Coming home to myself, my postpartum yoga journey

I’m so excited to have my friend Karmen Morales Sanchez as a guest blogger today! Karmen and I first connected at a small Naples yoga studio back in 2013 where we were both teaching. Karmen is now a Mom to two adorable little boys, and is going to share a bit about her journey back to yoga.

From Karmen…

My postpartum yoga journey has been a coming home to myself in many phases.

It was when I had my second child that my yoga journey truly evolved. Sure I always had to modify my poses while pregnant, and I had to ease back into my practice after my first born, but my practice then remained greatly the same.

Fast forward to parenting a neurodivergent toddler, and nursing a second baby - my body, my nervous system and my soul where BEGGING me to do something different. None of my previous practices, anchors, and tools were working. And to be honest, the last thing I wanted to do was Yoga…yoga as I knew it anyway. I dabbled with HIIT workouts mainly bc my body wasn’t losing the weight as fast I wanted it to (I know I know, but we yoga teachers are not immune to body image complexities). But my body said a hard no to that as my cortisol levels would spike and I would swell up like a big achey balloon. I hit a wall. 

It was around this frustrating time in my life that I spoke to a long beloved colleague of mine and I remember her casually saying “oh I remember those early child days - restorative yoga was all I could handle.” .

Suddenly it clicked. I’d spent years avoiding restorative bc “it wasn’t for me.” However, in those moments….it was the ONLY thing that WAS for me. When I accepted and adopted restorative yoga as my main practice, my body began to unwind. Literally and figuratively. As I allowed my body to have what it desperately needed, I began to come home to myself. My body was still mine, but it needed a different kind of support, and a different kind of love now. My postpartum yoga journey became (for the first time) a true practice of meeting myself where I was (mentally/emotionally/physically) on the mat. Some days it looked like 5 mins of legs up the wall, some days a chest opening Jason Crandell restorative session, some days yoga nidra while my children napped. I learned from new teachers, and as my Yoga dogma lifted, so did the layers of pain, anxiety, and tension.

Listen, raising children is hard. Raising special needs or neurodivergent children is sometimes harder. Having to go back to work, or missing your job to become a stay at home mom - it’s ALL hard. Yoga teaches us to focus on what we CAN do, one breath at a time. That’s what my practice has finally become. I’m finally back (three years postpartum) to my original hatha style - but it took three years for my body to desire it again…and that’s ok! As a Mamá my biggest gift from yoga has been to truly cling to the phrase “right now it’s like this, and that’s ok.” (Which I also, totally credit my dear friend Lauren Wessinger for). 

A few of my favorite classes and teachers currently are…
Lauren Wessinger , Catherine Allen (peri and postnatal yoga) and Forrest yoga.

Follow Karmen on Instagram @karmenyoga

World Wellness Weekend - Yoga & Meditation Class

World Wellness Weekend is quickly approaching, and I hope you will be able to join me!

This is one of my only LIVE in-person events left for this year, and it’s going to be a good one.

For the last four years I have collaborated with The Edgewater Beach Hotel for this event; we love bringing wellness to our community. Naples is the happiest & healthiest city in the United States, and this is one of the reasons why…we love wellness!

This year I am hosting a 75 minute guided meditation and yoga class, and grab and go smoothies will be served after class!

This is a free event, but you must RSVP.

Simply click HERE to register for the event!

Saturday September 18th from 9:00a - 10:15a at the Edgewater Beach Hotel

Photo By Jontel Chere

Global Wellness Day 2021

For the past four years I have had the privilege of participating in Global Wellness Day in partnership with Edgewater Beach Hotel. This year we are hosting a beach yoga class, and a grab and go smoothie bar after yoga at the Edgewater Beach Hotel!

Global Wellness Day is Saturday June 12, yoga begins at 9am and will last one hour.

The yoga class is open to all levels, however some experience is recommended.

Beach towels will be provided for yoga, please bring water, spf, and anything else you may need.

