My name is Val Boyko and I live outside of Philadelphia, USA. I’m originally from Scotland and hold dual citizenship. You can take the girl out of Scotland but you can’t take Scotland out of the girl! This blog came to life one morning in 2013. I woke up with these words in my mind: “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”
Find Your Middle Ground blog is where I get to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights and connect with wonderful people like yourself.
Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.
Yoga
I began my yoga journey in 2002 and studied yoga at East Eagle Yoga, in the lineage of Swami Rama and the Yoga Institute of Mumbai. In 2012 I began my Kripalu Yoga journey with 500 hours advanced teacher training. Since then I become certified in teaching Kripalu Yin Yoga and Kripalu Restorative Yoga. I also attended a course with Dr Timothy McCall on alignment and safe practice for teachers. I am a certified Reiki practitioner and have over 20 years of experience as a career, emotional intelligence and life coach. Now officially retired, I continue to have fun and keep learning by teaching yoga online and holding workshops in the garden.
Whether you want to discover the benefits of yoga for heathy aging, are seeking a relaxing mindful practice to reduce stress and connect with your Center of Being, or are coming back to yoga, I offer classes and individual sessions tailored to your needs. See my Yoga Community Page for the latest offerings.
Mentoring and Coaching
I enjoy meeting with individuals who are looking for insight into their own spiritual practice and seek guidance on their path through the highs and lows of life.
I believe that we can all transform ourselves and the world around us. It starts with getting to know ourselves more fully, through self inquiry. When we learn to appreciate who we truly are, we find compassion for ourselves and others. Helping others is a good place to start, but the real work is ours to do for ourselves. We must find our Middle Ground and follow our heart and soul. See my Coaching Page to explore more.
This poem by Chade-Meng Tan (Google’s Jolly Good Fellow and author of Search Inside Yourself) is my inspiration:
With deep inner peace
And great compassion, self compassion and fun
Aspire daily to save the world.
But do not strive to achieve it.
Just do whatever comes naturally.
Because when aspiration is strong
And compassion blossoms,
Whatever comes naturally,
Is also the right thing to do.
Thus you,
The wise compassionate being,
Save the world while having fun.
Namaste
Val
You are a true inspiration Val! Thank You for your wisdom and grace.
LikeLike
Ditto and thank you Linda!
Val x
LikeLike
Thank you Val for stopping by my blog. 🙂
LikeLike
And vice versa!
LikeLike
It feels good to connect Suz!
LikeLike
You have a really interesting blog here. Found you through Sue’s interview Fellow Blogger. You just got a new follower.
Irene
LikeLike
Hi Irene, So happy to have you here. Welcome! Val x
LikeLike
Hi Val, Nice perspective on the highs and lows. Graceful is another way of flowing with life. Thanks for following my blog. I look forward to your insights. Brad
LikeLike
Thanks Brad. I love “graceful is another way of flowing with life.” Val x
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Putting a little Sunshine in your life with the Sunshine Award. Details in my post
http://suzjones.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/sunshine-on-a-rainy-day/
Bless you my friend.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Sue! I am honored and tickled pink.Val x
LikeLike
Hi Val, I just love that philosophy about the high, lows and middle-ground. A huge inspiration for today. Thank you!
LikeLike
Hi Jean, Its lovely to have you here. I’m glad you feel inspired. Welcome! Val
LikeLike
Thanks Val! I’ve no doubt I’ll feel inspired.
LikeLike
I enjoy your blog, Val! Appreciate the theme of centeredness, balance, and harmony. Mooing my best to accept my highs and lows – key word bring “accept.”
See you in class!!
John
LikeLike
John, welcome! Its good to have you visiting. Thank you for your affirming words. One step at a time will take you there. Namaste
LikeLike
Thank you so much for following my blog, and for your wonderful interactions so far. I am so grateful to have found you–I love your blog and perspective and energy. All of it really resonates with me. And I lived in Philly for a couple of years in graduate school too! I look forward to reading more of your thoughts!!
LikeLike
Thank you! To our journey ahead 🙂
LikeLike
I am so happy to hear you found me through Nancy’s blog Val, she writes some great stuff! Thanks for following my blog and I must say, I’m looking forward to following you too..
LikeLike
Thank you Barb! As a mum to 3 welsh terriers and an animal lover I’m looking forward to your blog as well! Welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Hello Val! Thank you for following my blog! I’m looking forward to exploring and following yours too :)!
With blessings,
Meliza
LikeLike
Thank you! Me too Meliza 🙂
LikeLike
What an inspirational blog you have. I am so glad to meet you, and thank you for following my blog.
LikeLike
Linda, its my pleasure to welcome a fellow nature lover! I look forward to your photographs and words 🙂
LikeLike
This is such a lovely and positive blog. Following!
