radical self-inquiry

What Winter Solstice Means to Me

Every year around December 21st, the Universe exposes one of its greatest gifts – sunlight. This day marks the beginning of Winter which many associate as dreary, cold, cozy, and barren. This day is called Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year because it has the least amount of sunlight. If you’re a sun-loving spirit like me, this darkness can be startling. But if you know what’s actually happening on Winter Solstice, you may want to start celebrating it. Yes, this day is darkest of the year, but everyday after begins to gain more sunlight. It's like a rebirth. [...]

By |2016-12-13T17:06:04-08:00December 9th, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |0 Comments
Read More

How you end is how you begin 

  It’s hard to believe the year is almost over. Where does the time go? Before we know it, we’ll be shouting the countdown to a New Year. January 1 marks the beginning of the year while millions of people rush to begin again by setting resolutions that soon dissipate into thin air.   I’ve got a new plan for you.   Life is cyclical – the seasons are proof of this. So instead of hard starts and stops, let’s ever evolve into the beings we’re meant to be. If you want to see change, you must do the change [...]

By |2016-10-31T07:32:11-07:00October 30th, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |1 Comment
Read More

How to bring your chakras into harmony

by Belinda Pearl What does it mean to be in this body and in this life? Do you remember the true causal reason for being incarnated? There are many questions to contemplate when we think about life, and the many wondrous mechanisms that bring us to our fullness. And, possibly there are many, many more reasons and questions that will surface when contemplating the very reason we came to this Earth. The gist of the matter is that we are Spiritual Beings having a human experience. In order to remember the part that reminds us that we are "spiritual [...]

By |2018-05-15T08:44:35-07:00October 23rd, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |2 Comments
Read More

10 Ways to Get Unstuck

  Ever notice that some days you just feel a bit off? Maybe it’s the weather, work/home/relationship stress, a full moon or just because. We recognize the day is drab because the others surrounding it don’t feel this way – they feel, well, brighter. You may feel compelled to push the feeling aside or reside in its ugliness. I urge you to welcome the unsettledness of these far-and-few-between days. To me, these days can be a gift – making me grateful for the abundance of good days I do have. I don’t try to overcorrect the feeling or dwell either. [...]

By |2016-10-17T20:15:00-07:00October 18th, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |1 Comment
Read More

Getting RAW with Belinda Pearl

  Encinitas is known for yoga and its collection of diverse and stellar yoga teachers. One of them is Belinda Pearl. Belinda is an integral part of White Peacock Yoga Studio in Encinitas. She is a teacher, an adventurer, a child of the stars, and a great friend.   Much can be learned by the way Belinda arrives each day – with appreciation, joy and vigor. She is the definition of Real, Authentic Wisdom. You can tell so by her answers to our Q&A – How do you live RAW?   What is the first thing you do when you wake [...]

By |2018-05-01T23:05:49-07:00June 23rd, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |0 Comments
Read More

Channel your inner goddess

She is a goddess! In our contemporary culture, that is what we might say about an inspirational, powerful or beautiful woman. While this is a grand compliment, the origin of “Goddess” has ancient mythological roots whose tales have transcended cultures to give us powerful moral and practical messages – if we are ready to receive them.   Learning the stories and channeling the Goddess energies is empowering. When you get acquainted with the Goddess Archetypes, you begin to recognize which Goddess you most identify with and whose powers you are in the most need of.   At White Peacock Yoga [...]

By |2016-03-16T11:24:12-07:00March 17th, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |1 Comment
Read More

How to be a yoga teacher

Ready to Take a Bigger Step on the Yoga Path?   When we apply our own wisdom to everyday life, we experience deeper connections with our families and communities. One by one, our local families and communities form a network of love and unity. That’s why the inspired practice of yoga matters.   Often, that is why yoga students become yoga teachers – because they are so inspired they must share the gift with others. Have you thought about being a yoga teacher? A yoga teacher training is a great gift to yourself and your practice – whether you are [...]

By |2016-03-05T22:33:00-08:00March 6th, 2016|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |0 Comments
Read More

(Mostly) Stress-Free Blogging for Yogis

You’ve been thinking about blogging for a while. A looong while. You love the idea of writing, but when it comes to actually doing the writing, you hit a huge wall of inner resistance. I hear you. I’ve been there so many times. I know how it goes: it seems impossible to figure out what to write, let alone how to make the time for writing. Well, I’m here to report that blogging is indeed possible and mostly stress-free. So take a deep breath and let’s get started. First step: Generate a list of topics in advance, which will prevent [...]

By |2018-05-01T20:28:10-07:00August 5th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Practice Notes, Teacher Tips|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
Read More

Yoga is My Life Line

I remember my first few yoga classes. Back in those days, I initially believed yoga was just a series of pretzel-like poses I managed to put my body into. But then I started noticing how good I felt after class. My body was relaxed. I felt a sense of peace. I wondered: How did this yoga stuff work, exactly? Yoga helps me cultivate peace and harmony (OM!) Curious about my experiences, I began to look into this yoga business a little deeper. Almost instantly, I stumbled upon the major revelation that, wowee, yoga isn’t just about poses! It’s [...]

By |2015-10-05T20:40:51-07:00May 4th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Practice Notes|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
Read More

No Yoga Guru Here

I’ve wrestled with the idea of a yoga guru since the 1990s, when I was in my early 20s and just starting a yoga practice. I thought having a guru meant handing over all my reason, free will and decision-making processes to a teacher, a person just as fallible as any other human being—ludicrous! When I discovered that guru has other meanings like “venerable” and “respectable,” and that a guru is ultimately one who shines a bright light on our dark, I started getting interested. I read in the Upanishads that “gu” means darkness and “ru” means destroyer. I [...]

By |2018-05-14T15:41:52-07:00January 26th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Practice Notes|Tags: , , |0 Comments
Read More

Stay Inspired + Thrive in Your Practice

In developing a lifelong relationship with yoga, you’ll occasionally feel like you’re sinking in the yoga doldrums, where your practice becomes routine and dull. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about when that happens. It’s actually a really great sign that you’re ready to evolve your practice. Notice what lights you up and bow to your inner spark. As with any longterm relationship, remembering what first attracted you to yoga will pull you out of the slump and keep the flame alive. Here are the top 5 foundational reminders I’ve relied on to stay inspired and thriving in my practice for [...]

By |2018-06-09T09:46:35-07:00December 22nd, 2013|Categories: Blog, Practice Notes|Tags: , |0 Comments
Read More