01/19/2026
Got home from our road trip last night and went straight to Evolve to teach my morning classes — Vinyasa and Gentle Yoga. Before each class, I handed out paper and pens and asked students to write:
“Today is going to be my peaceful day,” and to practice with it beside them on their mat.
Venerable Pannakara spoke about this very phrase during his presentations — about peace beginning with us, and about the power of writing the mantra down.
Some of you know I felt called to travel from Michigan to Concord, North Carolina to witness the monks walking for peace. Coming home and sharing this moment felt like the most natural way to carry it forward. I returned feeling deeply awe-struck by their humility, presence, and devotion. I’m still processing everything that unfolded over those days — seeing them each day was profoundly moving — and I’ll share more when the words come.
At the end of Gentle Yoga, my students agreed to hold up their papers and repeat the mantra — not for the camera, but as a video offering to the monks. What unfolded was simple, sincere, and incredibly beautiful.
The photo is with my two sidekicks, Joe and David. We jokingly called ourselves the “Peace Walker Stalkers” — we drove from Michigan in a snowstorm to see the monks, so we thought we’d stay close and follow along for a couple of days… and somehow even made the local news!
Owning a yoga studio gives me the opportunity to practice and share peace — not as an idea, but as something we choose together. I am deeply moved by the Walk for Peace and filled with gratitude for the monks and their message of peace, love, compassion, forgiveness, and mindfulness. It quietly reaffirmed why I’m drawn to these practices and why I keep showing up to share them with love and grace.
With deep gratitude for this community, and for the quiet teachings of Venerable Pannakara and the other monks walking beside him. 🤍
