Hawaiian Healing Yoga

04/10/2026

Aloha Friday tips from our little helper, Kokua!

Did you know that time spent with our pets has been shown to release stress and reduce cortisol. Combine this with a little yoga/meditation, sunlight, and walking, and you have a recipe for a longer, more relaxed life!

Here are some great food tips and lifestyle routines to also add to your holistic toolbox! Namaste🧘🏻‍♀️🌴

Foods That Reduce Cortisol
1. Celery Juice – A natural adrenal tonic that helps soothe the nervous system and hydrate the body deeply.
2. Wild Blueberries – Rich in antioxidants that help repair stress damage and calm inflammation.
3. Avocados – Healthy fats support brain function and hormone balance.
4. Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Chard) – High in magnesium, which helps relax the body and lower stress.
5. Pumpkin Seeds & Sunflower Seeds – Contain zinc and magnesium, which support adrenal health.
6. Bananas – Contain tryptophan and potassium, which help regulate mood and stress.
7. Coconut Water – Hydrating and full of electrolytes that calm the nervous system.
8. Chia Seeds & Flaxseeds – Good sources of omega-3s, which reduce inflammation and support hormone balance.
9. Chamomile & Lemon Balm Tea – Both herbs are powerful for calming the nervous system and lowering stress hormones.
10. Raw Honey – Contains enzymes and minerals that nourish the adrenal glands.

Herbs & Supplements for Cortisol Balance
• Ashwagandha – Adaptogenic herb that helps the body adapt to stress and lower cortisol levels.
• Rhodiola – Supports adrenal function and reduces fatigue from stress.
• Holy Basil (Tulsi) – Helps regulate cortisol and balance blood sugar.
• Licorice Root (if blood pressure is normal) – Supports adrenal glands and prevents cortisol crashes.
• Magnesium (Glycinate or Citrate) – Crucial for relaxation and reducing cortisol spikes.
• Vitamin C – Helps regulate cortisol and reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Cortisol
• Deep Breathing & Meditation – Activates the parasympathetic nervous system to lower stress hormones.
• Daily Sun Exposure – Helps regulate circadian rhythms and reduce cortisol overproduction.
• Good Sleep Routine – Avoid blue light at night and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep.
• Gentle Movement – Walking, yoga, and stretching instead of high-intensity workouts when cortisol is high.
• Epsom Salt Baths – Magnesium absorption through the skin helps relax muscles and lower stress.

By incorporating these foods, herbs, and habits, cortisol levels can naturally regulate, helping with better energy, mood, and overall health.

04/04/2026

Soul sabbatical update😌🌿
We are now a few months in to our time off from retreats, trainings and classes. We do miss our time on the mat with our guests and students, but it’s been nice to have time to complete some big projects on property. We’ve been expanding our homestead endeavors, adding more fruit trees and learning organic permaculture. Our greenhouse is a little sanctuary where I spend a lot of time writing and reflecting as I watch little seedlings sprout in the warmth of the morning sun. We are also building an art studio space that I’ve dreamt of for years, and we are both excited to explore our creativity.

Social media is a funny place, because even though it does provide a way to stay connected and share with one another, it also adds a kind of pressure to ‘create content’ on a regular basis. I believe our attention span has been diminished as we keep chasing the next reel, the next meme, the next headline. Our depth is made shallow by algorithms of quotes and a never ending feed of pictures.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the positive creativity that can be shared. I love seeing our friends and fellow yogis and creatives thrive. I love the ability to uplift and inspire others! I’m simply at a time on my journey where I’m questioning what comes next, and why.

I’ve never been afraid of change, and as I (we) move into this next chapter, I want to make sure we are staying aligned to the authentic calling of our souls. To me, that is success!

So, if you are feeling the need to take a break from the world, and simply allow yourself ‘to be’, go ahead and gift yourself the time to unplug. We’ve had to say no to a lot of requests lately in order to get truly quiet within our own embodied truth. It’s ok to make decisions that not everyone understands. It’s ok to follow the call of your inner alignment!🤍

So we may not be on here daily, or even weekly, but what we do share is from the heart. And, in the in between, we are sending love and wishing you deep peace and joy.

