Unbalanced AF

Maybe you showed up every day this week.Maybe you didn’t.Either way—you’re here now. And that counts more than you think.This meditation is a reset, not a recap. A moment to notice what shifted, what didn’t, and what it felt like to actually pause in the middle of your life. No gold stars. No catching up. Just awareness.We reflect on the body, the breath, and the quiet relationship you’ve been building with yourself—whether it felt steady or messy or somewhere in between.Then we move forward… differently.Not with pressure, but with intention. One word. One feeling. Something you can actually carry into your week without forcing it.And we close where we’ve been pointing all along:You don’t need to find your way home.You just need to remember how to return.✨ If you’ve been doing the work (or avoiding it), this is your moment to land.#studentoflife #meditation #balancedplanetyoga #unbalancedAF #yoga

You’re not stealing wallets.But you are stealing moments.In this meditation, we explore Asteya—the practice of non-stealing—and flip it on its head. Because the real theft isn’t out there… it’s the constant pull away from right now.The scrolling. The comparing. The rushing ahead.The subtle belief that what’s happening next will matter more than what’s happening now.Yeah… that.This practice calls it out gently—but clearly. And then offers something better:→ staying for the moment you’re actually in→ noticing what you already have access to→ realizing you’re not behind (even if your brain insists you are)Because when you stop stealing from the present… you finally get to receive it.✨ If your mind is always somewhere else, this one brings you back—without forcing it.

This one isn’t about doing less. It’s about wasting less.In today’s meditation, we’re working with brahmacharya—not the outdated, panic-inducing version, but the real one: the right use of your energy. Where it goes. Who gets it. What quietly drains it… and what actually gives it back.Because here’s the truth—your energy is getting spent whether you’re paying attention or not. And most of us are leaking it in places that don’t deserve it.This practice brings you back to something simpler and more honest:→ noticing what depletes you→ recognizing what restores you→ making one small, real choice to protect your energy todayNo perfection. No overthinking. Just awareness and direction.✨ If you’ve been feeling scattered, drained, or pulled in ten directions… this is your reset.#unbalancedAF #balancedplanetyoga #meditate #yoga

Life is loud. Your brain has a group chat. And somehow you’re expected to be calm, productive, emotionally mature, and hydrated.Nope. Not today.In this 7-minute guided meditation, it’s just Jenna helping you do the simplest thing that changes everything: breathe without trying to “get it right.” You’ll notice the urge to control your breath (because… of course you will), and then you’ll ease into watching instead. One side of the breath at a time. No performance. No fixing.Jenna guides your awareness through the body—chest rising and falling, feet and legs grounding, spine lifting—and into a bigger sense of presence: like you’re breathing not only through your lungs, but through your whole being… even the space around you.Then we soften into a quick reflection—what did I learn about myself this week? what can I carry forward?—and finish with a hand-to-heart moment and a grounded gratitude phrase:“I am grateful for this practice and for the person I am becoming.”Tiny practice. Real impact. Press play when you’re spiraling, buffering, or just need to remember you’re still in there.

This week on Unbalanced AF, we’re offering you something a little softer, a little steadier, and honestly… a little necessary.Because Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude —it’s about family dynamics, travel chaos, emotional booby traps, old stories resurfacing, and someone inevitably bringing up something you did in 1998.So we made you a grounding meditation you can actually use.No performative gratitude lists.No “love and light, everything is perfect.”Just a real moment to come down from the thinking mind, get into your body, remember compassion, and move through this week with actual grace — not the fake kind you put on when relatives are watching.In this episode, Cheryl guides you through a Thanksgiving practice that helps you:stop spiraling in your headreturn to your body (aka the place where sanity lives)remember a moment of real compassion that shaped youuse that memory as fuel for the next few daysnavigate family, emotions, and chaos without losing yourselfIt’s grounding, it’s human, and it’s got just enough Unbalanced AF energy to remind you that none of us have our stuff together — we’re just doing our best while trying not to burn the pies or snap at the siblings.Listen to this before you travel, before dinner, or anytime you need to get back to yourself.Happy Thanksgiving, fam. We’re grateful for you — unbalanced, honest, and exactly as you are. 🧡

