I am in a season of change, in the thick of an ending and on the cusp of a new beginning. Nature reflects this same season. The leaves turned shades of brown, red, orange, and yellow, and then the trees let go. On the forest floor they all have gathered and the vibrant hues collectively faded to muted browns and grays. This newly laid bed of leaves will be the fertile ground where in a few months new life will spring forth. As I navigate life’s complexities, I find comfort in turning towards nature’s wisdom. 

In the fast-paced world we inhabit, managing our energy has become more crucial than ever. The ancient Yogic principle of brahmacharya offers profound insights into this modern challenge, providing a holistic approach to energy management, conservation, and direction.

At its core, brahmacharya is about mindful energy management – the conscious direction of vital life force, known as prana, towards our highest goals and purpose. Practicing brahmacharya means being aware of where we invest our energy, which include mental, emotional, and physical resources. The teaching available within this precept is about recognizing that our energy is valuable, subtle, and finite - and choosing wisely how we spend it.

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, our bodies naturally begin to crave warmth and nourishment. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers timeless wisdom for aligning our diets with the changing seasons. This fall, explore how to nurture health through Ayurvedic nutrition.

Yogic action requires the cultivation of three important practices: enthusiasm, self-awareness, and humility. I like to think of these practices and their qualities as three legs of a stool. The three legged stool of yogic action is an exercise in balance. The relationship each of the legs maintains with one another is essential for the stability and function of the stool. Similarly, successful yogic action requires its three legs of enthusiasm, self-awareness, and humility to remain harmonized with each other. To be on the path of yoga means much, much more than shape-making on the mat. It requires informed and well-intended action outlined by its three legs.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my future. For several decades, I’ve made a career out of storytelling and training future storytellers, and just as my relationship with that career was shifting, I found myself drawn more deeply into yoga and away from storytelling. I didn’t understand why I was suddenly pulled away from the career I loved and toward something new, but I knew something was off.

I can see the broad connection between the two practices – the transformative ability of both theatre and yoga, but the personal transformation I would experience during yoga teacher training would be an entirely different type of transformation. The clarity in what yoga is and learning to truly live my yoga, would change everything. The journey began for me when I was introduced to the Yamas and Niyamas, yoga’s ethical practice and the framework to live a more meaningful and purposeful life, much like the character’s lives in the stories I had so carefully crafted and shared.

Embarking on a yoga retreat offers a myriad of benefits for individuals seeking to unwind, rejuvenate, and enhance their overall well-being. Here are some compelling reasons why going on a yoga retreat can be a transformative experience.

When I was first exposed to yoga many years ago, it was through an asana class. At that time, much of my energy was consumed by my restless mind and turbulent emotions, to the point that I had disconnected from sensation in my body. With each practice, I noticed gradual but significant changes in my mind, heart, and body. By simply moving slowly and deliberately on a mat for a little over an hour each week, I was unknowingly learning the twin skills of self-observation and self-awareness. As I witnessed my life and relationships transform over time, I wondered often: how could such a straightforward practice have such a profound impact?

This simple inquiry fueled my quest for learning more about the origins and history of yoga. To my very pleasant surprise, I discovered many enriching teachings from this ancient, time-tested wisdom practice, of which the most dear to my heart was morning sadhana. Sadhana is a Sanskrit term referring to a daily spiritual practice that uses various practices, such as asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, reading sacred literature, or self-reflection to facilitate an inward turn and a greater awareness of the inner landscape. The purpose of sadhana is to support clarity in the mind and consciousness, which paves the way for connection with infinity within.

There are various paths to becoming a mother… but, no matter how this season opens in life, certain things are true: the decision to become a mother and the early stages of new parenthood move slowly, and then the changes, both inner and outer, happen so suddenly. The heart grows bigger, beyond imagination, and the entire world shifts into these two tiny eyes staring back. So many complex emotions are present all at once, from unconditional love and joy, to shock, fear, and pure exhaustion. The days blend with the nights, and the tireless, neverending responsibilities of nurturing and keeping another human alive become the topmost priority, eventually evolving into tiny, rewarding moments of joy. The choice has been made and the commitment sealed to give everything - time, energy, money, attention - to nurture this child and your unique relationship with all of your being.

Celebrating the earth is a very sacred and loving task, and mindfulness is the ability to be present and engaged on the task at hand without the distraction of thought. With a mindful approach, gardening can be very beneficial to the gardener and the land. It removes the distraction of devices and screens, reduces stress, and reconnects us with the earth by invoking presence. Gardening encourages the art of noticing, especially through a literal grounding into the environment. Many lessons can be learned by gardening or simply being outdoors and in touch with nature.

