I want to take a moment to acknowledge who is showing up with intention, presence, and heart inside this space. This week, I’m honoring @Danielle I. And @Lil Bernstein for the way you ladies engage, observe and contribute thoughtful insight to the community. Conscious communication isn’t about saying the perfect thing it’s about being aware, respectful, and willing to connect in a real way and that energy matters here. Thank you for bringing your presence into Kashmir Hands Academy. If you’ve been quietly reading, this is your reminder: Even one word one thought one share is enough to begin. 💬 Come join the conversation when you’re ready.

One of the most powerful skills I’ve built, wasn’t massage. It was learning how to stay calm when someone else is not. There are moments behind the scenes where I receive emails that could easily pull me into stress, reaction, or anxiety. And I used to feel that. The tight chest. The overthinking. The urge to defend, explain, or fix everything immediately. But I don’t operate like that anymore.Now, I pause. I go back to the tools I teach inside my Communication Classroom. • I slow my breathing • I regulate my body first • I create space before I respond • I choose clarity over reaction Because not every message deserves your emotion. And not every situation requires you to lose your peace to prove your point. This is what real nervous system work looks like in real life. Not just on a yoga mat. Not just in silence. But in the moments that used to trigger you. And if you’re someone who: • Feels anxious after reading certain messages • Replays conversations in your head • Struggles with how to respond without overreacting I’m going to start sharing more of these tools inside this space. Because your power is not in controlling others. It’s in mastering yourself. If this is something you want to get better at?

Let me say something that most people won’t. You are not struggling because you’re broken. You’re struggling because you’ve been trying to regulate your life in an environment that keeps dysregulating you. Read that again. Shared custody. Anxiety. Feeling disconnected from yourself. Financial pressure. Losing your sense of purpose. That’s not something you “fix” in a 50-minute session once a week. ( Believe me I Love a good psychotherapist) That’s something you retrain daily. And here’s what I’ve seen over and over again after walking this path many times myself and with others: Even the strongest, high-functioning parents who hold everything together and we still need support. Still need tools. Still need a space where they can exhale without being judged or misunderstood. Because strength without support eventually turns into exhaustion. Inside this community, we focus on what actually changes your life: • How to regulate your nervous system in real time so do the meditations and see if it leads you to exploring more mindfulness • How to communicate without losing yourself (even in high-conflict situations), This is my specialty bc I get bullied at least every week or several times in a week and it's horrilble. We can talk about this in our meeting. • How to rebuild your identity when you feel disconnected. This comes down to how much you really value your health and where you prioritize self care and love • How to create peace internally even when life externally feels unstable. It will all come together when your season blooms after practice practice practice. This is why I’m so intentional about the Conscious Communication Classroom and the meditation practices inside here. Because most people are reacting from patterns they don’t even realize they’re in. And once you see it you can shift it.

This time of year is always filled with the chaos the season brings! Please take the time to pause, reflect, and remember all the blessings you have around you and in your life. This is the time to remember it is better to give than to receive. The gift of friendship, of love, of empathy, of laughter, of compassion and the gift of time together with loved ones and friends are some of the most easiest to give and the most appreciated. Wishing all my family and friends a joyful and blessed holiday season and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Hi. I'm Lil. I met Dina years and years ago when she worked at North Shore Fitness where she was the yoga instructor. I instantly bonded with her; her calmness, her voice, her inner being. I enjoyed visiting her at her home in Franklin Square where she gave me massages! Oh how I long to have that once again! I've lived on LI my entire life. I worked as a Special Education teacher during the school year, and at TOH Camp ANCHOR for the summers. My husband and I met at college and at ANCHOR. We married in 1983 and have two wonderful adult children. My son and daughter in law live in Floral Park, and my daughter lives in Long Beach. We are all SJU BB fans (both men and women) and have been season tickets of the NY Islanders since their existence. Love that Dina is doing this; and love the idea of connecting in this way!