LikeLike
Thank you Evelyn! Happy to have you here 🙂
Val
LikeLike
I came to investigate where your Scottish self lives these days ~ we lived in Cherry Hill NJ for 8 years, just over the river from Philly.
We had a fun time visiting Philadelphia ~ Dickens’ Pub, Liberty Bell, Reading Market, Rittenhouse Square, Philly Zoo, Elfreth’s Alley, etc.
LikeLike
We may have been almost neighbors Nancy! I live 20 miles from center Philly in the western suburbs. It feels like country, but is close enough to town if needs be! The geographic middle ground I guess… haha! Thank you for stopping by my Welcome page 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Val. There are some pretty areas around Philly. We especially loved Bucks County with all the old stone buildings.
LikeLike
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award! For the full details, please see here: http://mylightbag.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/blog-award/ All the best, Polina
LikeLike
Thank you Polina for being such a supporter and nominating me for this award. I really am honored!
One of my philosophies at this stage in my life is to not acquire things and to practice letting go. I hope you can understand if I gracefully decline the award but give you a thank you hug instead.
<>
Val xo
LikeLike
You certainly know how to let go!
LikeLike
Very nice and inspiring blog, Val! Thanks for following “Known is a drop, Unknown is an Ocean”. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting here Ganesh. You share such wisdom from the sages. I look forward to continuing this thread of connection.
Namaste
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Val for your kind words! My pleasure. 🙂
LikeLike
thanks for your visit to my blog c.of.l. – and your comment. I never expected to have to write such a post. It came about due to constant speedy likes, whereby the post was published, then within a second, or so, i’d have 3-4 likes… I then understood the post had not been read. I hope the post will be of help to many new to blogging.. About you, looks like you have a very informative blog here. No time now to read, but will do so during the new few days.. thanks you eve.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting here Eve and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it 🙂
LikeLike
Loved your blog, Val…will be back for more 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting here Rachna! I hope we will connect more.
Val x
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful and inspirational blog. Your words on the “highs and lows” is what i too believe in. Will keep in touch. Regards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dilip for your kind words. I look forward to connecting more! Val
LikeLike
Great blog and I will be following.
As a retiree, I have let go of my past and develop a new chapter of my life which I have done and I have discovered happiness, contentment, and I re-centered myself by simply accepting my new chapter in life..
Again, great posting.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting! Its wonderful to have time to pause and find meaning in life after years of work. May this chapter be the best! Mine definitely is 😉
Val x
LikeLike
hi val, thanks for reading and following my words. i like the look of your site, you seems to have such a wonderful approach to life. i look forward to reading more – best, beth (ps, i’m 1/4 scottish )
LikeLike
Thank you Beth! That explains why you are so good looking 😉
I look forward to connecting more.
Val x
LikeLike
ha! thanks, val )
LikeLike
Hello Val…
I just wanted to catch up and say “thank you. I appreciate your ‘follow’, knowing how many interesting and entertaining blogs out there.
Blogging since June 2013, my aim is to deliver an eclectic offering of posts, from my ‘point n shoot’ attempts at basic photography, to the sharing of my travel adventures over the decades, as well as day to day happenings here on our fruit farm in southern Turkey. I also add my observations on life and lighter-hearted stuff thrown in for good measure.
The blog has grown to some 1150 posts now; so if you are at a loose end one day, you’d be most welcomed to stay a while and have a trawl through. There are plenty of drop-down categories within the menu to help in said digging process. Saying that, if you have any comments, suggestions or concerns, feel free to let me know.
Thanks again and hope you have a great day…
UNCLE SPIKE
uncle.spikes.adventures1@gmail.com
LikeLike
Hey there Uncle Spike. Thank you for visiting here and sharing more about your blog and approach. I love eclectic and will enjoy exploring!
Here’s to more interconnectedness. 🙂
p.s. I love your contented camel gravatar!
LikeLike
Haha, thanks Val. Yep, fell in love with him back in ’07 and that was that…
In which case, you might like this one too then – a spot of guest writing I did recently on camels 🙂
http://unclespikes.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/camels/
LikeLike
Hi, nice to meet you! I like your words “about” 🙂 and indeed you have interesting blog! Happy blogging. Bye. Kamila
LikeLike
Thank you Kamila for visiting and taking time to read some of my recent posts. Its great to have you here. I look forward to sharing more with you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very inspiring philosophy. To me middle ground means a balance in life . Thank you and regards.
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you fing this inspiring!
LikeLike
Val, what a wonderful connection. All a result of your recent decision to follow Learning from Dogs. Thank you. Jean and I are a couple of ex-Londoners who met in Mexico and ended up living in Oregon – with our 9 dogs, 4 cats and 4 horses! Would love to have a guest post from you from time to time, bonny lass!
LikeLike
I haven’t been called bonny lass for a while … and I thank you Paul 🙂
You have quite a menagerie ❤
I look forward to sharing doggie wisdom for the soul.