We didn’t go to yoga school to learn how to teach.We went because nothing else was working.In this episode, we get honest about what really happens inside a 200-hour yoga teacher training — the kind that shifts how you live, not just how you move. We share what pulled us there in the first place, how it cracked something open in both of us, and why this work reached places that therapy, to-do lists, and self-help books never could.The truth is, the world feels heavy right now. Most of us are running on empty, holding it together for everyone else, and forgetting what it feels like to be present in our own lives. Yoga training — when it’s done right — gives you a place to stop fighting yourself long enough to start healing.This isn’t about memorizing Sanskrit or perfecting a pose. It’s about learning to stay when things get uncomfortable. To breathe when you want to shut down. To show up with compassion when everything in you wants to retreat. It’s about remembering that your healing matters — not just for you, but for everyone your life touches.We talk about what it means to become a helper, a connector, a healer — not because it sounds good on paper, but because it’s the only thing that feels real anymore. When you do your own work, it ripples outward. You get steadier. Kinder. More awake.Yoga school isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming present. It’s the kind of education most of us never got — how to be human with a little more grace, a little more truth, and a lot more courage.Early Bird pricing for Balanced Planet Yoga’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training ends December 15.Payment plans are available - visit www.balancedplanetyoga.com and click on Train With Us to learn more. And when you enroll — whether paid in full or on an approved plan — your unlimited studio pass starts immediately. You can begin practicing now, before the training even starts. A $250 deposit holds your spot and gets the momentum going.Maybe you’ll go on to teach. Maybe you’ll just show up differently in your own life.Either way, this might be the beginning of something that actually works.Join us on our new Balanced Planet Yoga WhatsApp Community - follow this link https://chat.whatsapp.com/ENuwjLrSbDS7dRQZCsKwB9?mode=wwtBPY is hosting a virtual food drive through the Food Bank of South Jersey. Even $1 helps families in our area put food on the table. Here’s the link to donate: https://give.foodbanksj.org/-/NJFGZMHM

We’re back, baby.After six months of real life doing what it does best—throwing curveballs, detours, and existential side quests—Cheryl and Jenna return to the mic a little wiser, a little scrappier, and still totally Unbalanced AF.In this episode, we unpack where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and why balance is still a myth we keep chasing anyway. From perfectionism disguised as “productivity” to procrastination dressed up as “planning,” we’re calling ourselves out—and laughing about it.We talk about the joy of doing things just because, the freedom of having no expectations, and why reconnecting with your passion isn’t about a five-step plan—it’s about remembering who you are when nobody’s watching.If you’ve ever fallen off your “routine,” ghosted your own goals, or wondered if you’re the only one who can’t get your sh*t together—you’re in the right place.This episode is for anyone who’s still figuring it out (and refusing to give up).

7-Minute Meditation to Refuel Without Forcing ItYou know those mornings when your eyes open and you’re already done?Like, before coffee, before emails, before even thinking about being productive — you’re running on fumes.This isn’t about pretending you’re fine or powering through with fake energy. It’s about learning to refill without the hustle.In seven minutes, we’ll skip the pep talks and go straight to what actually works: presence, breath, and a little self-respect for your nervous system.In this short meditation, you’ll:Reconnect to your body and remember what real rest feels likeClear out mental and physical heaviness from the nightInvite energy back in through gentle awareness, not effortLearn how to refill your cup without pushing or pretendingLeave feeling steadier, softer, and a little more you againBecause being tired doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means you’ve been giving too much.Let’s get some of that energy back where it belongs.

Episode Description:This meditation is a pattern interrupt—for when you’re running on autopilot, saying “I’m fine” before you’ve even checked in with what's happening on the inside. It’s for those moments when life feels like a blur and you need something real to land in.No fluff. No pretending. Just breath, awareness, and the choice to be present in the middle of whatever this day is bringing.In this episode, you’ll practice:✨ Interrupting autopilot and reconnecting to what’s real✨ Grounding your nervous system without numbing out✨ Reclaiming presence as a daily act of self-respect

You know that feeling when you look up mid-scroll or mid-life and think: How did I get here...and....What am I even doing right now? Yeah. This one’s for that.This 7-minute meditation doesn’t try to fix the spiral — it meets it. With breath, with space, and with the radical permission to not have it all figured out. You’ll get grounded in your body, explore the quiet echoes of “how did I get here?” and come back to a kind of presence that doesn’t require perfection — only honesty.Inhale: Here I am.Exhale: Still becoming.Three reasons to press play:Make peace with the uncertainty — You don’t need all the answers to return to yourself.Come back from autopilot — Reconnect to what’s real right now, in your body, your mind, your life.Notice the story you’re telling — Not to fix it, but to witness it, with curiosity and compassion.

