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Words for the Way: Musings, Practices, and Reminders from the Mat
nuggets you need to know to support you in your yoga practice and ayurvedic living
shared twice a month
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Hi! Thanks for being here.
Here, in this email, when you could be in a myriad of other places. There have been seasons in my life when I’ve felt deeply disconnected from myself—looking outside of myself for joy, love, and a sense of enoughness. Sometimes I wonder if sharing these things publicly means I’m speaking into the void. But maybe someone needs to hear this.
To you: I see you. You are not lacking. You don’t need to change yourself to fit the expectations of others.
Yoga and Ayurveda have helped me remember this. They’ve taught me that caring for myself isn’t selfish—it’s part of the practice. And there’s something beautiful about the Sanskrit word sneha, which means both oil and love. Snehana, or oleation therapy, uses oil or fat to lubricate and nourish the body. One form of snehana is abhyanga, the practice of self-massage with oil. For me, abhyanga has become one of the simplest and most tangible ways to practice self-love. I practice it 4–5 times a week, and I find it deeply nourishing.
I’ve included a guide below if you’d like to give it a try. Send me a quick reply if you plan to or do — I’d love to hear about it. Take the time to care for yourself. You deserve it.
Sending love from afar,
Anna
Heads Up: Your shower or tub will be slickkkkk after abhyanga. Please warn appropriate parties in your home and/or give the tub a quick clean with vinegar or Dawn. Wishing you loving lubrication.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Hi! Thanks for being here.
Here, in this email, when you could be in a myriad of other places. While the official start of autumn is still a few weeks away, perhaps you’re beginning to feel the transition out of summer. Plans are starting to slow down. Days are getting shorter. The air is getting chillier (I wish this were the case for me in Florida!), kids are back in school, etc., etc.
Summer is such a fun time, and yet, I relish the routine and rhythm that settles deep into my being throughout the rest of the year.
The closing of summer feels like a natural time to check in with your own routine. To start, how do you feel when you hear the word routine? Does your armor rise at the thought, favoring instead the spontaneity of life? Or do you feel your body settle, as I do, into the comfort of a framework?
Take a moment to notice what arises with the idea of routine. I understand both responses—and all of the experiences in between.
Consider this: a routine doesn’t have to be rigid. It can be an opportunity. A touchstone each day to check in with yourself.
Through daily routine—dinacharya (dina ~ daily + charya ~ routine)—you develop a baseline understanding of your body. You begin to slow down and notice things about yourself that you might not otherwise.
For example, you may notice how you rested, how much gunk accumulated on your tongue overnight (hmm...what did I eat yesterday?), how your body feels in that particular moment, the level of hydration or dryness in your skin, and so on.
These small observations give you information. They allow you to move through the rest of your day from a place of care and intention, rather than on autopilot or at a constant speed setting.
Dinacharya is an integral part of my day. Some days, I make it through all the steps. Other days, life happens, and I don’t complete the full routine. I find that “life happening” tends to occur more frequently during the summer, which is why this seasonal transition feels like a good time to revisit—or create—your own dinacharya.
Below, you’ll find my dinacharya. Add or subtract whatever makes sense for you. Circle back in a month and edit your routine if you need to. I add in a few steps — like neti and nasya — when the weather cools down. Questions about dinacharya? Feel free to hit reply to this e-mail; I’d love to chat with you about it.
When we see routine as an act of love and self-care, it lands differently.
Sending love from afar,
Anna
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Hi! Thanks for being here.
Here, in this email, when you could be in a myriad of other places. I miss you! Truly—I miss all of my people right now as I build a new community in my new home. Especially on Wednesdays and Sundays. IYKYK.
As I sat on my mat today, I found myself wondering how I could still be of service to you, even from afar. My thoughts turned to the wildfires burning and the impact they’re having on air quality for so many of you.
Below, you’ll find a few Ayurvedic ways to care for yourself amidst the smoke and support your body during this challenging time.
If the wildfires aren’t affecting you directly, perhaps you know someone who is. Feel free to share this information with them.
Sending love from afar,
Anna
