this as a space to connect and l’m open to any and all feedback you have to make this a better experience as a reader.

Current Offerings

Every Thursday | 7pm - 8pm Queer & Trans Yoga at Sanctuary - this is an affinity space for members of the community only at this time. Sliding scale pricing starting at $5. (Last class of the year - this Thursday 12/11)

January 18 | 11am - 12pm Gentle Yoga at Greenspace Cowork - this offering will be every month on the third Sunday!

February 28, April 18, May 10 | 12pm - 1:30pm Yoga & Sound at Sanctuary - a workshop featuring yoga asana, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Sign Up Here!

What I’m listening to

ALBUM — Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams

This came out in August, but I am still listening to the album front to back. I have never once won a Ticketmaster ticket battle until this one and I would like to thank the Etsy Witch who cast a Good Luck spell for me. I’m so excited to see HW in April and sing and cry and dance.

PSA

This is your reminder that Spotify is a piece of shit!!! Some reasons why you should switch (source):

• They have been running ICE recruitment ads and when confronted about it they stood their ground and defended their decision.

• The CEO has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in an AI weapons firm.

• They donated $150,000 to Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

• They’re creating AI artists and sneaking them into your playlists without disclosure.

I’ve had a Spotify account since 2013, so I was stressed about having to transfer over all my playlists. Luckily services like Soundiiz exist and it took maybe 30 minutes to get everything from one platform to the other.

I’m now using Qobuz, which I like so far! The interface takes a little time to get used to, but is generally just like Spotify and I haven’t noticed any issues. Also, the audio quality is SO MUCH BETTER than Spotify. Qobuz is one of the few platforms that has both great business practices and pays the artists that host their music there well. Spotify doesn’t pay artists per stream, but instead gives that money right to labels. Yuck!

Photo Dump

From top left, clockwise: my magic trick where I pick up a completed puzzle, Felix using my body as a bed on a snow day, mirror selfie to prove I left the house during the holidays in real pants, beautiful foliage in Childs Park on our wedding day (10/31/25), by our sweet friend Oliver Scott Snure.