Whether you're wide awake or barely hanging on, this meditation is a soft place to land. We’re not here to conquer the day just yet — we’re here to meet it. To notice what’s here, without needing to fix it. To remember that the day will come soon enough — but this moment is already here.Your mind will wander. That’s not a failure; it’s the invitation. To begin again. And again. To return — to your body, to your breath, to now.Try anchoring with the phrase:Inhale: Here I amExhale: This is enoughYou don’t need to name what you find. Just make room for it. Let it be. Everything belongs.There is no perfect way to be present. There is just the next breath, and the grace of the next return.Three reasons to press play:Train your comeback muscle — Learn how to return without shame when your mind wanders (which it will).Ground your anxious energy — Settle the chaos before the day even begins.Shift from perfection to presence — Stop trying to “get it right” and start letting it just be.

Whether you’re lying down, sitting up, or still curled up in bed—there’s nothing more you need to do right now than listen. This short, grounding meditation is an invitation and a gentle commitment: to live today in a way that when you look back, there’s at least one moment you didn’t miss. Remember, no one has ever lived this exact version of today—not even you. Together, we’ll practice coming back home to ourselves, shifting attention from what we’re doing to how we’re being, welcoming difficult emotions as passing visitors, and noticing what’s truly here—from the subtle texture of the sky to the steady rhythm of our breath.Three reasons to press play:Anchor yourself firmly in today’s unrepeatable momentsLet difficult feelings visit without overstaying their welcomeShift from autopilot to gentle, judgment-free awareness

This isn’t toxic positivity. It’s a loving, low-key pep talk for when your inner critic gets loud and your energy runs low. In this guided meditation, we trade pressure for presence — and give your nervous system a reason to exhale.Whether you’re doubting your worth or just need someone [you] in your corner, this one’s for the version of you that shows up anyway.Benefits of this meditation:Replaces negative self-talk with grounded encouragementBoosts self-trust and resilience in tough momentsHelps regulate your nervous system and reduce stress

In this episode of Unbalanced AF, we’re tapping into the kind of wisdom that doesn’t come from overthinking or Googling—it comes from that quiet, deeper part of you that knows exactly what to do, even when you’re too busy questioning everything. You know that voice? The one that’s always been there, but sometimes gets drowned out by the noise? Yeah, that one.This meditation is all about tuning into your higher wisdom—because deep down, there’s always someone in there who knows what’s up. It’s not about logic or advice; it’s about reconnecting with that inner knowing that’s been waiting for you to just listen.So, hit play, take a breath, and let’s see what happens when you step aside and let your higher self take the wheel. Spoiler: it’s going to feel so much better than trying to figure it all out on your own.

In this episode of Unbalanced AF, we’re setting sail to rediscover what’s been missing—your anchor. You know, that unshakable, steady point inside of you that somehow gets lost in the shuffle of life’s chaotic waves. It’s time to bring it back.This Yoga Nidra session will take you on a grounding journey to reconnect with your true center. We’ll start by lying down and letting the earth hold you, reminding you that everything you need is already here. Then, we’ll set an intention (Sankalpa) to bring you back to your foundation, unshaken by whatever temporary storm is brewing around you.No judgment, no rush—just you, your breath, and the practice of rediscovering that anchor you didn’t even know you misplaced. Because sometimes, the hardest part is remembering where you put it in the first place. Let’s find it together.

In this episode of Unbalanced AF, we’re diving into a meditation that’s all about letting go of the pressure to be perfect and embracing the messy, beautiful process of practice. Spoiler alert: it’s not about getting it right. It’s about showing up, being real, and trusting that the doing is where the magic happens.Forget about striving for flawless moments—this meditation is here to help you find peace in the imperfections. Let go of the idea that you need to “nail it” and instead, lean into the journey with all its bumps, bruises, and breakthroughs—practice, not perfection, baby.So take a breath, hit play, and give yourself permission to be—no perfect poses or pristine thoughts required. This one’s all about the messy middle, and we’re here for it.