I came across this writing and felt it applied to this time of soul sabbatical. I hope you like it, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Namaste beautiful souls.🌟
Stacey & (Dan)

Copied:
For so long, I tried to make my waves smaller, my currents less forceful, thinking my depth was too much for the surface. I looked for permission to just... be.

But the ocean taught me a quiet, absolute truth. It doesn't apologize for its trenches, its darkness, or the power of its tides. Neither will I.

My depth isn't a flaw; it's my source. I'm finally coming home to the vastness of who I am, without seeking validation from the shore.
Author unknown

03/22/2026

Sending prayers and love to all families affected by the floods. Please stay safe, everyone.🙏🏼🌧️

🌺To everyone who has reached out, checked in, and kept Hawaiʻi in your thoughts… thank you.❤️

The flooding across Oʻahu—especially in the North Shore communities—and Maui has impacted countless families and businesses. They’ll need all the support they can get in the days and months ahead.

Thank you for standing with Hawaiʻi, even from miles away! 🌺🤙🏼❤️

03/13/2026

Mahalo, Lilias🌺 A hui hou, beautiful soul! We learned some of our best neck/shoulder releases from you.☺️🧘🏻‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️

I remember even as a child watching her show, in full length leotard, mimicking her postures. Who would have guessed yoga would become such a foundation to my life and career. What I love about modern yoga and teaching classes is we’re all just helping each other stretch, relax and breathe. As Ram Dass says, we’re all just walking each other home.🙏🏼🤍

Longtime yoga teacher Lilias Folan, who introduced thousands to the practice through her long-running PBS TV show, passed away on March 9, 2026.

Lilias, 𝘠𝘰𝘨𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶 was one of the most successful programs in PBS history, making yoga accessible decades before at-home practice became common.

She’s remembered for her approachable teaching style, clear instructions, and ability to make an ancient practice feel relevant to contemporary life in the 1970s, when yoga felt out of reach for many Americans. Her lessons will long be appreciated.

Read an interview with Folan from 2023 at the link in comments.

🌿
📸 Denver Post Archives

02/16/2026

I feel the times we are in require a little more stillness, a little more reflection, and a little more grace. We can’t possibly know how everything unfolds, but we can be deliberate in our own practice of meditation, prayer, or affirmation. The collective needs our calm, courage and aloha right now. Know that your energy matters and how you show up in your small circles can make a difference. Stay aligned, prioritize your fitness and mental health. You are loved!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

02/06/2026

Aloha beautiful souls✨as many of you know, Dan & I are taking a sabbatical from retreats and trainings this year. After so many years of teaching and sharing, it’s time for an internal shift to reflect on all we’ve learned.🌴

So how is it going? I can say that our mornings have been slow and intentional. We practice vipassana while savoring our matcha lattes, and ease into a gentle stretch practice to start our day.🧘🏻‍♀️

We are enjoying a lot of garden and greenhouse time; tending to the earth and detoxing from constant digital streaming has been so refreshing. We’re taking a break from socializing and traveling as well, keeping our energies focused on solitude and inner reflection.🤍

We are very aware of what’s going on in the world but have chosen to dedicate our daily practices to a vision of truth and awakening for all of humanity. The collective shadow is being exposed and we must have the courage to desire truth over comfort. Meditation is an invaluable tool for all of us in these challenging times.😌

Sometimes, the best we can do is align our faith to the little daily tasks and the gratitude we have for the land beneath our feet and the breath in our lungs. As many sages have said, ‘chop wood and carry water’, this has been the foundation of our spiritual practice.🌿

Sending love & hugs to you all. So many of you have reached out to wish us the best this year, and we appreciate that.🙏🏼🤗

02/04/2026

Gratitude multiplies your mana.🤍