Brain Health

Twigs and Trash

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In order to grow we must first remove what it is in the way.

For many years I have been teaching the concept that much like a garden we have outside, before we can plant anything and expect it to grow, we first have to remove all the old stuff, the trash and the things that are cluttering the soil. Today, as I was doing that exact literal thing in my backyard raking leaves and removing last years dead plants that were once so vibrant, I was reminded of the conversation I had this week with a group of men who have traumatic brain injures.

I teach this topic every March, regardless of who is in my classes because I think no matter who you are and what your life experience is, we all have something that is cluttering up our heart and therefore limiting the potential we have to grow. This might be something like fear, disappointment, regret, guilt, shame, resentment, anger or any other feeling and emotion that we have carried around for days or decades.

As I was guiding a meditation about visualizing a garden and seeing the old growth, the twigs and the trash, I asked them each to see a garden in their heart that may also have some things that could be getting in the way of growth.

I shared with my ‘frat house’ that they have fondly referred to themselves as, that I have some disappointment that is taking up space in my own heart. I carry it day after day, year after year and despite all my attempts to pull it out, it seems to have a root system that is deep and new shoots pop up and take over my heart at times.

As we had a discussion about this, they called me out on it and the wise man who developed a life changing brain tumor at age 23 gave me the best insight on how to manage all the little twigs and trash that take up space. He is turning 60 in a a few weeks and following his diagnosis while in his final year of college his life has been a series of assisted living settings and long term support. He lost his independence and so much more, and yet is so wise.

Are you ready for this? In my humbleness, I asked how does one remove all the “twigs and trash” from our hearts. I asked how do I remove the disappointment?

He shared that you can never fully rid of every twig or piece of trash that has landed in the garden, instead you have to learn to manage and grow around them.

Huh, I said.

Tell me more, I said.

He went on to say that the remnants of the the “twigs” and “trash” will likely always be there and sometimes they may stick out of the soil and poke you but our job is to plants things around them so the beauty takes over.

Again, I asked how.

The wise teacher said:

  • forgiveness
  • acceptance
  • gratitude

When we forgive ourselves and others we remove so much of the garbage that fills our heart. This removes resentment, bitterness, and what-if thinking. When we accept was IS we no longer grieve for what might have been which brings presence to growing today. And finally, when we focus on being grateful we see all that we have, not all that we do not have.

How’s that for insightful?

It’s not so much about removing the parts of our heart that impede growth, but rather moving them aside through forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude so that we make space for something far more amazing to grow.

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Like I Matter

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Can you say that your actions give light to the darkness that others experience?

Alone somewhere in an assisted living group home sits a woman who like many I get to see had a life changing event where everything that she knew was instantly gone. She lost her family, her job, her home, and possibly her purpose.

Everyday is the same existence; eat, sleep, eat, maybe occasionally go into the community, eat, sleep, repeat. There is never a visitor and never anything that provides meaning to her day. I show up once per month to attempt some group yoga classes, however, most of the women living in this house decline to attend, except this lovely lady I will call Patricia.

On my last visit I had the opportunity to work 1:1 with her and address some of her challenges. I knew she had a painful shoulder from her accident and subsequent surgeries so I wanted to see if I could get some pain relief and mobility into her shoulder. Like all my sessions, there is a lot of dialogue and attempts to find connection. I know from my nearly two decades of teaching yoga to unique populations, the one thing that they want more than any physical practice is to feel part of something and to feel seen.

Isn’t that a universal desire? I believe our greatest human need it to simply be seen.

For the hour that we spent together, I learned about her accident and what her life was life before the event. I learned about her dreams, her mistakes, her shame and her hopes for her life. I learned what it means to her to be a mom and a grandmother. I learned that we are the same age, minus a few months difference. I learned about her hard upbringing and getting lost in her youth. I learned the details of her accident that was nearly thirty years ago.

For thirty years, Patricia has lived in this same existence. Thirty years is more than half her life. Half of her life has been lived alone, isolated, without meaning and incredibly lonely.

