Jess G Yoga

09/24/2025

What does labyrinth walking have to do with yoga?
NEW BLOG POST IS UP!

"Earlier this month I went to walk the labyrinth at The First Presbyterian Church of Austin. I remember my mind was incredibly busy that day. My thoughts were just spinning around and jumping from topic to topic with zero direction. As I stepped into the labyrinth and began my journey towards the center, I patiently waited for my mind to settle.

And I waited.
And waited.
And less patiently waited.

Eventually I realized that the dull roar in my mind was just going to stay there. I couldn’t force it to quiet down. So I let it go. I paid attention to my steps and let the mental noise continue.

As I got closer to the center, two questions and answers cut through like a fog horn..."

Read more about my little Socratic method moment in the labyrinth, and what yoga and labyrinths have in common on my blog page ✍️

www.jessgoulding.com/blog

First Presbyterian Church of Austin

09/17/2025

The New York Times mini-crossword has been teaching me more than vocabulary.

It showed me how easily my mind locks into what I think is right:
“Of course the answer is ‘fresh!’ What else could it be?”
…until I see that the real answer is novel.

That little puzzle has become a mirror for life. In yoga, in midlife, even in how I relate to my own body—I notice how easy it is to stay stuck in “expert mind.” But what happens when we step into “beginner’s mind” instead?

Curiosity opens the door to new possibilities. Instead of assuming, we ask. Instead of tightening, we expand.

I wrote more about this in my latest blog post: A Novel Approach to Crosswords and Life. I’d love for you to read it and maybe share your own reflections.

👉 Read here: www.jessgoulding.com/blog/crosswords

The New York Times

09/11/2025

Today I'm thinking about how to engage with the headlines and social media, and my wisdom is telling me: Don't engage, unless it's loving. Wait. Breathe. Reach out to my friends and family who are mourning, and share your condolences. Let them have time. That's what I would want. What would you want?

09/09/2025

A big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined me and other yoga studios for Free Day of Yoga. It was a great success, lots of yoga was shared and enjoyed, and the community vibe was high. Mark your calendar for next year: Monday, September 7, 2026!

I created a YouTube playlist of the classes I offered, so until then, take your own little FDOY at home :)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCeXfvXhjlaKs6TQyMKieDoTTCg5b7s4-

Austin Free Day of Yoga

I have five classes lined up to bring you back on your mat and getting ready for the season. ☀️ Start the day with Practice Through: Yoga Tools for Challengi...

08/28/2025

It's less than a week away! It's my favorite yoga day of the year. Many of you have said yes and signed up for classes at Free Day of Yoga. Several of you are doing ALL the classes and treating this Labor Day like an at-home retreat. I love this idea! And I support your desire.

Quite honestly, I am planning these practices and scheduling them through the day as if you are attending all five. There is a definite flow to the class sequence...

🕣 We start with some gentle application of Therapeutic Yoga at 8:30AM Central with Practice Through. 🙏

🕙 🕧 Then we move into more challenging asana sequences with 10AM Release and Reframe Hatha class and 12:30PM Chakra Savvy™ Yoga Flow. 🤸🏽‍♀️

🕒 After all that physicality and getting the ya-ya's out, we'll be ready to settle down for my introduction to the spiritual practice of Labyrinth Tracing with Pilgrimage to the Heart at 3PM. 🌀

🕡 Finally, it will be time to settle down and assimilate a full day of yoga, meditation, breath, intention, and exploration with 20 Minute Yoga to Finish Your Day at 6:30PM. 🥱


If the whole day calls out to you, YAY!! Let's do the day together. If just some pique your interest and you'd like to tune in and tune out, there's room for that as well. My invitation is for you to visit my website, read through the descriptions of each class and notice how you feel. Do the ones that light you up!

So just pause, take a breath, and ask your Wise Self: What do I need these days? I just know there's something in this lineup that will scratch that itch and fulfill that need. I can't wait to see you on the mat!

May you make room for steady yoga in your life, may you explore new experiences, and may you light up your body, mind, and spirit with movement, breath, intention, and ease.

Much love

08/26/2025

🎧 Listen again: What is Free Day of Yoga?

This interview with Charles MacInerny, one of the founders of Free Day of Yoga, remains one of my favorite episodes. Listen to his story of how this Austin tradition came to be, and get excited to be part of it!