In this episode of Unbalanced AF, Jenna and Kait are serving up the real talk on navigating the teen world—and spoiler alert: it’s messy, chaotic, and occasionally hilarious. And sometimes, it requires your fort-making skills using whatever props you’ve got lying around. They spill the tea on how they found their shared passion for connecting with teens and how it’s turned into something powerful at BPY.They’ll give you the lowdown on BPY’s Teen Summer Retreat Program—designed to help teens (and honestly, who doesn’t need help?) tap into mindfulness, breathe, and find their way through the hormonal hurricane of growing up.And if you’re wondering, “If mindfulness were a dance move, what would it be?”—trust, you’ll get the answer you never knew you needed.Oh, and mark your calendars: we’re hosting a FREE Zoom session on May 4th for students and teachers—helping them power through exam season with mindfulness tricks that are way more effective than chugging coffee or pulling an all-nighter. (Seriously, leave the stress at the door. We’ve got this.)Tune in for a conversation that’s as real and raw as the teen experience itself—served up with just the right amount of snark and a dose of practical wisdom.Show links:May 4th FREE Zoom Session for Students + Teachers | The Mindfulness Lab - Exam Edition: https://app.arketa.co/balancedplanetyogallc/checkout/kRk0flfRjjXTFCZnfNomBPY Teen Retreat Info [Two Sessions, July + August 2025}: https://app.arketa.co/balancedplanetyogallc/checkout/E9D1kHddpOSelkUIf5YE

Ever stood on one leg in yoga and wondered why your body suddenly has the coordination of a toddler? Spoiler alert: it’s not just your abs slacking off. In this episode, Cheryl and Jenna dive deep into the real reasons behind your mat-top wobbles, from inner ear shenanigans and the subtle art of proprioception, to that last lonely nerve in your big toe desperately trying to keep up. But balance is more than physical—it's a spotlight on your ego and reactivity. How do you respond when things (inevitably) don’t go as planned? Fall out, breathe in, and step back up. It’s about resilience, humility, and remembering that falling doesn’t mean failing—on or off the mat. Sarcasm included, enlightenment optional.

This one is for the part of you that’s tired of performing—tired of fixing, improving, striving. In this short guided meditation, we practice the radical act of being with ourselves, just as we are.No pressure.No proving.Just breath.Just presence.Together, we’ll explore how the smallest moments—how you breathe when no one’s watching, how you listen when the world feels full—are shaping who you’re becoming. This is not a detour. It is the practice. Let your breath remind you: you don’t have to do more to be enough. You only have to remember that how you move through the world...matters.

What if every quiet moment was silently shaping who you're becoming? In this episode, Cheryl guides you through a meditation designed to awaken your awareness to the invisible ways you train for life—through the gentle rhythm of breath, the stillness of inquiry, and the grace of presence. There's nowhere else you need to be, nothing else you need to fix. Just witness your breath as a mirror, revealing your unfolding story without judgment. Embrace this sacred pause, discovering how each small act of presence prepares you for life's unknown roads ahead. Join us in uncovering the hidden wisdom in the ordinary, moment by moment, breath by breath.Three Things You Get from This Meditation:Insight into how your daily choices quietly shape your becoming.A deeper connection to your breath as a reflection of your inner state.The gentle reminder that presence, not perfection, guides your journey forward.Join the BPY community weekdays 730A for live on Zoom meditations - more info at www.BalancedPlanetYoga.com. Click on BPY communities to register for FREE!

No one packed snacks, someone forgot the permission slip, and the bus smells weird. Welcome to adulthood.We’re just doing a headcount.Not to make sure you didn’t wander off—but to check in on the humans behind the roles, the routines, the “I’m fine”s.Because lately, it feels like we’re all moving through life with a little Field Trip Energy: slightly disoriented, overstimulated, and hoping someone remembered the itinerary.In this episode, we talk about what it means to hold space—for ourselves, and for each other—when the energy is weird and no one’s at their best. Yoga teaches us how to return to center, sure. But it also teaches us how to sit in a room together, breathe through the noise, and remember: we’re not doing this alone.If you’ve been feeling scattered, distant, or just a little off, consider this your roll call.You're here. We’re here. That’s enough.Sign up for Jenna's Dharma Tree class on 04/27/2025: https://app.arketa.co/balancedplanetyogallc/checkout/Mq5tq5kbP0pLlQvI55YsWant to order mini bundt cakes? Check out our fellow Marlton biz: https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com

Feeling fried? Cool. Same. This guided Yoga Nidra isn’t just a nap with a spiritual soundtrack. It’s a legit reset button—an ancient practice designed to drop you below the noise, the pressure, and the endless to-do lists.In this offering, Cheryl Van Sciver—yoga teacher, co-founder of Balanced Planet Yoga, and professional life-juggler—walks you through an 8-step meditation that’s part body scan, part breathwork, part soul retrieval. Inspired by the Mandukya Upanishad (yes, we’re going there), this practice helps you remember who the hell you are underneath all the roles you’ve been playing.Come back to this one whenever you’re tired of pretending you’ve got it all together. No experience necessary. Pajamas encouraged—just hit play and be human.Want to read the Mandukya Upanishad? Here's a version we recommend: https://amzn.to/3RgnQb1

Ever set an intention, then get absolutely steamrolled by the day? Same. This short and grounding meditation is a soft landing for your nervous system—a way to slow down, reset, and come back to yourself. No perfection required. Just presence. If you've been caught in urgency or overwhelm, this one’s your quiet way back. We breathe, we notice, we begin again.Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause… and choose again.You can come back to yourself—as many times as it takes.