Space is limited for this event and you must RSVP - email jennifer@leanandgreenbody.com with question, or click HERE to register.

Photo By Jontel Chere

5 Ways Meditation Has Changed My Life

Hi friends! I wanted to check in with you and update you on my meditation practice. New Years Day I committed to a daily meditation practice just for the month of January, hoping to gain some clarity. I loved it so much, and deeply connected with the practice, that I decided to continue my daily meditation practice indefinitely. I have felt such a dramatic shift in my life and my personal being since committing to this practice, it has changed my life in so many ways.

Here are 5 ways my life has changed since I started meditating daily:

1. I am way less stressed…I would conservatively say that my stress level has decreased over 50%, pretty amazing!

2. I am less reactive. I am able to remain in my breath, and focus on what’s real even in challenging times.

3. I am more connected to my body and my soul than ever before. 

4. I have a new found love and deep appreciation for my body. Meditation is not technically a physical practice, but it is changing my physical body. 

5. Meditating has allowed me to more clearly see my life, where I am currently and where I want to be. I find that I am able to more smoothly move through road blocks and say no to projects that do not align with where I ultimately want to be. 

Have you started a daily meditation practice? I would love to hear how it has changed your life. 

Comment below and let me know! xx 

Beach Yoga Retreat in Sunny Naples, FL

Naples, FL has been ranked as the happiest and healthiest city in the United States for years now, and it’s no wonder why. The endless beaches, sunny weather, and array of healthy restaurants lead to a very active outdoors lifestyle. I am so blessed to call Naples home, and am thrilled to invite you all to visit this May!

Edgewater Beach Hotel and I are hosting our annual beach yoga retreat May 16-19, 2021!

Relax, recharge, and renew with us beach front in this spring.

Enjoy daily yoga, meditation, prompted journaling exercises, paddle boarding, paddle board yoga, and so much more!

We always have such a wonderful group, and the women who have already signed up are incredible and inspiring. This is by far my favorite event of the year, and leads to so much change in four days. The transformations I have seen come from this retreat are magic.

Click HERE to see what past guests are saying about their experience.

For more info on the retreat and what to expect click HERE.

Space is limited, and the retreat is currently 40% full so don’t miss out on this beautiful experience. To book your retreat click HERE.

Photo by Jontel Chere

Lean and Green Body® Vinyasa Flow

Ready to take Jen’s signature vinyasa flow class??

No need to even leave the house! Just unroll your mat and press play!

Lean and Green Body® Signature Vinyasa Flow

Model: Cindy Wilcox

Photography: Nik Wilcox

Peanuts!!

Peanuts are a super affordable - and highly nutritious - snack!

They are a wonderful source of vegan protein, and contain about 26 grams of protein per 100 grams (4oz or 2/3 cup). Peanuts are packed with vitamins and minerals, and are especially high in B-vitamins, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. 

Peanuts are a great source of healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), which can be helpful in lowering your cholesterol and preventing a stroke and heart disease. 

This tiny nut is also packed full of fiber, which is why it can be helpful in weight loss.  (just watch your portion)

I always recommend that my clients eat a healthy balance of healthy fats, fiber and protein in order to keep them full and help them reach their goals - peanuts are an excellent source of all three! 

Did you know that peanuts contain resveratrol? Which happens to be the same powerful antioxidant that is in red wine, that’s right! Resveratrol helps with blood flow and can be helpful in stroke prevention.

Not sold on peanuts yet…no problem. Did you know that peanuts have the ability to increase your libido due to the high amounts of L-arginine in them?

Not all peanuts are created equal… and it’s best to find roasted peanuts, preferably unsalted, especially if you are concerned about heart disease. You can find all kinds of varieties in the store from chocolate covered,  honey roasted and even wasabi dusted, I believe simple is always best!

During quarantine I have been leaving a small bowl out in my office for my husband and I to snack on a few days per week. It’s the perfect afternoon snack to keep us fueled up and focused.