Towards the end of our session, I wanted to have a closer look at her shoulder and see if I would be able to get some movement and comfort into her body. I whipped out my trusted essential oil blend for pain and began to apply it slowly and gently to her arm and shoulder area. Human touch has a powerful effect and is so under implemented in our sterile world. No words were exchanged as I gently moved her arm in circles and into extension and flexion. I was careful to not do much as I did not know for sure the extent of her surgery and rehab.

I asked her, “how does that feel?”

She looked at me, and with tears in her eyes, she said, “like I matter”.

I rarely show my emotions, especially with my students. I am incredibly careful and cognizant of not coming across as a person who pities them or feels “bad” for them. That is not what they want, but her words struck my heart and tears filled my eyes instantly.

Can you imagine feeling so lonely and forgotten that simply having one person pay attention to you for thirty minutes gives you the feedback that you truly do matter?

Her answer had nothing to do with her shoulder pain and everything to do with her heart pain. I knew that in that instant, I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and she gave me such a gift that day.

I continue to think about how my actions remind people that they do matter. I get to be the giver of goodness. I get the privilege of sharing my day with them and learning how to make a difference in the lives of others.

When was the last time you felt like you matter? When was the last time you helped someone see that they matter? You just never know how your actions are influencing others. Can you say that your actions give light to the darkness that others experience?

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Living My Manifesto

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It seems many people have opinions on other peoples business model, and the two most common statements I get as it relates to my yoga business is 1) I’d never drive that far for a class or student, and 2) I would never teach a class for that little of a rate (usually followed by a laundry list of all the trainings and education they have).

Here’s the thing. I’m not in it for the money, but the money is always there. I’m not in it for the fame although I am booked solid week after week and literally have no room in my schedule for more. I’m not in it for the ego, yet I know that I make an incredible difference in the lives of many.

Why do I drive hundreds of miles a day only to find my student still in bed because staff didn’t bother to wake him up? Because I said I would and because when he did decide to get up, together we created a beautiful session that included him doing something he hasn’t done in decades. This incredibly special student was injured at age 25 and his college roommate continues to write him a letter every single week and they are now in their mid 50’s. My student actually wrote him a letter back! Remember, yoga is defined as union and it doesn’t have to include pretzel shapes with our bodies.

I do it because it is service—which to me is defined as doing something without an attachment to personal gain. I do it because it is my gift. It is purpose. I do it because this is the manifesto my business and life is structured around.

The minute I start calculating how much money I am going to make, I have stepped out of service.

And do you want to know what? The money is always there.

I’d much rather show up within the foundation of my manifesto than seek out fame and fortune. That isn’t what I am about. I am about service and becoming the best version of myself through those I humbly serve.

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Grounded Foundation

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It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time. ~ David Allen Coe

This time of year is ideal for getting back into ourselves after a summer season of play, vacations, kids home, and way less structure. This is the time where we reclaim our sense of self and rediscover the aspects of ourselves that support us in our everyday life.

You may know if you stop here often that I believe in the power of aroma to shift our chemical response in our brain. We can influence our state of arousal and our emotional state simply by smelling something. How cool is that?

As you experience a more predictable schedule and life begins to resume some sort of normalcy, take a few minutes to consider the four walls, or four main roots of a tree, that represent your foundation. This is the scaffolding which supports all the other parts of our home, or tree, during times of turbulence. 

Here are some ideas; faith, service, accountability, kindness, diligence, love, fulfillment, action, compassion, etc. 

Not sure where to start? Grab one of these blends, take 4-5 deep breaths, apply it to your spine and under your nose and then listen. You already know…you just need to listen.

By the way, check out the emotional benefits of these oils:

  • Douglas Fir.This one invites you to invoke your high wisdom and learn from the past experiences and people who may have crossed your path. This essential oil is perfect for turning inward in the season of more introspection.
  • Frankincense.Frankincense asks you to welcome in feelings of protection, wisdom, discernment, and a spiritual awakening. This sacred essential oil invites individuals to shed the lower vibration feelings that are often negative and draining. This truly brings our your own magnificence.
  • Ho Wood. This peaceful oil brings out a sense of calm and helps to quiet the mind. By clearing the mind of anxious thoughts or simply clutter, we can fine tune into the deepest parts of who we are. This helps us to live in alignment with our principles and aspects of our foundation. 
  • Blue Tansy. This one is a powerful aroma that helps to bring out inspiration and the committed response of tacking action. This helps to be more purposeful and responsible, which is such a beautiful aspect to a solid constitution. Blue tansy welcomes in a sense of freedom and sense of walking towards your deepest dreams and desires. 
  • Blue Chamomile.This sweet and delicate flower is commonly known as German chamomile and offers a beautiful blue hue to the oil. Like its counter part Roman Chamomile, this flower oil is the perfect choice for bringing out a peaceful and serene mental state. This brings out emotional harmony and illuminates the wisdom with your soul.
  • Spruce. This stable, grounded aroma brings out an enduring balanced outlook to life while also giving strength through your wisdom. When we soak in this aroma we are reminded of the rhythms and ancient wisdom the earth offers. 
  • Cassia. This bold oil which a friend of cinnamon is warm and earthy as it invites you to feel courageous, strong, self-assured and confident in your authentic self. This brings an embracing warmth to the confident and meaningful connections in our life. 
  • Petrified Wood Chips. It helps to create balance and offers a foundation from which to launch new goals or undertake a different path. This grounding stone helps to calm scattered energies and look closely at the essence of what guides our decisions.

These beautiful oils and solid gemstones will be a constant as your dive into the fall season of a slower pace, a calmer mind, and as you seek out the principles in which your life is sustained by. To learn more about the principles I have chosen for myself, check out this blog post.

You can purchase this blend here and it will soon arrive in your mailbox with lots of grounding love.

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Stress Less

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Hormone imbalances can be caused by heavy loads of stress. Even though we feel like we can carry it all, it’s good to “let that sh!t go”.

It’s hard not to stress over things that are out of our control, to combat this we need to be proactive and not let the cortisol go into overdrive.

I love using these oils to support me when I have temporary feelings of overwhelm creeping up:

💧 Frankincense – grounding
💧 Copaiba – chill in a bottle
💧 Serenity – sweet moments of calm
💧 Balance – need I say more?
💧 Wild Orange – sweet, citrus, tranquility
💧 Northern Escape – forest in a bottle
💧 Magnolia- peaceful florals

What oils do you gravitate towards when you are feeling overwhelmed? You can grab all of these in a bundle for great savings and access to my ongoing education and mentoring plus a personalized wellness plan. Check out this beautiful ebook also to see how versatile essential oils can be for your family. Just these listed can help support sleep, skin, aches and pains, mood and much more. The uses are endless!

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With over fourteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is a E-500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.

Essential Oils & Hormones

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This month, I’m diving into a topic that affects us all, and one I’m particularly acquainted with!

Hormones!! 🥴😳🥱😭😇😡🫣 I had a complete hysterectomy at age 30 and learned in an instant just how important hormones are. Not having ovaries has been a huge challenge. I finally found some things that work!

The journey hasn’t always been easy… and that’s why I’m excited to share a whole months worth of education, tips, practices and products that will help you in your own journey with YOUR hormones!!

Did you know that humans possess 50 hormones? 50!

From adrenal health and blood sugar to fertility and thyroid function, hormones are the root of, well, everything!

•Hormones control or regulate many biological processes and are often produced in very low amounts within the body. •Hormones regulate our blood sugar. Thanks, Insulin!
•Growth and energy production (Growth Hormone and Thyroid Hormone)
Differentiation, growth, and reproduction hormones (Testosterone and Estrogen)

The Endocrine System is made up of all the hormones in the body. This system supports brain and nervous system development, reproduction, metabolism, and blood sugar.

I plan to break down what hormones do for our bodies (male and female) through our life cycle, how to keep them balanced and supported, and living a non-toxic lifestyle to keep the hormone disruptors at bay.

Stay tuned and follow me for a deeper understanding of how hormones influence so much of our life!

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Citrus Bliss Blend

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Mmmm!!! This is one of my all time favorite oils and my easy diffuser “go-to”! I reach for this one in the mornings more than any other and I love to share this blend with my students because it is an instant smile generator. When I share this one, I like to have people close their eyes and imagine being a little kid and hearing the sound of the ice cream truck and then as they inhale this blend, I ask them to think of something on the truck that it smells like and 99% of the time I get an excited “creamsicle!” answer.