Listen or Watch on my FDOY page

🔎 Search Jess on the Mountain Episode 43 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Then participate in Free Day of Yoga online or in-person on September 1, 2025! You will be part of something very very special ❤️

Texas Yoga Retreat

05/06/2025

NEW BLOG POST: Signing Off...For a Bit

It's that time of year, and life, again. But this time it's even worse. This era is coming to an end...

Last year around this time I realized I needed to step back from my to-do list and step fully into the transition taking place: Nate was graduating high school. It was a happy-sad time of letting go and launching our oldest bird from the nest. (Remember the blog post "Maternity Leave for Graduation?")


After he was settled in his new life at school, things settled into a new normal, and my blogging, podcasting, teaching, coaching, and retreats returned full force. This has been an exciting year of yoga and intentional living for us all!


And here we are again, but now it's Havia's turn to fly, and that's it for this nest. (Our dog Lila just said, "Excuse ME?") And I'm just as emotional, or more, than last year. I'm happy-sad all over the place!


And when my emotions run high, my creativity runs low. (This is very chakra two, by the way.)


I will happily continue teaching in Online Yoga Membership, and working one-on-one with Yoga Therapy and Whole Life Alignment. (One of my coaching clients recently graduated, so I have an opening for a new client there if you're interested! Summer is a great time for this program.) I'm just tapped out for blogs and podcasts. Gotta refill the well!


Plus, I feel more change is coming. Exciting things, I hope!


I know I'm not the only one out here experiencing life and death simultaneously. As I told this morning's class, that's what we do in yoga. We bring opposites together, like sukha and sthira (effort and ease) and Ha-tha (sun-moon). So happy-sad, joy-grief is right up there.


Thank you so much for reading my blogs and listening to my podcasts and doing life with me through the years. Whether you're still regularly on the mat, or your yoga has evolved into something different, I'm so glad to be on this path with you. Let's continue to travel this journey together for the happy times, the sad times, and all the in-between times.

Much love
❤️

04/25/2025

Just in time 🙏 Who's in???

04/08/2025

🌿 Today, I’m going a little old-school. In my first podcast, Ready Get Centered Go, I shared the dharma talks that opened my public yoga classes. Today, I’m bringing that back with a heartfelt message about fear, confusion, and how we can respond with presence, hope, and purposeful action. 🌟🧘‍♀️

💚 You’ll also hear a real intro from one of my Online Yoga Membership (OYM) classes called "Planting Seeds of Hope." This class was created in response to the unsettling energy in the world—politically, socially, and energetically. When things feel chaotic, staying rooted and uplifted becomes even more important. 🙏💫

🌱 Spring is the season of planting seeds, so I invite you to reflect: What seeds will you plant today that symbolize hope for tomorrow? 💚🌸

🎧 Tune in to the full episode via the link in the comments or wherever you get your podcasts!

04/03/2025

🌿 Your Intentions Shape Your Life—Are You Setting Them Right?

The Texas bluebonnets are blooming, and just like nature, you have the power to grow into your deepest desires. But here’s the thing—not all intentions are created equal. Want to craft an intention that actually sticks and transforms your life? 💫

In my latest blog, I’m sharing:
✨ The secret to unlocking your true heart’s desire
✨ A simple breath-based method to make your intention powerful and lasting
✨ The 4 key elements of a strong Sankalpa (Hint: It’s all about presence and clarity!)

PLUS: A simple tweak that turns your intention into a mantra—anchoring it deep within your being. 🌬✨

Ready to set your desires in motion? Dive into the full post now! ➡️ comments

04/01/2025

✨ Today I’m sharing what I’ve been uncovering about how to craft a strong, clear, and effective intention—one that your whole system understands and responds to.

🌀💡 It’s not just about setting a goal; it’s about shaping your identity.

🦋 I’ll guide you through a process that moves you out of your mind and into your body, helping you hear what your soul is truly asking for. 💭➡️💖

Then, I’ll show you how to shape that message into a potent sankalpa—succinct, present, and bold. 🎯📝

If you’ve ever felt like your intentions get lost in the noise 🎶🤯 or don’t quite take root 🌱, this episode is for you! Let’s refine your words, align them with your breath 🌬️, and watch them become your life! 🌟

🎧 Catch it on your favorite podcast platform! Subscribe and don't miss an episode 🙌

🌚 Join me for our next New Moon Intentions session on April 27—we’ll be diving into the heart chakra 💚, and it’s going to be a beautiful one. See you there! 🌙✨