Jennifer Yockey, Wellness

01/19/2026

People keep telling me I’m strong.

I appreciate it, truly. But I need to set the record straight:

I’m not strong. Not even a little bit.

I’ve been sick for a week. I’m navigating one of the hardest transitions of my life. Some days I sit numb in my car before teaching. Other days I can barely respond to a text.

That’s not strength. That’s just Tuesday.

What I do have is grit.

Strength suggests not breaking—a steel rod that doesn’t bend. But I break all the time. In therapy. At 5 AM on my meditation cushion. In savasana with tears streaming into my hair.

Grit is different.

Grit is getting back on your mat when you can barely stand. It’s showing up one more time even when you’re exhausted, scared, and have no idea if it’s going to work.

In recovery, we don’t talk about strength. We talk about willingness. Surrender. Showing up one day—sometimes one breath—at a time.

Yoga teaches us the practice isn’t about the perfect pose. It’s about returning. Returning to breath when the mind wanders. Returning to the mat after we’ve been away. Returning to center when life knocks us sideways.

Some mornings my practice is twenty minutes. Other mornings it’s lying on my bolster remembering how to breathe.

Both count. Both require grit.

And grit doesn’t mean going it alone. Real grit knows when to ask for help. Shows up to the meeting. Texts the sponsor at 11 PM. Lets community hold space when you can’t hold it yourself.

You don’t have to be strong.

You can be tired and still show up.
You can be afraid and still take the next right action.
You can be broken and still be brave.

Not because we’re strong.
Because we have grit.

Om Shanti—I honor the grit in you, the part that keeps returning even when it’s hard. 🙏

01/02/2026

2026
Do you have a word for the New Year?
Tell me! ⚓️

01/01/2026

11/13/2025

Transformation

It is always happening. But many times not on our timeline.
We want it to happen faster.
We don’t want to feel uncomfortable.

But transformation takes time.
It’s messy.
It’s on its own schedule & timetable.

I had a client say this morning “this feels manageable”.
It wasn’t fixed,
it was still less than ideal.
But, in the moment, it was manageable.

11/13/2025

🌙 Evening routine check-in.

For me, structure creates freedom and ease. My non-negotiables for evening peace
🌙 no electronics in the bedroom
🌙 washing my face and facial serum
🌙 cleaning up so “morning Jen” can just BE
🌙 coffee prepped for the am
🌙 screens off and brain dump 30 minutes before lights out

What does your evening routine look like? Or are you beginning to build one?

03/05/2025

How much can I handle?

In a world where we are currently being exposed to threats on a regular basis, how do we find the balance between self-care and action?

In many ways, this is a very personal question. It is about asking yourself, “how much can I handle?” in other words, ask yourself at what point does reading the news or scrolling social media lead you to feel paralyzed in fear, helpless, or despairing for our world?

While I believe it is important to stay informed about the current happenings and potential threats in our world, if we ourselves become dysregulated, then we cannot participate in active solutions to make this world a better place.

Asking yourself “how much can I handle?” is a way to pace yourself and in itself is a way to ensure that you can show up for yourself, your loved ones, your community, and this world as a source of goodness.

Perhaps you have a feeling inside that says what right do I have to take good care of myself when there is so much suffering and pain all around me? I’ll offer once again that depriving yourself of nurturing self-care not only depletes your resources but reduces the likelihood that you can show up in a kind or compassionate manner for others.

And, our world so badly needs all of the kindness and compassion we can give.

Now, the question becomes, what allows you to take the best possible care for your mind, body, heart, and nervous system?

For me, there are certain non-negotiables that are part of my daily routine. These include getting on my yoga mat, meditating, taking my daily walk around the lake at sunset, and taking the time to reflect on at least one thing that brings me a sense of gratitude or appreciation. Reaching out for connection is also so important, to not feel so alone with what is happening in our world.

The final question is “what can I do to make this world a better place?” How can I speak up against hurtful actions, how can I protect the vulnerable, how can I care for my fellow human beings? These actions of care can be small, every day actions, such a random acts of kindness to remind each other that goodness exists. Or you might be called to take large scale actions.

Most importantly, it all adds up. I’ll close my reflections with a quote from Rabbi Tarfon, in Prikei Abot

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now.
Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

03/03/2025

March 11-18
Whether you are new to meditation or exploring different avenues to cultivate inner and outer peace:

Exploring the depth and breadth of the art of meditation across diverse traditions, approaches, and methods

01/21/2025

Have you read The Let Them Theory?
Listened to Mel Robbins podcast?