Before you plan, respond, or reach for what’s next—this 7-minute morning meditation invites you to simply land. To come back to the steady, quiet place underneath the noise. This is a grounding practice for the in-between moments, when clarity is beginning to emerge but you’re not quite ready to move. You’ll reconnect with your breath, your body, and what feels most true right now—without rushing to figure it all out. Because when you return to that deeper steadiness, choice becomes clear.In this meditation, you’ll:Ground yourself in the present moment with steady awarenessTune in to what you’re ready to release or carry forwardPractice choosing from a place of calm, not pressure

When you’ve taken time to slow down, to notice what’s really happening beneath the surface, a quiet kind of clarity begins to emerge. This meditation invites you to meet that clarity—not with pressure or urgency, but with presence. What are you ready to carry forward? What are you ready to release? There’s no need to have it all figured out. Sometimes just listening is enough. Because once you’ve made space to see more clearly, you’re already clear enough to choose.In this meditation, you’ll:Reflect on what you’ve uncovered through soft attentionListen inwardly for what feels aligned nowAffirm your ability to move forward with softness, clarity, and care

We kick things off with love bombs for our BPY community—because yes, we really did cram two studios into one and somehow thrived. (Mostly. There were snacks. And maybe some tears.)Then we dive into the juicy stuff: Are you lying to yourself in the name of keeping the peace? Saying "I'm fine" when you're unraveling, nodding yes when your soul is screaming no? We ask the hard questions—like, are we chasing peace like it’s a finish line, or are we finally ready to sit down and find it inside ourselves?With a nod to Stephen Cope’s Soul Friends, we talk about the people who hold the mirror up for us—and what it takes to tell the truth when it’s way easier to keep the fake smile going. We unpack mantras, chaos, and the roadblocks that are actually road signs if we’re paying attention.This one’s for anyone tired of pretending everything’s okay just to keep the peace. (Spoiler: peace isn’t passive—and it sure as hell isn’t always pretty.)Show Notes:Get Stephen Cope's Book: https://amzn.to/4lzGTuOGet Dr. Richard Schwartz's Workbook on Internal Family Systems: https://amzn.to/3R6qznb

Sometimes the loudest forces in our lives are the quietest ones—thoughts, beliefs, and emotional patterns running in the background, shaping how we move through the world without us even realizing it. This meditation invites you to pause, tune in, and gently question the internal voices influencing your choices and self-perception. Who said you have to be perfect? Who said you’re behind? This isn’t about judgment—it’s about curiosity. When you learn to notice those inner narratives without letting them drive, you create the space to choose something more true.In this meditation, you’ll:Scan the body to uncover subtle tension and internalized beliefsBring awareness to background narratives that shape your behaviorReclaim your voice and return to a place of clarity and choice

When the world feels like a hard place, it can be tempting to shut down, numb out, or toughen up just to get through it. But in this morning meditation, we explore a different way. This practice invites you to soften—not as a sign of surrender, but as an act of strength. You’ll release tension, connect with your breath, and stay open in a world that often rewards the opposite. Softness doesn’t mean you stop caring or fighting for what’s right. It means you show up—with empathy, with presence, with your full humanity intact.In this meditation, you’ll:Let go of emotional tension and defensivenessCultivate openness without collapsingReclaim softness as a powerful, grounded responseFind our morning meditation community at https://app.arketa.co/iframe/balancedplanetyogallc/series/QgQNCXopFp3g4B8qqFOD

In a world that demands constant action, urgency, and control, it can feel almost radical to soften. This meditation invites you to do just that—not as a way to escape responsibility, but as a way to meet this moment with steadiness, clarity, and presence. Through gentle breath and awareness, you'll release the need to hold it all together and lean into the quiet support that’s always available. This is not about giving up—it’s about showing up, grounded and awake. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is not push harder, but soften into the strength of being fully here.In this meditation, you’ll:Learn how softening the body can steady the mindReconnect with inner and outer support systemsShift from overwhelmed to grounded presence in just minutesLooking to join us live on weekday mornings or even a morning here or there? Head to www.BalancedPlanetYoga.com - click on BPY Communities, then Meditation Community. Sign up from there; it is totally free! You'll get an email with the Zoom link every night, or go back to the same online meditation community every morning and click Launch class.

