The truth about writer’s block and how to get past it

by Lisa O'Brien | October 9, 2015 | your yum

I’m back. Writing can be hard; creating anything, really. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in regular correspondence with you. Lots of reasons, including wanting every missive to be fantastic…an experience worthy of your attention. Wanting to...

How summer vacation turns me into a blathering, bawling mess

by Lisa O'Brien | July 8, 2015 | your yum

Breathe. Just breathe. WTF is that? When my head feels like it’s tingling and I’m swelled with reactions to this life? Like I could punch something so hard if I hear another minute of whining and crying and nasty? I have a beautiful life. A funny, smart, handsome...

What’s Your Exhale?

by Lisa O'Brien | June 13, 2015 | your yum

Have you tried meditation and noticed when you close your eyes, your eyes still flutter? I know there are lots of reasons, but for me it’s mostly thinking. Rapid thinking. Mind fluttering. It’s getting harder and harder to be present. I see it in my kids. I see it in...

Conversations With My Belly Fat

by Lisa O'Brien | April 28, 2015 | your yum

Note: The picture above is not my belly, but it’s how I want to feel about mine. The pudge, the folds. How do I cover it up? The moment of truth arrives every morning. When I wake, I remove every article of clothing. I take my retainers out. I remove my fitness...

YumYoga for Operation Smile :)

by Lisa O'Brien | March 28, 2015 | your yum

On Sunday, March 29 I was thrilled to join Siena College’s Club Operation Smile, Melissa Leach and Mary Beth Finnerty in hosting a delicious 90-minute yoga class to benefit a wonderful organization and mission. Every dollar raised goes to Operation Smile, an...

Snow deferral on benefit class for Saint Gregory’s School

by Lisa O'Brien | February 6, 2015 | your yum

Guiding classes like the one listed below are among my favorites. Alas, a big bunch of snow and unsafe driving conditions prompted a cancellation today. No class.   We’ll be rescheduling for March or April and will post. If you’d like to be notified...

My Desire Map workshops start…NOW!

by Lisa O'Brien | January 8, 2015 | your yum

The Desire Map started out as a book, written by Danielle LaPorte. From there, it became the driver of over 500 book clubs around the world. I was thrilled to lead one of those book clubs. From Danielle LaPorte’s website The very first Desire Map book club...

How a wall-dancing video woke me up.

by Lisa O'Brien | January 7, 2015 | your yum

Desire. Freedom. Spirit. Lightness. I like words and the alchemy that comes from merging the soul with what those words mean. Sometimes it happens in a conversation with one of our children, or even through an angry moment. Sometimes it’s hearing a song,...

The Perfect Chaturanga (and downward dog, too)

by Lisa O'Brien | August 21, 2014 | your yum

The other day I went for a walk. A real walk. The kind that my friend and life-altering teacher Jennilee introduced me to: one foot in front of the other; breath in, breath out; other thoughts? Oh, well. Back to the walk. Why does this matter? Because it’s...

You were born to be loved. I’m talking to you.

by Lisa O'Brien | November 25, 2013 | your yum

Have you ever read something and thought the writer was speaking directly to you? Paul Jarvis’ email hit me that way yesterday, and I thought to myself: It’s time. Time to stop worrying about, feeling bad about, banging myself over the head about:...