A Gorgeous Messy Life

Anna Folmer has had a lifetime of opportunity. European-born, she has lived and raised her children on three continents: North America, Asia, and Europe. Through decades of living worldwide, integrating into new communities and cultures, and raising kids Anna's yoga practice has both grounded and propelled her. Over 25 years, Anna has taught in local gyms, boutique studios, and hotels; under coconut trees, on the Autobahn, and with Afghan refugees in an Austrian alpine village. And like many practitioners, upon the pandemic, Anna started teaching yoga online. This book is a selection of edited blogs that accompanied her online classes from 2020 - 2024 and that resonated with her international audience. Some skipped the class, but stayed for the story. The blogs reflect the reality of trying to lead a global life aligned with yogic teachings and values. Anna finds treasure in fleeting friendships. She knows that among roughly 2.000 yoga poses, she can find many that work while her broken leg heals. She appreciates both the directness of Germans and Austrians, and the effusiveness of Americans. But Anna is not perfect. Things get messy: A son fails a stretch test in school (not the finest yogi mama moment). Anna is crushed by the meanest person she's ever met. She is tasting Empty Nest and doesn't like it. Anna draws on her yoga practice and all of her cultural experiences to meet every moment as an opportunity. Her blogs show us, without telling us, how to do that with lightness and gratitude.