Val x
LikeLike
After I hit the ‘publish’ key, I realised that it should have been spelt, “Bonnie”! But there’s a Southerner for you! 😉
Yes, feel free to repost anything you come across over on Learning from Dogs. Re the ‘zoo’, when I met Jean in December, 2007 she had been living down in San Carlos, Mx. for many years with her late husband, Ben, rescuing and re-homing Mexican street dogs, of which there were many! There were 14 dogs in her home then!
I had been invited to spend Christmas in San Carlos with Suzann, the sister of a long-term Californian friend of mine. Suzann and Don, her husband, had a second home there and Su and Jean were friends and bot actively involved in finding new homes for ex-feral dogs.
Jean and I just had, and still have, a magical relationship from the start. We were born 23 miles apart in London!
Of our animals here, only 3 dogs and 2 horses are not ex-rescue animals. (Drop in here to read about our rescue horses: http://learningfromdogs.com/2014/06/02/celebrating-ben-and-ranger/
Whoops! Went on a tad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi,
I’m Tokoni i’m a student and poet. Its nice to meet you i would like to invite you to my blog, http://www.insanitybeautiful.wordpress.com if you’re interested. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Tokoni – Thank you for stopping by! Good luck with your fashion forward blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val. Congratulations I’ve nominated your lovely blog for the One Lovely Blog Award. I hope you will accept. Details here: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/one-lovely-blog-award-thank-you-2/
LikeLike
Thank you Marj. I appreciate you thinking of me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by my blog Val. Yours is full of inspiration and a joy to read 🙂
LikeLike
Thank You Robert for taking the time to stop by here. I look forward to connecting more with you 🙂
LikeLike
Hello! You have very excellent blog! It is a lot of interesting information! I enjoy you! Continue also! The best regards! – Vlad 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Vlad! Its good to see your here. Thank you for your kind words 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome))
LikeLike
Thank you so much for following. It’s always good to have a fellow traveler along. And I expect if I lived near Philly, I’d search you out for yoga. Alas….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Janet for your kind words and the follow! Always lovely to have a fellow yogini here 🙂
LikeLike
You went and done it. You went and followed Uncle Bardie’s Stories & Such. You are now one of Uncle Bardie’s Band of Merry Followers. Just so you know, Uncle Bardie’s a hoot, and he’s got quite a few whoppers in his bag of stories. Some funny, some not so funny. But all told for your entertainment. Thank you for following his blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! Looking forward to our connecting Ron 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful website Val!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Carolina!
LikeLike
I am looking forward to reading your posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for following my blog Val. And for the likes. I am excited about following yours as well! I love what I have read so far. And beautiful images as well. I think we are kindred souls. Thank you for connecting with me through cyberspace. Isn’t modern technology amazing!?!
With love,
Suzanne
learningtocry.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Suzanne – its so good to find our paths crossing. I look forward to being on this journey with you. xo
LikeLike
Hello Val! I am so thrilled to have stumbled across your blog. I definitely believe that finding middle ground is an imperative part of becoming a truly whole and happy person. I look forward to following you and learning all that I can.
Please stop by my place and give it a browse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello there! So glad you found your way here. May there be a pot of gold for you to explore 😊
I will be over there shortly!
LikeLike
Thank you! I’ve already started to search for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much RNL! I look forward to more connections and shared inspirations.
xo
LikeLike
As do I…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those lovely words you woke up with….exquisite. Thank you for sharing and being.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Yayo 🙂 Thank you for being here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val, I stopped by today after reading many of your excellent posts on Ann Koplow’s blog. I’m a therapist and Buddhist meditator, as you are a yoga instructor and life coach. I bring meditation and Buddhism to my work, and I find that psychology informs my understanding of Buddhism. Nice to make your acquaintance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So nice to see you here Sonnische. I look forward to more connection!
LikeLike
A beautiful blog it is!!! I connect to it so much!!! Lovely indeed ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nightingale. I’m happy you connected to it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello there! I just wanted to say that you have an incredible blog, and that I find your content insightful, refreshing, and apt!
LikeLike
Val, thank you for liking my post! And what a beautiful blog you have. I love your tagline “Life is a series of highs and lows . . . ” Very wise words to live by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Carol for your kind words and stopping by!
LikeLike
Namaste. Yoga definitely balances me, and helps me find my middle ground. Nice to meet you here! I grew up in S. New Jersey (just half an hour from Philly), and now live in New England.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there roughwighting! Good to see you. Thank you for stopping by. 🙏
LikeLike
Nice knowing you Val. You are very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope to find some solace here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Indira. May you find your middle ground and the peace within. 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try dear but hardship of life sometimes depress me. Then again I stand up and try.
LikeLike
In the getting up we find our strength and courage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Val, thanks so much for all your kind words and comments on my site, and THEN choosing to follow along.
