I was outside raking leaves the other day, fully in my yard-cleanup era, dragging piles around and feeling very productive.

Yes, I know it is almost May, but for some reason, the leaves are still on the ground in my yard.

I guess other things have taken priority.

Then I saw movement in the leaves.

And in less than one second, my reptile brain came up with exactly one explanation:

Snake

Not “maybe the wind.”
Not “probably a lizard.”

Nope.

Before I even had time to think, I was screaming and jumping about 10 yards away, full panic mode, heart racing, breath panting.

Apparently, my nervous system likes to go straight to wildlife emergency.

By the way, I was cornered by a big snake back in the day, and my brother came to the rescue with his hockey stick.

Yes, every child who grows up in Sweden is born with a hockey stick in hand.

Anyway, I still needed to continue my leaf-cleaning mission, so I slowly walked back and looked closer.

Tiny, fluffy

Baby bunnies. Completely innocent. Just sitting there looking like woodland marshmallows.

So while they were having a quiet little bunny morning, I was out there acting like I was about to film a survival documentary.

It made me laugh, but it also made me think about how often the mind does this.

A little movement.
A little uncertainty.
One small thing we do not fully understand.

And suddenly, we are not just noticing what is happening.

We are writing the full disaster script.

Worst case. Fast. Automatic.

That is not you being dramatic.

That is your brain trying to protect you.

But the tricky part is this:

Your brain is not always accurate. It is just fast.

That is a big part of why practices like yoga matter.

They give us a chance to pause before we react.
To breathe before we decide.
To look again before we believe the first story our mind tells us.

Because sometimes, yes, it might be a snake.

But a lot of the time? It is just baby bunnies.

If life has had you jumping straight to worst-case scenario lately, come move, breathe, and exhale with us.

You do not have to do it perfectly.

You just have to show up.

• Sunday May 10th

• 9 am - 3 pm

• Sky Pond (Raleigh area)

A chance to step away from the usual pace of life and return home feeling more grounded, refreshed, and inspired

I created this day because I know how hard it is to carve out real time for yourself — and I wanted to offer something that feels like a true exhale, not just another thing on your calendar.

On May 10th, I’m hosting a small, intimate retreat at Sky Pond in Apex — a beautiful, tucked-away spot beside a pond and tall pines that I absolutely love.

We’ll move together through a vinyasa yoga flow, share a nourishing vegetarian lunch, get our hands into a Japanese indigo dye workshop led by my friend River, and close the day with restorative yoga and meditation.

Read more about this day retreat and reserve your spot here

Love to see you there!

Tina

Yoga Explorer

QUESTIONS?

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Day retreat discount code is: MAYMAGIC, good for $30 off. If money feels tight right now, please reach out. I don’t want $ to be the reason you miss this day. We will figure something out.

Sign up for Fiesta Flow

Outdoor Yoga in Fred Fletcher park

🕕 6 PM Monday through Thursday

🕘 9 AM Saturday and Sunday

Different instructors each day.

All-level classes, open to everyone.
Beginner friendly. ❤️

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Pay what you can: $10+
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