Embarking on the journey to become a yoga teacher is a big step. It's not just about learning poses; it's also about understanding how the body works. That's where anatomy and physiology come in. These subjects are like the building blocks of teaching yoga safely.

At our 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher training program in St. Louis, we focus on making anatomy and physiology easy to understand. We believe knowing how the body moves and functions is crucial for guiding students well. Let's dive into what these mean for teaching yoga.

During the winter season, we sometimes find ourselves caught in a routine rut, going through the motions to check the basics off to-do lists while trying to maintain warmth and comfort by staying in. While routines are functional and effective for completing tasks, they can feel habitual, mundane, and uneventful. But, they don’t have to be - adding a layer of intentionality can elevate routine to ritual.

Embarking on a Buti Yoga journey can be thrilling and daunting, especially for beginners. As you step onto the mat for the first time, it's normal to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But fear not! With the right guidance and mindset, you can ease into this transformative practice with confidence and joy.

In this blog, we will explore valuable tips and tricks tailored specifically for those just starting their Buti Yoga journey. Whether you're brand new to yoga or transitioning from another style, these insights will help you navigate the initial stages of your practice.

Since young adulthood, I have had a deep interest in interpersonal relationships, and more specifically, the impact of communication within them. Discovering Nonviolent Communication, also known as NVC or Compassionate Communication, was a game changer for me. This modality of speech provided a structure for my thought process that brought comfort to my mind and heart, helping me be at peace with life’s many moments of mystery and not-knowing. The process and practice of NVC also supported me in facing and embracing my shortcomings with self-empathy, rather than self-criticism. Developing the skill of connecting with and accompanying myself directly corresponded to growing the ability to more effectively negotiate with life.

A new year typically brings about a variety of thoughts and emotions, but one that has remained consistent is the concept of resolutions. Many of us create checklists for our annual goals and resolve to do, or not do, certain activities starting at the beginning of the year :  wake up earlier, spend more time with loved ones, or do more yoga,  just to name a few.

If you have ever committed to any New Year’s resolutions, you may have found yourself struggling to recommit to those goals at different points in the year.

In January of 2015, as a gift to myself, I attended an 11-day spiritual adventure throughout North India. Having traveled to this spectacular land of my ancestors many times before, I was anticipating an extraordinary experience, but in reality, I was quite unprepared for the depth of my inner journey throughout the adventure.

For everyone eager for a bit more quiet and calm as the pace of this time of year picks up, consider cultivating a mindfulness and meditation practice - it’s easier than you think!

Contrary to popular belief, you are not required to sit alone in silence on a meditation cushion on the floor in order to practice mindfulness. Nor are you required to stop your thoughts and empty your mind. Meditation simply supports decluttering the mind by noticing all the clutter already in there. In this way, mindfulness isn’t about not having thoughts - it’s about noticing your thoughts.

At Jane’s House Studio in Saint Charles, we offer many opportunities to learn about and practice Ayurveda, specifically to support the changes that arise with the seasons. One of the most fundamental principles of Ayurvedic science is the five elements, which include space, air, fire, water, and earth. These five elements then combine into three basic energies, called doshas, which exist in all matter. The three doshas are vata (space + air), pitta (fire + water), and kapha(water + earth.) The doshas are most observable in nature, and Ayurveda sees autumn as vata season because the fall is dry, light, cold, rough, windy, and empty, especially as trees drop their leaves.

Jane's House Studio offers prenatal yoga classes in Saint Charles, Missouri. Prenatal yoga is specifically designed to help maintain strength and flexibility to support your growing baby. This is a beautiful time of life, but can come with challenges. When we share, it divides the challenges and multiplies the joy! By maintaining good strength and flexibility, routine tasks can feel easier.

Jane’s House Studio in Saint Charles opened in January 2002, with a sincere mission of serving others and leading them to a more holistic way of living. Our beloved space has had a strong heartbeat and breath ever since.

Over the past two decades, our founder, Robin, has had the great privilege to train with many teachers, beginning with Ayurveda studies, formal Yoga training, and most recently, certification with the International Association of Yoga Therapists, as well as becoming a Certified Reflexologist. Her innate passion for both learning and teaching developed organically into a passion for training teachers, and in 2005, just three years after opening its doors, Jane’s House also became a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance, and we offered our very first 200hr Yoga Teacher Training.

Ayurveda is a system of healing from India that uses nature as medicine, both preventatively and curatively. It focuses on diet, herbal therapies, bodywork, and lifestyle to create conditions for optimal health. Ayurveda is personalized medicine, meaning that it uses a person’s unique story and history to create a specialized path and plan for healing. At Jane’s House Studio in Saint Charles, we offer many opportunities to learn about and practice Ayurveda, specifically to support the changes that arise with the seasons.