I imagine the folks you coach consider themselves blessed. Keep shining the light, sister!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words Sandy. I look forward to more connections 😎
LikeLike
Hi Val,
I really enjoyed reading about you, and especially how you worded your approaches to yoga and coaching -intertwining them beautifully. I’m sure you are incredibly good at both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Denise for your kind words. They are my passion! 😊
LikeLike
Hi, Val. I discovered your beautiful blog from a comment you left on another poetry blog. I view it as serendipity since it brought me to a blog that has a lot of appeal. I look forward to exploring more of your work. ~ Best wishes, Mary
LikeLike
Thank you so much Mary for stoping by … and your kind words! I will enjoy connecting more as well. 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
Hey Val! thank you so much for stepping by my blog and leaving an awesome comment! You are truly inspiring to me 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Enrico! I enjoy your perspectives too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Val, I’m wondering if I may use your Award Free Blog image if you don’t mind? You took the words right out of my mouth, exactly how I feel! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Stacey. Feel free to use this image. I found it on google images..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Val! I appreciate it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Val – thank you so much for visiting and following Beauty Along the Road. Reading your About statement, I realize we have a lot in common. I am originally from Germany and have lived in the US for decades – but I am still German, just like you are still Scottish 🙂 Even though, they call me “the American” when I visit my folks in Germany. I love yoga and have been doing it for over 20 yrs. I also re-tooled as a life coach (after a career as a psychologist). I was in Scotland about 3 yrs ago and fell in love with it. It gets under your skin and seeps into your bones….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kind words and the follow. 💛
I look forward to connecting more. There is a special bound between expats … And Scottish blood of course 😉
LikeLike
I just found you through a comment left on one of Nancy’s posts.. You really have some wonderful words of wisdom here on your blog. 🙂 Sylvia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Sylvia, and thank you for the follow! I look forward to more connections 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Thanks for your follow too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like your quote at the end as today I am trying to find my middle ground. Thank you for stopping by my blog to like a post. I shall enjoy exploring your lovely blog!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words Jo! I’m glad it resonated with you. I look forward to more connection and conversations 💛
LikeLike
Val I’ve nominated you to take part in a three day quote challenge here’s the link if you’d like to have a go – no pressure whatsoever to do so – https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/quote-challenge-day-2-nikos-zazantzakis/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Marje for thinking of me 💛 This a busy time for me, so I will gracefully decline. xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
No worries Val, thanks for letting me know. x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Val, for following.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely tone and calming vibe here. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Practica 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Val, very nice to meet and learn about you. Thank you for following my blog, I will certainly take time to visit yours as well. I hope your day is a happy one! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Terry! I’m looking forward to more connections. Enjoy this special day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to discover and follow our beautiful blog
Anita
https://femmeetinfos.wordpress.com
LikeLike
Thank you Anita 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi.. Your writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader . The on-looker who passes by has the feeling of your writing being rained upon . Not the feeling that it is raining :)! But definitely it pours on more.. I am looking forward to read more from you.
Ishu 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Aishwariya for your insightful and kind words. My intention is to connect at whatever level of understanding and awareness the reader has.
Thank you for the follow. I enjoy reading your inquiring and informative posts!
I have to ask .. and feel somewhat ignorant .. Is Ishu your nickname or a salutation?
🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Thanks for the follow back. I really appreciate it. Well, that’s my nick name. Aishwariya as ISHU* 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it Ishu 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
😆😃
LikeLike
Centered! https://vimeo.com/89302848
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wes Anderson has his own way doesn’t he David! Thanks for the share…. and brining to my attention how most of the photos I choose are centered. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Followed your blog, check mine out sometime.
LikeLike
Just found your blog. Looking forward to following you on this journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Gabe. Good to have you along for the ride 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! And thank YOU for visiting my little corner of the world and following along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that iconic gravatar of yours 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found your blog as I’m new to yoga and I recently started doing yoga every day. ‘Middle ground’ resonated with me. In therapy I have been doing, it is expected that you find the middle ground in life, between the extremes of emotion and rationality. It’s a very helpful philosophy.
I look very much forward to reading more of you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ann for your kind words. Yes. Let’s keep connected. ❣️💛
LikeLike
Hi – came here from Jim Borden’s link – and glad I did – pleased to meet you and I really like the idea of the waves of life – 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you are here. Thank you 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Val,
I enjoyed your Chanticleer photos and then it dawned on me you may live near me. Sure enough you took photos at Chanticleer in Wayne PA. I have been there and I live near the Philly suburbs. Did you know I am a philly person? Glad to discover this connection after seeing you on WP all these years, lol!
peace,
Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh Linda! We are neighbors. So funny to find out after all this time. I live in Newtown Square – just round the corner from Chanticleer. Happy coincidence 💛🙏💛
LikeLiked by 1 person