We start this one hungry—literally. Join us for a classic sideways rant about forgetting to eat, hyperfocusing to the point of vanishing, and the sheer terror of stepping away when you're "in the flow." (Spoiler: you won’t actually lose your genius if you pause for lunch.) We get into the necessity of planning—and the beautiful chaos of when the plan blows up. Like “Free for All” night in the kitchen, where the kids thought it was a treat and not a total mom Hail Mary. (Also, can we talk about the brilliance of breakfast for dinner? Cheryl’s kitchen might’ve been the original Chopped set.)Then, in true Unbalanced AF fashion—we PIVOT. We open up about what’s happening at the studio, our decision to downsize, and how this isn’t our first pivot rodeo. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s a reminder that sometimes what looks like a breakdown is actually the start of a better plan.

What if you didn’t have to hold it all together?What if this moment could hold you?In this soft and spacious meditation, you’re invited to lay it all down—the tension, the noise, the striving—and return to what’s always been beneath it: the quiet hum of being.Breathe gently. Soften completely. Let presence hold you.You’ll be guided through:🌿 A settling of the body, like earth receiving rain💫 A journey inward, where breath opens space within🌬 A surrender into being held—by breath, by life, by something greater☁️ A resting in the sky of your awareness, vast and freeLet this be your reminder: You are not your thoughts. You are not your tension. You are the space they move through.#Stillness #InnerPeace #PoeticMeditation #GuidedMeditation #HeldByPresence

✨ Expanding Presence: You are Not Separate ✨This guided meditation invites you to go beyond the boundaries of your thoughts, emotions, and physical form—to soften into something much bigger: the space around you, your connection to everything, and the infinite awareness that holds it all.In this journey, you’ll explore:🌬️ A gentle opening that shifts focus from the inner world to the outer space of presence🌌 A step-by-step expansion—from body, to room, to boundless awareness🌊 The realization that you are not just the wave—you are also the ocean🌟 A closing return that leaves you both grounded and vastThis is more than mindfulness—it’s a powerful reset that moves you from self-focus to a felt sense of oneness and belonging.Perfect for those moments when you need to reconnect, realign, and remember: You are not small. You are not separate. You are infinite.#Meditation #Presence #Oneness #SpaciousAwareness #GuidedMeditation #Mindfulness

What’s the Price of Being the Strong One?In this episode of Unbalanced AF, Cheryl and Jenna—two tired, type-A, firstborns—dig into the emotional toll of always being the capable one—the one who shows up, holds it all together, and still finds time to plant-based meal prep like a boss (or order from Greens + Grains like the regulars we are).We talk about what it means to be “strong” because we were the first: the guinea pigs, the nurturers, the ones who had to rise to the occasion whether we were ready or not. And how that kind of strength comes with a side effect we don’t talk about enough—not knowing how to slow down, and feeling like we need permission to rest or do nothing at all.Also in this episode:🍳 The non-stick pan incident—because sometimes, you just can’t anymore😅 That awkward moment when someone says, “I don’t know how you do it,” and we’re like, “Yeah… us either”🧠 Avoidance as a survival strategy (aka pretending everything’s fine)😴 The guilt of resting, and how hard it is to let people see the cracksBecause being strong isn’t about doing it all—it’s about knowing when to stop, breathe, and not spiral because you forgot to soak the cashews.

In a world that keeps us stuck in our heads—analyzing, planning, reacting—true presence isn’t about managing thoughts. It’s about feeling fully alive in this moment.This guided meditation invites you to shift out of the mind and into the body, connecting with the two ancient rhythms always with you: your heartbeat and breath. As you tune into these natural pulses, you’ll cultivate a deep sense of calm, awareness, and aliveness.🌿 What to expect in this meditation:✔️ Reconnect with your body’s intelligence—beyond thought✔️ Use your heartbeat as an anchor to the present moment✔️ Experience breath as a bridge between mind and body✔️ Sense the subtle energy within you—your life force in motion✔️ Expand into connection with the world around youWhenever life feels overwhelming, return to this: the pulse of presence. Your breath. Your heartbeat. The simple aliveness of now.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM www.BalancedPlanetYoga.com/bpy-communities/

You know the drill—tight hamstrings, stubborn ego, and that one teacher always yelling, "Bend your knees!" But what if that cue isn’t just about your down dog? In this episode, we dive into samskaras—our deep-seated patterns—and how what we do on the mat is exactly what we carry off of it. From resisting help (even when our hamstrings are screaming) to repeating the same habits in life, we unpack how awareness, humor, and maybe finally bending our knees can help break the cycle. Spoiler: It’s not just about yoga—it’s about life. So, take a deep breath, drop the ego, and for the love of all things stretchy, bend the knees!

