Taking yoga teacher Marianne Elliott’s class at The Creative Joy Retreat this summer wasn’t just a good workout. It was restorative and energizing. It was equal parts gentle and challenging. And, most importantly, it was a lesson in self-love.

That’s because Marianne encourages her students to connect to our bodies — and ourselves — and practice self-compassion. There was no pounding the yoga mat or forcing our bodies into poses. It was about experimenting and having fun.

I love Marianne’s emphasis on tuning into our needs and values, both on and off the mat. I love her emphasis on practicing yoga for all shapes and sizes.

Read the full entry… »