Citrus Bliss is also known as the Invigorating Blend. This blend expertly combines the powerful scents of Wild Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Bergamot, Tangerine, and Clementine with a hint of Vanilla Absolute to form this unique and harmonious blend. It is uplifting and an instant mood changer. If you have a case of the grumps, this is a great choice.

While it smells like creamsicle…Citrus Bliss has incredibly potent yet natural cleansing properties. All those citrus oils in one bottle make for a great surface spray cleaner. Diffuse for an uplifting aroma that cleanses the air, or add it to a spray bottle of water to wipe down countertops and sinks.

One of my favorite oils to diffuse with Citrus Bliss is Wintergreen (3 drops each). Another favorite is to add spearmint! Give it a try!

Would you love to add this to your collection? To learn the basics of using oils, check out this awesome ebook, too!

Buy Citrus Bliss

Stress and Naturally Increasing GABA

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A friend schooled me on this recently and I keep going back over the details. Take a peek:

Finding ways to increase GABA naturally to be less stressed out might be an alternative for some people, instead of using medications like benzodiazapines for anxiety.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan are medications commonly prescribed for anxiety issues and other mental health conditions.

One of the reasons these prescription medications are so effective at reducing anxiety is because they are strong GABA activators.

While there is certainly a place for benzodiazepines, especially for patients who struggle with anxiety disorders, they should only be used in the short-term as they can be extremely habit forming, addictive and difficult to quit because of painful symptoms of withdrawal.

Unfortunately, a 2019 study found that the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions in the U.S. increased by about 50 percent between the 10 year period from 2005 to 2015, with most of the prescriptions coming from family physicians.

Some natural ways to increase our GABA include:

  • Cardiovascular exercises like running, brisk walking, swimming, bicycling
  • Yoga and meditation
  • Supplements like green tea, taurine, and magnesium, B6 and zinc
  • Foods like yogurts, citrus fruits, walnuts and almonds, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, shrimp and halibut

I also love the supplement called Adaptiv. The ADPATIV capsules combine specially selected essential oils with clinically studied botanicals to create a powerful soothing, supportive, relaxing formula. Lavender,Coriander, Fennel, and Wild Orange essential oils are included for their mood-boosting and tension-reducing effects. Scelectium, GABA, and Ahiflower are also in the ADAPTIV capsules.

I take one capsule when I am feeling the familiar feelings of stress and anxiousness coming. They also help me sleep well. i actually love the entire line of Adaptiv products all for different reasons and ways to use when life shows up.

Not really sure how botanicals and essentials oil work? Enjoy this free ebook that breaks it down easily.

Adaptive Yoga Teacher Mentoring Program

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The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves. — Steven Spielberg

If you have chosen yoga as your career or path in life, and you are committed to it, the one tool you will need along the way — along with perseverance — is an experienced teacher who is passionate about their work and who truly cares about your personal development. Choosing the right mentor can have great benefits, because this could be the one person who guides you, advises you and encourages you when you need it the most.

I hope that you will consider teaming up with me to learn the aspects to creating a yoga business that centers around the heart and serving others with disabilities or special needs. This mentoring program will be a roadmap for you to learn the techniques and methods of teaching yoga to a unique population and there will be a strong emphasis on neurological conditions.

A mentor may share with a mentee information about his or her own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling. … A mentor may help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources.

What You Will Discover

  • Understanding your why
  • Your own confidence as a teacher
  • Clarity around your offerings
  • Shed comparison and embrace your uniqueness
  • How to develop unique offerings
  • Find a road map as to what is next

Adaptive Yoga Mentoring

Adaptive Yoga is taking the principles of Yoga and making them accessible to any ability. It is important to remember and review the Yoga Sutras and to understand that the physical body is just one aspect to the practice of Yoga. Our intention as Adaptive Yoga teachers is to provide our students the opportunity to experience all of the limbs of Yoga. By learning how to modify the postures to reach any body type or ability, we can bring the practice to them. Sometimes that may mean that you will be moving their paralyzed body for them, or your will be omitting the physical aspect all together.