7-Minute Guided Insight Meditation: The Changing Seasons of Emotion Just like the seasons shift from winter’s stillness to spring’s renewal, our emotions are always moving—arriving, staying for a time, and eventually passing. This short yet powerful meditation invites you to observe your emotional landscape with the same patience and trust you bring to the changing seasons.Through breath, visualization, and gentle reflection, you’ll learn to:🍃 Recognize your emotional “weather” without judgment🌸 Witness emotions as they arise, unfold, and fade naturally💨 Release resistance and allow change to happen effortlesslyStep into the freshness of the present moment and embrace the flow of emotions like a warm breeze after winter. 🌞✨

🎙️ Episode 1: "Most Challenging Moment in the Last 24 Hours?"Welcome to the Unbalanced AF podcast! Be patient with us as we come online—this first raw and unfiltered episode, recorded straight from the floor of our studio office, is a true window into the messiness of beginnings.In this episode, Cheryl and Jenna tackle the inevitable moments when we unintentionally annoy the people around us—whether it’s snoring, stress, or the chaos of prepping for a JROTC Ball. But here’s the thing: if we can pause before reacting, we can shift from frustration to understanding (and maybe even laughter).How do we navigate those daily challenges without losing our minds? And how do we turn moments of tension into something we can laugh about later? Tune in for real talk, relatable moments, and a reminder that life is beautifully unbalanced.🎧 Listen now and join us in the mess! #UnbalancedAF #RealTalk #LaughThroughItShow Notes:The Book Jenna was talking about: The Courage to Be Disliked:  The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi Here is the link to purchase or check it out: https://amzn.to/4ipIH7kEgo-System Graphic: https://neighborhoodeconomics.org/ecosystem-vs-egosystem/

Releasing & Merging: Becoming the FlowWe’ve been working with the imagery of the river and the leaves—watching thoughts drift by, learning to let them go. But what happens when we stop observing and start becoming the river itself?Today’s Meditation: Releasing the Leaves and Merging with the RiverThis practice invites a deeper shift—moving from detachment to full immersion in the present moment. Instead of just watching your thoughts pass, you’ll experience the spacious awareness beneath them, the steady current that carries all things naturally.🌿 Why listen? Move from observing thoughts to embodying deep presence. Cultivate a sense of flow, trust, and effortless release. Feel the difference between mental noise and the calm, steady awareness beneath it. Rest in the spaciousness of mind, letting everything move through you.🌊 You are not the leaves. You are the river. Let everything flow.🔗 Click below to listen.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or listen anytime.

Deepening Awareness: Observing the Flow of the MindThoughts come and go like leaves on a river—some drifting by unnoticed, others catching on rocks, swirling, pulling our attention. But what if we could simply watch them, without force, without control?Today’s Meditation: Deepening Awareness with the River and LeavesIn this practice, we go beyond simply letting go. We pause and observe the thoughts and emotions that pass through, noticing their textures, their pace, their patterns—without judgment. Some move on effortlessly, others linger before they are carried away.🌿 Why listen? Strengthen the ability to observe thoughts without reacting. Cultivate self-awareness and emotional clarity. Trust the natural flow of the mind—knowing all things pass in their own time. Develop a sense of calm presence, rooted in the rhythm of breath. Your mind is the river. Your thoughts are the leaves. Watch, soften, and trust the current.🔗 Click below to listen.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or tune in anytime.

Monday Meditation: Flowing Through ResistanceMondays come with their own kind of resistance—the weight of expectations, to-do lists, and the urge to push forward when we may not feel ready. But what if we approached Monday differently? What if, instead of resisting, we allowed ourselves to flow?Today’s Meditation: Following the Path of the BreathIn this practice, we use the imagery of the river to connect with the breath—not just as air, but as energy. Just as a river carries more than water, our breath moves more than oxygen. It is our life force. It brings in what we need andintelligently, effortlessly expels what we don't.🌿 Why listen? Shift your Monday mindset from resistance to flow. Cultivate a deep sense of trust in the present moment. Learn to direct your breath to areas of tension, softening into discomfort. Repeat the mantra: “Everything in my life is unfolding as it should. ” Take 7 minutes today to release, soften, and flow into the week ahead.🔗 Click below to listen.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or listen anytime.

For the past few years, we’ve held a 7-minute morning meditation as a daily anchor for our community, Balanced Planet Yoga. It’s a space to pause, breathe, and center before the day begins—whether you’re rolling out of bed or already deep into your morning routine. These sessions are designed to be accessible, grounding, and transformative, offering a small but powerful ritual of stillness amid life’s chaos.Now, we’re making these meditations available to more people, beyond our live 7:30 AM sessions. We know that not everyone can join us in real-time, so we’re sharing these prerecorded meditations from our daily Zoom sessions, allowing you to experience them whenever it fits into your day.Today’s Meditation: Trusting Your Inner WisdomIn this meditation, we explore the power of intuition—that quiet, inner voice that often gets drowned out by doubt and distraction. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself or hesitated to trust your gut, this practice will help you tune in and discern between fear and wisdom. Through breath, visualization, and reflection, you’ll cultivate the ability to listen, trust, and act from a place of deep knowing.🌿 Take just 7 minutes today to reconnect with yourself. Your wisdom is already within—you just have to listen.🔗 Click below to listen and start your day with clarity.📅 Join us live each morning and make this practice part of your routine!

Working with the Breath: Flowing with the RiverEach morning, we come together in meditation—not to force a perfect stillness, but to learn how to flow with what is.Like a river, the breath moves energy through the body, bringing in fresh life—prana—and carrying away what we no longer need. This practice isn’t about forgetting or forcing change. It’s about acceptance.The river moves as it moves—sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent. Can we meet it with presence and compassion?Today’s Meditation: Accepting the Flow of NowIn this practice, we use the imagery of the river to guide our breath—welcoming prana in, directing it where it’s needed, and allowing it to clear space. Instead of resisting what arises, we simply acknowledge and accept.🌿 Why listen? Learn to work with the breath, rather than trying to control it. Cultivate acceptance and compassion for whatever arises. Direct energy to areas that need healing or release. Trust that whatever unfolds is exactly as it should be.There is no “wrong” experience in meditation. Each breath is part of the perfect unfolding of your moment-to-moment experience.🌊 Let the river carry you. Breathe with it. Accept it. Trust it.🔗 Click below to listen.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or listen anytime.

Why Letting Go is Essential Here’s a compelling description for Day 2 Guided Meditation: Letting Go with the River, incorporating the importance of releasing stress and trusting the flow of life:Life moves fast, and our minds are constantly holding on— to worries, past experiences, and the endless to-do lists that pull us in every direction. But true peace doesn’t come from control; it comes from learning to let go.This is why we meditate each morning—to create space, to release, and to reconnect. Through breath and presence, we remember that life isn’t about gripping tightly—it’s about flowing with ease.Today’s Meditation: Letting Go with the RiverThis guided practice builds on yesterday’s meditation, using the visualization of a river to help you release thoughts, emotions, and tension. Imagine placing your worries onto floating leaves and watching them drift downstream. No force, no struggle—just effortless letting go.🌿 Why listen? Learn to observe thoughts without attachment or judgment. Release stress and overwhelm through gentle breathwork. Cultivate a sense of ease and clarity to carry into your day. Feel the support of the present moment, where life is actually happening.Let the river take what no longer serves you. Trust the flow.🔗 Click below to listen and start your day with lightness.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or listen anytime.

Why a Morning Meditation Practice Matters How you start your morning sets the tone for your entire day. A consistent morning ritual creates stability, reduces stress, and helps cultivate presence before the chaos begins. Science tells us that connection is one of the most important factors for a long and happy life—connection to ourselves, our breath, our purpose, and to each other.That’s why we offer this 7-minute morning meditation—a space where our community can begin the day with clarity, intention, and stillness. Whether you join us live at 7:30 AM or listen later, this practice is a reminder that you are not alone—we breathe together, no matter where we are.Today’s Meditation: The River of BreathThis meditation uses the imagery of a flowing river to deepen breath awareness, release tension, and bring clarity to the mind. Your breath is always moving, always available—like a river, it nourishes, cleanses, and carries away what no longer serves you.🌿 Why listen?Ground yourself in the present moment.Cultivate a deep, steady breath for inner peace.Let go of stress and mental clutter.Feel connected—to yourself, your breath, and our community.Take 7 minutes to reset. Your breath is waiting.🔗 Click below to listen and start your day with ease.📅 Join us live each morning at 7:30 AM or tune in anytime.