An important part of Adaptive Yoga is to remember that we are helping people find connection within themselves, a true Union with their mind, body and spirit. When we can help to bridge this connection, we then open a space for them to feel a sense of value and purpose in the world.

Much like a ripple effect of tossing a pebble into a lake, we then encourage the person to take responsibility for their thoughts, words and actions and become part of something. This something can be a new community within their world, another person, and something greater than themselves. When this occurs, there is a natural space for being included in the world.

Requirements

As you step into deepening your Yoga teaching you will be asked to be accountable and committed to the process. Ideally some of this would be in person if the location permits otherwise we will use technology to stay connected and complete the requirements.

  • Reading and study time
  • Weekly meetings
  • Attend observation of sessions
  • Teachback and practice sessions
  • Questions and answers

Prerequisites:

  • Completion of 200 hour YTT
  • Willingness to learn, engage and ask questions
  • Prepayment

Reading & Study

You will be required to read the following:

Discussion of each book will be scheduled once the mentoring begins.

The Benefits of this Mentoring Program

Mentorship is an important element of someone’s personal and career development. Having the opportunity to learn from someone else’s mistakes is a gift. Mentorship is meant to enhance your learning experience through one-on-one interactions with someone who possesses years of experience and knowledge. The relationship between mentor/teacher and student is one that can be both intimate and profoundly transformative.

In addition to learning what is outlined in the mentoring program, you will also receive from me:

  • Support and guidance
  • Opportunity to shadow and learn hands on
  • Ongoing mentoring and direction

Your Investment

When you choose to deepen your teaching and step into a heart based service to those with unique abilities you will not only become a more informed teacher but you will be touching the lives of others in a remarkable way.

This 12 week program includes weekly one hour mentoring sessions, six observation sessions where you will observe me teaching, and four opportunities for you to offer a teachback to build your confidence as an adaptive Yoga teacher.

Valued at over $1000, this program is deeply discounted with an additional 20% off for a limited time.

Cost: $750

To apply for this mentoring program, please complete the following application. There will be an interview once the application is reviewed the and mentees will be selected following the interview.

Adaptive Yoga Mentoring Application

* The hours accumulated throughout the mentorship can be counted as CEU hours for Yoga Alliance.

* fee non-refundable after two weeks of the mentorship starting. Once selected applicant and I will determine when mentorship will begin and a deposit is then required. After the 12 weeks of mentoring, ongoing coaching is available at a discounted rate for those who have completed the mentorship program.

Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life. Stacie is currently contracted across the country in a variety of residential programs for adults with traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities.

With over fourteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is a E-RYT 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.

Stacie brings her personal life experience of raising a daughter with a disability and over 12 years working in special education to her everyday Yoga classes. In addition to teaching classes in her studio and in the community, Stacie also continues to offer Yoga and Wellness coaching individually to those seeking private sessions.

Citrus Essential Oils and Emotions

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I love the brain and when I became a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, I learned so much science that validated what I was seeing with my yoga students who have brain injuries and cannot always easily express themselves. I saw quickly how their affect and attitude would change dramatically after smelling oils.

Curious as to why? Let’s get a little nerdy because you may be wondering how the Limbic System actually works. Well, let’s dive in!

As a person inhales an essential oil, the molecules of the oil go into the back of each nostril to the epithelium patch where the molecules attach to receptors on the cilia hairs. These convert to nerves that send the odor information to the olfactory bulb in the brain. This bulb communicates directly with the amygdala, hippocampus, and other brain structures.

Still with me? Good! Getting to the good stuff – promise!

The amygdala is the center for emotions in the limbic system and it links our sense of smell to our ability to learn emotionally. (Hello EMOTIONAL BRAIN)

The capacity to link information and emotions is why essential oils are such a powerful partner in creating and maintaining emotional health.

This is EXACTLY why smells will trigger memories more than seeing an image, tasting food, or even listening to music!

Some of the most popular oils to start to anchor your emotional brain are citrus oils, as they provoke happy, uplifting, and supportive emotions in most people.

What is your favorite citrus oil to grab and inhale?

Want to learn the basics of essential oils? Download this free eBook! You’re welcome!